The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-05-13

have time now to prepare herself fol-
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
a 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 I locked 20 in blue and
SIS 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 e woman look much older OIL
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.
The reflection that the mirror SEM
back to her made her shudder.
Then she put on the dowdy blact
frock. Ugh, she did look plain and ole
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
woman to be good to look at.
Having finished her strange toilette
she went down to her sitting room anC
waited. Fifteen minutes later her Wis
itor came.
Elizabeth saw him start and the sur
prised look in his eyes as she held gu
her hand to him and asked coolly how
he had enjoyed his trip.
Are you i'll, Elizabeth" he said
Quietly, without answering her. ant
looking anxiously at the face that hat
changed almost beyond recognition
since he last saw it.
No, no! Why should l be ill?"
"You look so white and"
odd" she finished. We'll, l an
six months older you must remembe
since you went away, and am not tn
type of woman who wears well"
us anything the matter? Are yo'
in trouble?"
what should there be to troubl
me?' | never do anything but hav
a good time. l love excitement, an
all that sort of thing
The man looked as if he was no
sure he had heard Alright.
NO" Elizabeth continued. Il an
not really different, but you have beel
accustomed to fresh young faces late
ly, and so poor mine seems old an
withered in comparison. But pleas
don't waste the time in discussing m
appearance Tell me how you enjoye
your visit
Fairly; but | was so anxious to sc
back to London to see you again tina
| did not think much about it. Yo
know why l wished to be here by tn
18th, Elizabeth"
She looked as though she was try
ing to remember.
Darling" he went on, coming clos
to her, you have not forgotten tina
you said you would listen to me whe
| returned. You know, without an
words, that you are the dearest WON
an in the world to me, and that | wis
you for my wife"
Your wife, she echoed, with
sneering laugh. Thank you, no.
| must decline the honor"
elizabeth and his face wen
| white as he held her hands tightly
what do you mean?"
Just that" she said. 81 decline tn
honor
Then" and he dropped her hand
and turned away, Il had better go.
was conceited fool. Forgive me. Nj
love for you has carried me too far"
Even in the half-lit room, Eliza
beth's face looked strangely white a
she put her hand to her side an
| leaned back in the cushions.
But she laughed again.
| "Ah, it does not matter You wi
| forget it as readily as l will. An
| perhaps, after all, it was my own faul
But you must always allow for won
an changing her affections. 1t is
woman's way, you know"
mo, l did not know coldly.
why not? She may vary he
frocks-why, not her affections?"
For heavens sake, don't talk lik
that You might be heartless flirt b
your tone"
Il hardly think l am that, for you
sex does not interest me sufficient.
But | am woman of the world, an
not silly. loye-sicll girl"
Il never imagined you to be a sill.
love-sick 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 enoug
to think you were-well altogethe
different"
Yes, it is rather absurd she al
swered, driving her nails into her han
as she stood up and held out her rigf
one to him. "Good-by. There is 4
need to extend this interview. B
sides, | am busy tonight You wi
excuse me-
| He took her hand and held it tigh
eyes.
/ Elizabeth, Elizabeth" he viii
pered, what does it all mean? Hay
you nothing kind to say to me?"