Okolona messenger., 1921-07-07
DULCIE,s HEART
By MoLLIE MArAER.


t@ 1921. Western Newspaper Union.j
Dulcie's heart was broken. She was
sure that 1t was broken, for she could
take no interest In anything, and her
music was all In minor key. This was.
serious with Dulcie, as teaching music
was her profession; and Aunt Dulcenia
Stebbins, for whom she was named,
had prophesied failure In her musical
venture when she left the lonely house
that had sheltered her from orphaned
childhood, and had gone into the city
to seek her fortune. Everything would
have run smoothly If Homer had not
appeared upon the scene.
Homer was the assured young man
who had recently broken Dulcies
heart. She had heard that travel and
change of scene were the remedies
most conducive to the healing OF
broken hearts, SO Dulcie gloomily
searched the advertising columns OF
the papers for some desirable destina-
tiOn.
ITO rent or for sale," she read, zone
farm cottage" situated at extreme end
of BOwman's vlllage-horse and COW
included in bargain" Now, house
at the extreme end of a sparsely pop
ulated village would appear to be re-
moved from the danger of association
with, or being deceived by, some dan
eerOusly agreeable man. Dulcie an
swered the advertisement. She hac
an idea of removing her piano to this
isolated spot, and pursuing the further
musical study she needed.
Dulcie warmed to her plan as she
thought of its possibilities, and she
determined not to return to the city
studio until her heart should be wholly
Indifferent to the humiliating pangs re-
Gently inflicted. Homer, by that time
would be married to the gay girl who
had supplanted her in his affection.
When the response to Dulcie's letter
came she ran blithely, for a young
woman of broken heart, to her room,
where she might Immediately pen her
answering letter of agreement.
The communication from the adver-
tiser was surprising. Dulcie frowned
over it, because in her new attitude
of bitterness toward the male sex, It
was disturbing to read so honestly dis
interested letter.
''He could not" this unusual renter
said, consider renting his old cottage
1 to solitary woman. For farmer
and his family the place would not
seem so desolate, he advised her to
look elsewhere. and he signed himself
"Bill DOane."
Dulcie sent a tart reply, to the ef'
feet that solitude was what she de-
Slred, and that she would arrive by a
stated train to look the place over
She inscribed herself In full, ''DulcenfS
Stebbins,' Back came hurried let
ter; Bin Doane would meet her with
the light wagon at the station when
she arrived. There was no auto OF
bus, he wrote, travelling In that d.
rectiOn. Dulcie felt the first sense Of
exhilaration she had known since HO
iner Stanleigh had so calmly acQuaint
ed her with his engagement.
She decided that she would not bt
able to get out to her cottage before
sunset. If she stopped to engage the
young housekeeper, and the picture o.
herself riding through a summer sun
set In a spring wagon by Bill Doane'i
side was adventurous and unusual.
The more desolate the cottage ap
penred to be upon approach. the bettel
DuIcie felt it would at in with hel
own mood, She hoped the young CIR
she engaged would understand caring
for a horse and a. COW. for Dulcie firm
" resolved to have no man helpel
about, not even a crude Bill Doa4e
She was pleased with her find Of com
p0niOn.
The big young daughter !, Of Bow
mans hotel keeper eagerly offered he
own services, and was ready to &C
company Dulcle to where Bill Doan'
had agreed to meet her. BE was Their
when they arrived. DuIcie recognized
him by the light spring cart, then sh'
flushed an indignant red, which amaz
Ingly turned to rose-cOlOred discomf
ture, at his engaging smile.
DuIcie had wished to meet no, man
this immaculate, pleasing. citifie'
young man was appalling. But MI
Doane also appeared surprised ant
doubtful.
!, II came TO meet Miss Dulcenia Steb
bins" he said doubtfulIy. "A woman
who rented my heirloom cottage upol
the hill"
DuIcie studied her shoes.
1t was evident that Mr. Bill DOan
had expected from her own spinster
like name, and the Independent tart
ness Of her letter, to meet a domlneel
ing elderly woman. All at once bot
the letter and her own solitary incllns
ton appeared unaccountably strange
II have an aunt" Dulcie suggested
deceitfully, "whose name Is also Dul
cenia Stebbins"
/ II see," said the pleasing young mar
"and you expect her out later1"
DulcIe nodded. mentally decidin
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