Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-05-13

Q sole blue silk, and was very SIMPLY
made. Quickly she put Il back into
the wardrobe and took down = that
was just sufficiently old-fash:cned to
b. doWdy.
"Moily said | looked 90 in blue ard
30 in black" she whispered, as she laid
II on the bed.
Then she unfastened her hair. She
remembered some one once saying,
ITO part the hair in the center either
makes a woman look much older or
much younger than she actually is. |
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.
Then she put on the dowdy black
frock. Ugh! she did look plain and old
and commonplace. No man could
make love to a who looked like
that. And of all men, not David Moore,
for she knew so well that he liked a
oma to be good to look at.
Having finished her strange toilette,
she vent down TO her sitting and
waited. Fifteen minutes later her Wis.,
itor came.
Elizabeth saw him start and the sur
prised look in bis eyes as she held out
her hand to him and asked oSolly how
he had enjoyed his trip.
Are you i'll, Elizabeth" he said,
quickly, without answering her, and
looking a%nxiously at the face that had
changed almost beyond recognition
| since he last saw it.
NO, no. Why should I be ill?"
"You look so white and
"Old," she finished. We'll. | am
six months Older you must remember
since you went away, and | am not the
type of woma who wears well"
is anything the matter? Are you
in trouble?"
What should there be to trouble
me? | never do anything but have
u good time. | love excitement, and
all that sort OF thing"
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 ne how you enjoyed
your visit"
Fairly; but | was so anxious to &c,
heck 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
to her, you have not forgotten that
you said you would listen to M when
| returned. You know, without an,
an in the world to me. and that | wish
you for my wife"
Your Wife" she echoed, with d
sneering laugh. Thank you, no.
must decline the honor"
~"Elizabeth," and his face went
white as he held her hands tightly
wat do you mean?"
Just that she said. Il decline tn
honor"
Then" and he dropped her hands
and turned away. II had better go.
a q ConCeitcd fool. Forgive me. My
love for YOU has carried me too far"
"Ah, it does not matter. You viii
forget it as readily as | will. AM
perhaps, after all, it was my own fault
But you must always allow for a 0
ar changing her affections. 1t is
woman's way, you know
mo, | did not know" coldly.
"Why not? She may vary he
frocks-why not hey aifcctions?"
For heavens sake, don't talk lik'
that. You might be a heartless .iirt b.,
your tone"
Il hardly think | am that. for YOU
sex does not interest me sufficiently
But | am a Of the world, ant
not a silly, lOve-sick girl"
Il never imagined you to be a silly
. love-sicli girl. any more than
thought you as a woman OF the world
as you put it. Perhaps it will anus
you to hear that | was foolish enough
to think you werewolf, ~altogethe'
different
Yes, IL is rather absurd" she an
swered. driving her nails into her han'
as she stood up and held u her RICH
one to him. 'Good-by. There is n
need to extend this interview. BE
sides, ! am busy tonight. You viii
ycus. me"
He took her hand and held It tight
ly, as he looked into her tired gra.
ewes.