Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-11-11

the flush that spread over neck and
forehead, despite the whitening. His
chance shot had told-hlt the white
indeed Joslinda swallowed hard, then
blurted out: what makes you say
thatP Anybody tell you anything?
I-I-never dreamed he-oh pshaw?
l mustn't talk foolishness. But l do
wish you'd tell him."
"What?" Basil asked very low.
"The-the TRUTH" Josllnda answered
as low. "You know-about me. And
you and Neddy-you're the one for
her-Pve known 1t ever so long-my
caution was all In fun. And you can
tell him, too; won't mind dressing
plain. l know what Scripture says
about gold and costly apparel. I'll
sell all the hen houses. I've been told
they are worth enough money to clear
of my mortgage-but you see, girl
has to look well unless she wants to
be an old maid"
"Of course" Basil returned, chuck
lingly Joslinda was obviously beyond
middle age. Still he owed her an
enormous debt Of gratitude. If she
did know Edna's HEARTH she had
spoken even half truth, he would take
heart to propose to his dear for the
magic seventh time.
In the Joyous relief of that under
standing he was ready for anything.
Nixon, the evangelist, was fine,
genial fellow, younger possibly than
Joslinda, but greatly In need of a
wife. Her plantation, mortgage free,
would be fine haven, whence he
could sally to fight the world, the
flesh and the devil. JoSIinda, minus
heirlooms, in clean, crisp cotton frocks.
would be comforting If not highly
decorative. Then there were the
bables--how she would cherish and
spoil them! For them, If nothing else,
the thing must go through.
Because this was sit-dOwn party,
not dancing one, the minister had
come to 1t. A whispered conference
with Edna, and 1t was no trick at all
to anchor him safely beside Josllnda,
In the secluslon Of the bay window.
II meant to use that myself" Basil
said, regretfully, with glance back
ward as they left the pair. "But l
can't begrudge the old girl anything
right now, when she is sacrificing her.
self to take a lion from my path"
"Goosel" was all EDNA answered,
but somehow Basil Stanley did not
resent the eplthet.
Then they drlfted apart, each doing
hospltable duty, but an hour later came
happily together Just as Joslnda and
her captive came from their curtalned
ambush, beamIng, walking as though
on air, so manlfestly bllssful way
faring man might see.
II wonder who proposedp Edna
asked aside.
"Parson beat her to it-by wills.
kerr" Basil whispered. "He was
all stirred up when asked him his
intentlons-told him 1t had been told
me that he was making love to JOS
linda-no wonder, considering what
she was--I myself realized that--so
unless he was serious-he stopped me
there with breathless grin, and
gasped: Dye really reckon she'd
look at meT Answered that as man
to man, she might--stIll I had some
acknowledgement having been married.
He grinned again: Wen see.' You
know the rest-which Is, 1t appears,
bliss"
Dear mel How rOmantlc!" Edna
flung back saucily. "StIll-I can't
quite pardon you-for destroying my
ideal Of consistency. Last time we
talked Of weddings and rings and
things, you ended by vowlng you would
die bachelor"
"That was because thought l
should never live to be married"
Basil quoted. but remember-that
was because also you said you wouldn't
have me-said 1t in all the moods and
lenses"
"JoslInda has been vowing the same
this ten years." Edna murmured.
softly. "But look at her now"
"Instead look at mellow And tell
me the change Of mind Is epldemlc,"
Basil said, possessing himself master
fully Of her mind.