Warren sheaf., 1902-02-20

perhaps glasses! Horrors! Had it
really come to that? Well, she would
live in the old days, and pay no atten-
tion to externals.
When at last Lois announced that
Mr.. Ainsworth was in the drawing
room, she swept to her mirror and sur
veyed the graceful figure reflected
there. Her gown of sea green fell in
shimmering folds. Her hair was done
beautifully, and some of the violets
were clasped in the silver girdle at her
waist. She could not fail to be satis-
fed
This consciousness helped her to
enter the drawing room with the per-
feet self possession of a woman of the
world. With outstretched hand she
greeted him as if they had parted but
yesterday.
Jack How good of you to come to
see me Gu my birthday-and to send
me these lovely fowers,' turning to
center table where the violets were
displayed.
Jack Ainsworth gasped. Could this
elegant woman with her perfect hair
and silvery voice be his old friend?
Lillian he said, still grasping her
hand, sis it really you?"
She smiled, and it was her old smile.
'1es, Jack, it is I. You see, 1 am
going the way of the world
NONSENSE! You are perfectr' he
cried vehemently.
She was no less charmed There was
no evidence Of beard or glasses, though
the boy had grown into the man-tall,
athletic, clean shaven, with strong jaw
and deep voice. His honest gray eyes
feasted on her beauty. She flushed.
Tell me what you have been doing
all these years, jack she said finally
ooh, working hard-and following
your career
Yes she said, 'you have done we'll
for yourself and I am proud Of you
AS for my career, it has not amounted
to much.'
Lillian" Ainsworth said, leaning
forward eagerly, ''do you know that
you have not written line 1 have not
did not forget dear"
Miss TreadwelI had forgotten the
rain and the unfeeling publisher
Tell me, Jack, what brings you to
New York % she asked
Il have been elected vice president
Of the road and must live here" he re-
piled
''Then l suppose you will marry and
keep up an establishments" with a
pretense of lightness.
Il don't know" he said obviously.
'"There never was but one girl for me,
and she-she has achieved fame. She
would not think of giving up glory to
become the wife of railroad man.
A feeling long dead woke in the wo.
man. But she might be willing, Jack,
if you asked her." she said almost
wistfully. ''She might gladly give up
all her false glory to find real happi-
ness H..
''If 1 thought that" said Ainsworth
breathlessly, I'D ask her in a minute .
She thought of the novel, Of the hack
work. of the loneliness of her life
which this friend of the past brought
sharply before her.
Jack she said, ''Pve decided"-
She paused, then went on rapidly, |
lingering the violets in her belt, ''to
give up literature for good.''
Ainsworth started forward. "Do you
really mean it, Lillian?"
Yes, do," she replied bravely.
''But why?" he inquired, doubling, |
puzzled.
She looked up at him, and he read it |
in her shining eyes.
He leaped forward and folded her in
his arms, crushing the violets in his
eagerness. 'My darlingn' was all he
could say in trembling tones.
AS for Miss TreadweI with that en-
brace came the realization that woman
was not made to live on mind alone.
LOIS" she called, after a little,
'bring me the manuscript of my
novel" She took it from the wonder.
ing maid and turned to Jack with a /
radiant smile. Come she cried gay
ly-"come to my study fire and help me
make dust and ashes of my literary
pretensions."