Smyrna times., 1901-02-20

of 45, tall and slender, without trace i
of silver in his hair, or any lack of fire Z
and ardor in his soft, black eyes of his
full, red lips. He was perfect speci- [
men ofwell preserved middle-age often s
more attractive to young girls than the
immatureness of 25. The young friend S
alluded to was small. plump creature
of no more than 18, bud of the sea-
son lust inaugurated by Mrs. Blair's
ball.
Mrs. Blair smiled assent and intro
duced Mr.. Nicholson to Miss Morton.
A few pleasant words, an examination
of her card, and the two were floating
around the room in one of the most
delicious Strauss waltzes.
That evening, and for many even
ings, Carter Nicholson was the shadow
of pretty Alice Morton. He seemed |
unable to tear himself from her side;
to keep his eyes from her face. Yet
his manner was the strangest mixture
of absorbed devotion and tender, pro-
tecting care. One might have thought
him an elder brother had it not been
for the CLEAN of passion in his rest
less black eyes. Yet there was a
strange element, even in that it was
no ordinary lover passiOn-something
deeper, more tender, more full of idol
izing love lay behind it all. A love,
reverent as one would feel for dear
one long dead, shone in his deep black
ewes, rang in ever tone of his full,
deep voice.
And the girl? Timid at first, shrink
ing even so little from his caresses, she
came at last to return his ardent
glances with those of perfect love and
faith; to trust him; to lean upon him
in a way which was simply bewilder
ing to those who knew her inpepend-
ent character and almost cold terms on
which she lived with her adopted
father and mother.
Mr.. and Mrs. Morton had taken her
when she was a mere babe. Her
the death of her husband, a captain n
the Pennsylvania Regiment, to whom
she was devotedly attached, and the
homeless, friendless little one was
adopted by Mrs. Morton, who had
fallen quite in love with her pretty
baby face and cunning ways.
The childless couple had cared fOl
her; loved her as their very own, had
lavished money and gifts on her; yet
while always treating them with per
feet respect and unquestionlng obed
ience, it was only too evident that sh'
had no real love for them, and they haC
come to consider it as just "Alice'
way" Now it was a revelation t.
them, and a very unwelcome one, o
the depth of tenderness, the capacit.
for loving, that had always been 81
well hidden under her cold, careles
manner.
Before the end of the season, Carte
Nicholson had asked for and obtaine
the hand of Alice Morton, and tn
wedding day was fixed for the frs
of June.
before, quite so inseperable as tn
one. From the earliest hour of til
day permitted by Mrs Grundy, unit
the very latest minute sanctioned b
the autocratic dame, the two were tC
gether. The deepest, tenderest 10y
for each other was manifest in ever
look, every action; yet, somehow,
the watchful eye of the puzzled frien
there seemed something lacking In Il
tender kisses, the protecting clasp
his arms, in her confding, rushir
glances. At last Mr.. Morton spoke.
Nicholson" he said, one evenin
when they were alone only few da
before the wedding day, ''you are t
queerest lover L ever knew. Pom n
word, a stranger would sooner ia
you for Alices father than her love
OF course, you are more than twl
her age; l suppose that really does
plain it. But it seems queer, Nigh
qUeerp'
The puzzled look in his frank, gr
eyes seemed family reflected in I
soft, black ones looking into his; /
it was only for moment. Mr.. Nl'
olson laughed frankly.
81 must confess" he said, II
quality of my love for Alice has son
times puzzled even me. But, of cour
the difference in ones age sufficlen
accounts for it,
Then he led the talk to other m
ters, and both forgot it. The n
evening, as Alice entered the drawil
room, he noticed the flowers she v
wearing.
''Why do you always wear pur
primroses?" he said. ''They are
uncommon flower; their feint scent
Rcarcnlrr a.ronI oranIln.h 70 LaalLa tl