The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-01-28

crate fell full, upon her face. No man
worthy of tive name is voluble when
he lays his heart and life in the hcl-
low of a Nomans hand HOLSTER
stammered through his lovemaking
like boy. AS he went on Miss MeT
riam turned away her face so that
the profile was toward him. The light
Of the fire flashed on the scar, and il
stood out in liyid relief. AS a rule,
HOLSTER was not fanciful, but for an
instant the cash seemed the mocking
mouth of a demon stretched in d fiend-
igh grin.
HOLSTER waited a long time for an
answer to his question. Miss Mer-
RAMS face was averted, and he could
see that she was stirred by some strong
emotion. When he made a movement
to take her hand she turned toward
him suddenly, and he saw that her
eyes were trimming with tears
You are a brave man, MIR. Hollis
ter" she said in a voice not quite
steady. "Have you thought of this?"
Her fingers touched the scar with
strange, half caressing gesture. "Have
you thought what it will mean to have
every passerby look at your wife pity
ingly and whisper as you passY'
81 love you," was HOLSTERS answer.
eff there is a hard thing in your life
it is my right to share it." Then his
head whirled at the look of sudden
alteration that leaped from her eyes,
ooh, l wanted to find a man like
you" Miss Merriam whispered 81
was sure there must be such a one in
the world" And then she was in his
arms, with the poor, Scared cheek
pressed to him, sobbing out her heart
in a burst of eXultant triumph that en-
raptured him without his understand
ing it in the least.
When they said good night Miss
luctant to let him out of her sight
81 must see you in the morning, dear
est she said "You must spare me a
few moments" And HOLSTER, who
was looking forward to the separation
Of a few hours as if it had been as
many weeks, agreed. with a sudden
lightness of heart.
He wondered little when he came
next morning that she should keep
him waiting. His heart leaped at every
footstep in the hall for the first half
hour, and when at last she stole into
the room, closing the door behind her,
she took him by surprise. Hollister
To
blankly.
An enchanting face smiled up at
| him, a face rosy with bushes. He
saw the play of the dimples and the
curve of the cheek as if he were look
ing on it for the first time. The scar
was gone"
"My Godp' said HOLSTER helplessly,
and he dropped into a chair, his own
face dead pale. Miss Merriam ran to
him and dropped on her knees beside
his chair, looking into his eyes with 6.
fascinating mixture of timidity and
confidence
"Forgive me, dearest. Don't be angry
with me for deceiving you. If you only
knew how tired l grew of men who
couldn't see anything in me to love but
my pretty face! That little accident
with my automobile was too good an
opportunity to miss, and the scar was
easily put on. An actress showed me
| how to do it, but l fiatter myself that
after little improved upon my teach
err
She smiled at HOLSTER shyly and did
not seem to find his silence discourag-
| ing. please don't say you like me bet
ter the other way. l almost grew to
hate my beauty when it blinded people
| to all the rest in me, but now I'm glad
to have it to give to the man who loved
me for myself
Several complexion specialists claim
| ed the credit for removing the scar
that had ruined Miss Merriam's beauty
and reaped golden harvests thereby.
But the beautiful Miss Merriam never
regained her title for the reason that
her identity was soon merged in that
of the beautiful Mrs HOLSTER.