Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-02-27

i,erliaps-glasses! Horrors! Had it
really come to that? Well, she would
live in the old days, and pay no atten-
ton to eNternals
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 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 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. sis it really you?"
She smiled. and it was her old smile.
Eyes. Jack. it is /. You see, I 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 shaver, with strong jaw
and deep voice. His honest gray eyes
Toasted 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 well
for yourself and l 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 l have not
read. You ceased to write to me, but
l did not 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 suppose you will marry and
keep up an establishment? with a
pretense of lightness.
81 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."
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"
''If l thought that" said Ainsworth
breathlessly, 'I'd ask her in 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, .l've 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 1t, Lillian?'
Eyes, 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 darlingr' was all he
could say in trembling tones.
AS for Miss Treadwell 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 aud 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."