News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-01-18

lie flush that spread over neck and
forehead, despite the whitening. His
chance shot had told--ht the white
indeed Joslinda swallowed hard, then
blurted out: "What makes you say
that? Anybody tell you anything?
I--I-never dreamed he--oh, pshaw
| mustn't talk foolishness. But | do
wish you'd tell him.
"What?" Basil asked very low.
"The-the truth" Joslinda answered
$ low. you llnow-about me. And
YOU and Neddy- you're the one for
her-Ive known it ever so long-my
taution was all in fun. And you can
tell him, too; | won't mind dressing
han. | know what Scripture says
about gold and costly apparel. III
sell all the hen houses. I've been told
they are worth enough money to clear
off 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 a fine,
genial fellow, younger possibly than
Joslinda, but greatly in need of a
Wife, Her plantation, mortgage free,
would be a fine haven, whence he
could sally to fight the world the
flesh and the devil. J 'nda, minus
heirIooms, in clean crisp cotton frocks,
would be comforting if not highly
decorative. Then there were the
babies-hOW she would cherish and
spoil them. For them, if nothing else,
the thing must go through.
Because this was a sit-dOwn party,
not a dancing one, the minister had
come to It. A whispered conference
with Edna and it was no trick at all
to anchor him safely beside Joslinda,
in the seCluSion of the bay window
81 meant ito use that myself" Basil
said, regretfully, with a glance back
ward as they left the pair But
can't begrudge the old girl anything
right now, when she is sacrificing her.
self to take lion from my path"
Goose" was all Edna answered,
but somehow Basil Stanley did not
resent the epithet.
Then they drifted apart, each doing
hospitable duty, but an hour later came
happily together just as Joslinda and
her captive came from their curtained
ambush, beaming, walking as though
on air, so manifestly blissful way
faring man might see.
81 wonder who proposed?' Edna
asked aside.
"ParsOn beat her to it-by a whis-
kerr Basil whispered. "He was
all stirred up when l asked him his
intentionS-toId 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 Il GREATNESS grin and
gasped: Dye really reckon she'd
look at me| Answered that as man
to man, she might-still ! had some
advantage-not having been married.
He grinned again: Wen see You
know the rest-which is, it appears,
bliss"
Dear me. How romantic" Edna
flung back saucily. still can't a.,
quite pardon you-for destroying my
ideal Of cOnstancy Last time we
talked of weddings and rings and
things, YOU ended by vOwing you would
die a bachelor"
THAT was because I thought
should never live to he married" i
Basil quoted. "But remember-that
WAS because also you said you wouldn't
have me-said it 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 me-now And tell
me the change of mind is epidemic"
Basil said, possessing himself master
fully of her mind