Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-05-27
Her Second Self.
M07 RS. ST. GEORGE sat alone
jWUl before her low fire. in her own

cOzy sltting-room
Tonight, for the first time in her
two years of widowhood, Mrs St
George daid down the widows cap
which had for so long served to con-
ceel the thick auburn braids so arts
tically coiled about the small head.
Eighteen years had passed since she
and Leonard Grover had met. They
had been lovers in that far-off time:
but he was poor then, with no whis-
per In the air of the rich Inheritance
to which he afterward fell heir, just
too late for it to bring happiness TO
either.
She had married very young. She
was but 80 now. Would Leonard
find her changed, she wondered-he
whose coming she waited here to-
night
simultaneously with the thought
came the sound of carriage wheels
and horses hoofs on the graveled
path.
She started to her feet; pressing
both hands upon her fast beating
heart
She was glad-oh, so glad.-that
the room was dark when she heard
the quick, firm tread; so glad that
he could not see the quick blush,
which put her matronhood to shame,
when the door was thrown hastily
open, and three or four swift strides
brought him to her side.
t'Florancep'
Oh, how his voice thrilled her
half with pleasure, half with pain!
Are you glad to see me?" he ques-
toned.
She strove to answer; but her lips
quivered, and no words came.
Florence" he then said again, and
he bowed his handsome head lower.
is it too soon to speak?"
"Oh, Leonard" she answered, can
1 yet atone?"
And then the bridge Of years was
swept away, and she sobbed out her
happiness upon his shoulder.
Let me see you" he said at last
81 have not yet seen the face for
which L have hungered all these
years."
He struck a light, then turned and
loked at her.
MY darlingw he said. 'It is still
my beautiful Florence. What have 1
done to deserve this hour?"
Mamma, where are your" called
out a fresh, girlish voice at this in
slant.
The next moment a girl of scarcely
seventeen summers sprang into the
room.
This is my daughter, Leonard-my
only child. Maude, let me present
you to one of your mothers Oldest
friends"
The gentleman indicated looked
from one to the other-from the moth
er to the daughter-then back again.
Now he could realize the lapse of time
NOW he could appreciate the
changes years had wrought
The daughter was a fair counter
part Of the mothers beauty.
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
in his breast-a dumb warning against
the inevitable-an unacknowledged
desire to retrace life's pathway and
conquer time.
Meanwhile the girl pouted the full
red lips, as she thought her mothers
friend strangely absent; and when ht
at last forced himself into few
words Of greeting. they fell upon dull
unheeding ears.
Then she had gone. The lover:
were alone again; but he no longe
opened wide his arms, but instead
drew a chair to her side, that they
might discuss more nationally.
"You must teach Maude to low,
you," she said to him next morning
81 want first to reconcile her to m,
second marriage before startling he
with its probability. Tell me-do 20,
think her like me?"
"Your second self"
"Ah, 1 am so glad! You will low
her. then, for my saker'
To love, and to be loved! Ger cas-,
task set by frail woman in her blind
ness. 1t was Mr.. Grover who mus
be Maude/ companion in her dali