The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-12


worthy OF the name is voluble when
he lays his heart and life in the hol-
low OF a woman's hand. Hollister
stammered through his lovemaking
like boy. As he Went Oh Miss Mer-
Ram turned away her face 50 that
the profile was toward him. The light
Of the fire flashed on the scar and i;
stood out in livid relief. As rule.
Hollister was not fanciful. but for al
instant the cash seemed the mockinc
mouth OF u demon stretched in Il fiend-
ish grin.
Hollister waited q 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 q movement
to take her hand she turned toward
him suddenly. and he saw that her
eyes were brimming with tears.
You are a brave man. Mr.. Hollis
ter" she said in u voice not quite
steady. Have you thought of this?"
Her fingers touched the scar with a
strange. half caressing gesture. Have
you thought what 1t will mean TO have
every passerby look NJ your wife pity
ingly and whisper as you passT'
Il love YOU" was HOLSTERS answer.
IF there Is hard thing In your life
II Is my right to share IT." Then his
head whirlei at the look OF sudden
alteration that leaped from her eyes.
"Oh. l wanted TO find a man like
you" Miss Merriam whispered. II
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. sobblng out her heart
In a burst OF exultant triumph that en-
raptured him without his understand
ing IL in the least.
When they said good night Miss
Merriam clung to her lover as II re-
luctant to let him out OF her sight.
Il must see you In the morning, dear
est" she said. You must spare me n
few moments" And Hollister. who
was looking forward to the separation
of a few hours as il IL 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
sprang 10 his feet. then stood staring
blankly.
An enchanting face smiled up at
him. face rosy with bushes. He
| saw the play Of the dimples and the
curve OF the cheek as II lie were look
ing on II for the first time. The scar
was gone"
My Godr' said Hollister helpessly,
| 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 a
| fascinating mixture OF timidity and
| confidence.
Forgive me. dearest Don't be angry
| with me for deceiving you. II you only
knew how tired l grew OF men who
| couldn't see anything I'm me TO love but
| my pretty face,. That little accident
| with my automobile was too good an
| opportunity to miss. and the scar was
L easily put on. An actress showed me
how TO do 1t. but l fiatter myself that
| after little improved upon my teach
er"
She smiled at Hollister shyly and did
not seem To find his silence diseourag
ing. Please don't say you like me bet
ter the other way. l almost grew tS
hate my beauty when IL blinded people
to all the rest in me, but now Im glad
to have II to give TO the man who loved
me for myself"
Several complexion specialists claim
ed the credit for removing the seal
that had ruined Miss Merriam's beauty
and reaped golden harvests thereby
But the beautiful Miss Merriam nevel
regained her title for the reason tina
her identity was soon merged in tina
Of the beautiful Mrs. Hollister.