The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-04-28


woman look much older or much
younger than she actually is. I think,
Elizabeth, that it makes you look much
older" Taking up the comb, she care
fully made parting down the center
Of her head and twisted her hair into a
tight knob at the back.
The reflection that the mirror sent
back to her made her shudder.
Then she put on the dowdy black
frock. Ughl she did look plain and old
and commonplace No man could make
love to woman who looked like that.
And Of all men, not David Moore, for
she knew SO well that he liked a WON
an to be good to look at.
Having finished her strange toilet,
she went down to her sitting room, and
waited. Fifteen minutes later her Wis.
itor came.
Elizabeth saw him start and the sur
prised look In his, eyes as she held out
her hand to him and asked coolly how
be had enjoyed his trip.
Are you III, ElizabethT Ire said,
quickly, without answering her, and
looking anxiously at the face that had
changed almost beyond recognition
since he last saw 1t.
"No, mol Why should be illf"
you look so white and-"
"Old," she finished. "Well, / am six
months older you must remember
since you went away, and l am not the
type of woman who wears WELL"
"Is anything the matter? Are you
In trouble2"
"What should there be to trouble
me? ] never do anything but have a
good time. 1 love excitement, and all
that sort of thing"
The man looked as II he was. not
sure he had heard Alright.
NO." Elizabeth continued. II am
not really different, but you have been
accustomed to fresh young faces late
ly, and SO poor mine seems old and
withered In comparison. But please
don't waste the time In discussing my
appearance. Tell me how you enjoyed
your visit"
"Fairly; but was 80 anxious to get
back to London to see you again that
did not think much about it. You
know why / wished to be here by the
18th, Elizabeth"
She looked as though she was trying
to remember
Darling" he went on, coming close
to her, you have not forgotten that
you said you would listen to me when
returned. You know, without any
words, that you are the dearest wom-
an In the world to me, and that l wish
you for my WIFE"
"Your wifew she echoed, with a
sneering laugh. "Thank you, no.
must decline the honor"
'Ellzabethp' and his face went white
as he held her hands tightly, what do
you meanT
Just that" she said. 81 decline the
honor"
"Then," and he dropped her hands
and turned away, II had better 30. l
was conceited fool. Forgive me.
My love for you has carried me too
far"
Even in the half-lit room, Eliza
beth's face looked strangely white as
she put her hand to her side and lean
ed back In the cushions.
But she laughed again.
"Ah, Il does not matter. You will
forget 1t as readily as will. And per-
hnps, after all. 1t was my own fault.
But you must always allow for a wom-
an changing her affections. 1t is .
woman's way, you know"
mo, did not know" coldly.
"Why mott She may vary her frocks
why not her affectionsf"
"For heavens sake, don't talk like
that. You might be a heartless iirt
by your tone"
II hardly think am that, for your
sex. does not interest me sufficiently.
But l am a woman Of the world, and
not a silly, love-sick girl"
II never imagined you to be a silly,
love-sick girl, any more than thought
Of you as a woman Of the world, as
you put 1t. Perhaps II will amuse you
to hear that | was foolish enough to
think you were-well, altogether diff
ferent."
"Yes, 1t is rather absurd" she an
swered, driving her nails into her left
hand as she stood up and held out her
right one. to him. "Goodby. There is
no need to extend this interview. Be
sides, l am busy tonight. You will
excuse me-"
He took her hand and held 1t tight
ly, as he looked into the tired gray
eyes.
Elizabeth, Elizabeth" he whisper
ed, "what does 1t all meanf Have you
nothing kind to say to ome?"
"Yes; forget me as soof as you can.
And-you will lose your beauty sleep
If you don't so quickly"
He dropped her hand and went out
of the house.
Her acting had been q success, too
much Of & success, for not only had
he gone away with the idea that she
was Indifferent to him, but she had
forced him to despise her for her lev
ity. va, after all, it was better thus;
1t would be less difficult for him to
cast her out of his heart.
She certainly did look plain. Yet her
appearance had not made any differ
ence to him. Ali that look Of concern
in bis eyes when he asked her II she