Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-05-12

much younger than she actually is. l
think, Elizabeth, that it makes you
look much older" Taking up the
comb, she carefully made a parting
down the center of her head and twist
ed 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 a woman who looked like
that. And of all men, not David Moore,
for she knew so well that he liked a
woman to be good to look at.
Having finished her strange toilette,
she went down to her sitting room and
wait I'd. 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
he had enjoyed his trip.
Are you i'll; Elizabeth" he said,
quickly, without answering her, and
looking anxiously at the face that had
changed almost beyond recognition
since he last saw it.
mo, no! Why should l be ILL.,"
"You look so white and"
old" she finished. well, l am
six months older you must remember
since you went away, and I am not the
type of oma who wears we'll"
rs anything the matter? Are you
in trouble?"
what should there be to trouble
me? never do anything but have
a good time. l love excitement, and
all that sort Of thing"
The man looked as if he was not
sure he had heard Alright.
NO." Elizabeth continued. Il 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 l was so 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 try
ing to remember.
Darling" he went on, coming close
IN bc,. Es1-o,, Loya yo,+ f1ro.o+fo, 5lo+
you said you would listen to me when
l returned. You know, without any
words, that you are the dearest wom-
an in the world to me, and that / wish
you for my wife"
"Your wife!" she echoed, with a
sneering laugh. '"Thank you, no. /
must decline the honor"
Elizabeth" and his face went
white as he held her hands tightly,
what do you mean?"
Just that" she said. 81 decline the
honor"
Then" and he dropped her hands
and turned away, Il had better go. l
was a conceited fool. Forgive me. Ny
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
leaned back in the cushions.
But she laughed again.
"Ah, it does not matter. You will
forget it as readily as l will. And
perhaps, after all, it was my W fault.
But you must always allow for a wom-
an changing her affections. 1t is a
Woman's way, you know"
mo, | did not know" coldly.
"Why not? She may vary her
frocks-why not her affections?"
For heavens sake, don't talk like
that. You might be a heartless firt by
your tone"
Il hardly think | am that, for your
sex does not interest me sufficiently.
But am a woman Of the world, and
not a silly, love-sick girl"
Il never imagined you to be a silly,
love-sick girl, any more than I
thought you as q woman of the world
as you put it. Perhaps it will amuse
you to hear that I was foolish enough
to think you were-well, altogether
different"
Eyes, it is rather absurd" she an
swered, driving her nails into her hand
as she stood UP. and held out her right
Il to him. "Good-by. There is no
need to extend this interview. Be-
sides, I am busy tonight. You will
excuse me-"
He took her hand and held it tight
ly, as he looked into her tired gray
eyes.
elizabeth, Elizabeth" he whis-
pered, what does it all mean? Have
you nothing kind to say to me?"'
Yes; forget me as soon as you can.
And-you will lose your beauty sleep
if you don't go quickly"
He dropped her hand and went out
of the house.
Her acting had been a success, too
much of a 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
levity. Yet, after all, it was better
thus; it 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. All! that look of con-
Germ in his eyes when he asked her IL
she was Ill. Whvv cou1dn't che haye
told him? 1t would have been so sweet
to have had his loving sympathy!
And if her operation was to be as
serious, and the result as fatal, as she
feared, was there not some way in
which she might, before it was too late,
wipe out the false impression she had
made tonight? She could not bear
the thought that he would think Bit
terly of her-afterWard. Surely IL