The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-05-18

and told the maid to put more coal on
the fire. She decided to postpone her
preparations of her illness until after
her visitor had gone. She would only
have time now to prepare herself for
the scene she must go through with
him.
After she had some tea she went to
her room. The frock she had chosen
to wear was lying on the bed. 1t was
sole blue silk, and was very simply
made. Quickly she put it back into
the wardrobe and took down one that
was just sufficiently old-fashioned to
be dowdy.
MOLLY said looked 20 in blue and
IS in black she whispered, as she laid
it on the bed
Then she unfastened her hair. She
remembered some one once saying,
ITO part the hair in the center either
makes woraan look much older or
much younger than she actually is. l
think, Elizabeth, that it makes you
look much older" Taking up the
comb, she carefully made 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. Ugh! 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 we'll that he liked a
woman to be good to look at
| Having finished her strange toilette
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
he had enjoyed his trip.
| care 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 be ill?"
you LOOK So Wulle and
"Old," she finished. "Well, am
six months older you must remember
since you went away, and am not the
type of woman who wears WELL"
lis anything the matter? Are you
in trouble?"
What should there be to trouble
me? never do anything but have
a good time. love excitement, and
| all that sort of thing"
| The man looked as if he was not
sure he had heard Alright.
NO" Elizabeth continued. 81 an
not really different, but you have beer
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 so anxious to ge,
back to London to see you again tha
did not think much about it. .You
know why I 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 thai
you said you would listen to me wher
l returned. You know, without any
| words. that you are the dearest won.
an in the world to me, and that wish
you for my Wife"
"Your wife!" she echoed, with q
| 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.
| 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
| leaned back in the cushions.
But she laughed again.
All, it does not matter. You will
| Aoi SCI ~ do lcctuliS DIS l viii. AuC
perhaps. after all, it was my own fault
But you must always allow for a WON
an changing her affections. 1t is
woman's way, you know"
| No, did not know" coldly.
| Why not? She may vary he1
| frocks-why not her affections?"
For heavens sake, don't talk like
that. You might be heartless flirt by
your tone.'
II hardly think l am that, for your
sex does not interest me sufficiently
But am woman of the world, and
not silly, love-sick girl"
II never imagined you to be silly
| love-sick girl any more than
| thought you as woman of the world,
as you put it. Perhaps it will amuse
you to hear that was foolish enough
to think you were-well, altogethe,
| different"
Eyes, it is rather absurd she an.
swered. driving her nails into her HAND
as she stood up and held out her right
one to him. "Good-by. There is nc
need to extend this interview. Be.