Smyrna times., 1902-03-26

perhaps-glasses! Horrorsi Had It |
really come to that? Well, she would |
live in the old days. and pay no atten-
ton 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 salts
fed.
This consciousness helped her to
enter the drawing room with the per-
feet self possession of 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 on my birthday-and to send
me these lovely flowers" turning to a
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. lis it really you?'
She smiled. and it was her old smile.
~ es. Jack. it is l. You see. | am
going the way of the world"
NONSENSE! You are perfect" 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.
| "Oh. WORKING hard-and following
! your career"
Yes" she said. you have done well
for yourself and | am proud of you.
As for ny career, it las not amounted
to much"
Lillian" Ainsworth said, leaning
forward eagerly. do you know that
you have net written a line | have not
read. You ceased to write to me. but
Id net forget, dear"
Miss Treadwell had forgotten the
rain and the unfeeling publisher.
Tell me. Jack, what brings you to
New York; she asked.
81 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 establishment" 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 tC
become the wife of railroad man."
\ 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 III
all her false glory to find real happi
ness"
''If thought that" said Ainswortl
breathlessly, I'D ask her in a minute
She thought of the novel, of the hacl
work. of the loneliness of her lif,
which this friend of the past brough
sharply before her.
Jack" she said, give decided
She paused, then went on rapidly
lingering the violets in her belt, 1T
give up literature for good"
Ainsworth started forward. DO yO'
really mean it, Lillian|
, Yes, | do" she replied bravely.
, But why?" he inquired, doubling
puzzled.
She looked up at him, and he read
: in her shining eyes.
He leaped forward and folded her /
J. his arms. crushing the viOlets in hi
. eagerness. My darlingr' was all b
= could say in trembling tones.
= AS for Miss Treadwell, with that en-
brace came the realization that woma
was not made to live on mind alone.
Lois" she called, after a littl
= "bring me the manuscript of III
: novel," She took it from the wonde
ing maid and turned to Jack with
radiant smile. Come" she cried ga,
= ly-"cOme to my study fire and help Il
make dust and ashes of my literar
pretensions."