Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-10-27

i
yourself, Valerius."
| IT'S too late.'
How do you know?" Olive Dunn
barton persisted. her low. gentle voice
full of earnestness. You have talent,
though in what direction it lies l can't
say. You have seen the world. You
have rich stores of experience. There
are your materials. begin to use them.
make career for yourself"
AT my age?"
Now is the time when your gifts are
ripe. Do something which will advance
your fellow men. That way lies hap
! piness."
II was born lazy"
NO: but you were spollt by having
from the first, more money than you
Ineeded."
You are wrong; it was not that
which spoiled me" he answered. mean
ing which she could not mistake. UNDER
Lying his words.
| And once more silence fell upon the
table. While Galbraith emptied his
glass. and faint color crept into
Olive Dumbarton's face.
4 Presently she rose, saying:
\ Would you not rather smoke your
cigarette with US in the drawing room,
than sit here alone?"
| Very much" he responded quietly,
and he rose likewise.
There was something Of regret and
|self-reproach I'm his voice which she
understood and appreciated. The low
rooted, yellow-walled drawing room,
was half in shadow as they entered.
and both felt glad of the repose it lent.
A glow of freight fiickered on the
painted tiles of the hearth. beside
which they seated themselves. Mrs.
Dumbarton with an air of languor.
Her figure was rather .all and some
what thin, but without angularity, and
with a grace of movement that was a
charm in itself. Her face, more long
than oval with irregular features, and
a sallow complexion, was lighted by
large. gray-blue eyes, thoughtful al
most to gravity. intelligent, inquiring.
trustful, and SO clear that one seemed
to look through them into soul stirred
by many longings; truthful. aspiring,
honest and pure, dreading no scrutiny.
harboring no evil. desiring but good.
The thick masses of hair brushed from
her wide forehead were lightly
streaked With gray above the temples.
She declined the coffee when served.
II dare not drink it after o'clock,
or l should be stretched all night upon
a rack" she explained.
OF thought?" he suggested, raising
his eyes to hers.
Yes, l sleep badly"
Il felt sure you We're unwell. You
have worked too hard"
Il am always like this when have
come to the end of a book, writing is
such strain upon the nerves."
Il have seldom seen you look so ILL.,"
he remarked gravely.
For the past week have been ter
rfbly depressed without apparent cause
The very silence of the house weighed
upon me- The atmosphere doomed full
of tragedies; 1T seemed as if something
nj
ment, or every hour"
Over wrought nerves. wish you
were both coming with me to Egypt.
Think of it. I'll put off my journey
to suit your convenience, 1t will do you
all the good in the world. Comet"
and may run over to Paris, of which
"The present is the time you most
need change" he urged earnestly.
How delightful. We should see the
pyramids and camels and the DESERT"
said id, Veronica, her face Frightening.
There are many reasons why cam
not leave home at present." replied
the authoress. Perhaps next YEAR.
Better come now" interrupted Va
!erius. Who knows what may happen
between this and next year?"
Who knows?" she repeated absent
do come"
Il cannot. And now. Veronica, your
hour has struck" said Mrs. Dumbarton,
looking at the clock.
The girl rose without murmur.
Good night. mother DEAR" she said.
Good night. my darling. and may
God bless you!"
by to me-" said Galbraith. as bending
down he kissed the girls forehead.
ITO think" said Mrs. Dumbarton, as
the door closed upon her daughter,
that she is just seventeen-that age
at which I was married. 1t was wrong
to sanction such q marriage; what was
l but child who did not know my own
mind?"
But nothing would dissuade you
from marrying him. Surely you can
not forget how tried-how your
mother-"
Yes. know" she replied with a
movement of Impotence, ana how
have suffered for my obstinacy The
punishment seems out of proportion to