Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-02-14

| she should have forgotten the fact, Mrs,
Overton reminded Emily that she was
a proper spinster. It was then that
Emily spoke the words II smiled and
turned way her head.
What was that you said?" demanded
the old lady. "What-what did you say?"
But Emily had been too well coached
in her new character OF mysterious ro-
mantle to fall into the error of repeat
ing herself. She collected the black bag
of American cloth which contained her
apron and passed out of the cottage
without a wore
Mrs. Overton. curious MS a maybe,
hoped after her as far as the gate and
stared at the retreating Emily in her
dress of solemn black which had sud
denly assumed a new significance.
Now Mrs. Overton was no fonder of
walking than is any other woman OF
seventy eight years, but this fact not
withstanding she made a tour of the vii
lage with an a~lacrity no one would nave
supposed possible. Not readily would
she have r~elinquished the satisfaction of
being first to spread the amazing rumor.
At the first few cottages she did little
more than repeat the conversation which
had taken place in its actual form, but
as fatigue told upon her aged limbs each
subsequent visit became more and more
protracted, which put her to the neces-
slty OF embroidering the facts with al
legged condolences that had been made to
her and private opinions which hither-
to discretion had forced her to withhold.
If I'm no, good for nuthin' else" she
said, lat least l can reckernize signs of
a broken cart. I never ave believed
Emily was a natural spinster cause I
appen to know. by ways that ave
nothin' TO do wi any one else, that 1t
was at Wipers he fell. An a 'andsome
lad she added, never joined the
colors.'
From a cottage kitchen to the bar
parlor news travelled swiftly. Within an
hour of Mrs. Overton's first visit the ro-
nance of Emily Booker was the sole
topic OF conversation.
Henry Wigley, who had served as a
corporal in the East Sussex regiment,
darkly limited a personal acquaintance
with Emily's sweetheart. 1t appeared
delirium of battle-a voice suddenly
choked by a sob of pain.
Emily he says-and again Emily
Then that shell bursts an all was
silent"
From behind a blue cloud of tobacco
smoke some one inquired skeptically,
" 'Ow d'you know 1t were Emily Booker
e. meant?"
LOW d'you know it weren't?" was the
unanswerable retort.
Old Ned Parkin, the cowman, rumbled
low over his pint.
That pore soul as the look o. lorst
love in her face. an if I've said that
oncet I've said it a 'undred times"
He hadn't, but no one denied it.
IT'S a grand shame for a m like
that to die single said Wigley. Still,
no man wants to obtrude on a woman's
sorrer.'
1t was Franklin, the landlord OF the
Goat and Compass, himself a widower
and a man Of substance, who voiced the
first word Of personal praise about
Emily.
Cooks beautiful, she does said he.
Cooks you could eat your dinner off Of
that woman's 'ands."
Others developing the theme. put it
on record that she was "wifely built
and "comely" and apart from a certain
sadness OF mein which a little male COM
pany would surely relieve. was as well
featured as any woman in the parish"
Abandoning his usual custom Of stay
ing in the bar until closing time,
Franklin, the landlord, handed oevr to
the pot boy and putting on a clean col
lar, his Sunday hat and a trustworthy
cigar, went for a stroll down the Lewes
road.
He was surprised to find quite a mum
Der of loungers were similarly employed
and it was some while before he found
himself alone in that usually deserted
th~oroughfare. Drawing near the cottage
,l.o~1 Lrx,,1 D~@lr@- 11I-AI - .. -
joiced to observe that she was in the
front garden cutting off dead blossoms
with a pair of rusty scissors. She was
unaware of the approach of Mr.. Frank
lin, who, being a cautious man, did not
announce himself but paused in the
roadway to inspect under favorable con-
ditions.
Now, Mr.. Franklin, like many another
good publican, had gone through life
with his feet we'll planted on the ground
and his head untroubled by poetic fan
cy. Thus 1T was strange that he should
have discovered In Emily's occupation a
c~uriously suggestive significance. For
was she not clearing her garden of death
and decay to give space to new beauties
and entertainments? The idea captured
his imagination to such an extent that
he failed at once to notice that Emily
AAfiA Npo eloAAC lCl AtS dlI0
was wearing a print overall of a most
agreeable color. Realization OF this won
der came upon him SO suddenly as to
excite an imprecation of amazement.
We'll, dang MEL he said.
Emily Booker turned her head and
nodded.
"Evenin', Mr.. Franklin"
Mr.. came a step nearer over
ground that seemed to tremble An I'M
familiar agitation put him to the need
Of rasping his throat mercilessly. Lost
for something to say, he remarked, II
were just takin' a stroll along"
Its beautiful out" Emily replied,
and feeling her knees beginning to go,
sat down suddenly on an inverted rain
barrel.
Taking his courage In both hands, Mr..
Franklin stepped boldly to the gate and
resting his elbows upon it, blurted out,
That war were a terrible thing"
AT those words the soul of Emily
Booker wen soaring up to heaven.
so 1t were, but hats old history
she replied with admirable indifference.
The landlord of the Goat and Com
pass pushed his hat off his forehead.
Secret history belize" said he, dark
ly.
h was plenty about it in the pa
pers at the time" she answered.
Maybe some Of 1T never got as far
as the papers," he said, INT added,
never got no farther than a woman's