Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-06-09

scraps clouded whole days. but Josie
scared above il all and found food for
laughter in IL.
Soon she gained the nam of Mas
cote inexperienced as she was. land
lords did not bully her, nor cabmen
~overcharge her. Her luggage did not
get lost. Even Influenza passed her by.
The leading lady was taken III and
Josie played her part, n made quite
a little success.
The manager OF a London theater
happened TO see her and was 50 favor-
ably impressed that he ave her a part
In his next production, in which she
more than fulfilled his expectations.
So within two years of Maryon's de-
parture Josie was on the road 10 be-
coming a well known actress.
About this time. the girls one day
chatting owe their lunch, were sur
prised by the receipt of q telegram
from their South African hero:
Arrived at Southampton. Expect
me tomorrow about s." read Barbara.
her eyes shining.
last" cried Josie exultantly.
He will never know me, Bah: will be"
You were the beauty then-and you're
pretty now, OF course. But ] was hid
eous. Look at me now" Barbara
looked, and for the moment hope died.
Those wonderful two years OF eman-
cipation. They had lowered the plain
girl with the lavishness OF a fairy god
mother. Happiness and success had
given a tinge of rose hue TO the once
pallid cheeks, a vivid carmine 10 the
smiling lips. So much Josie owed 10
nature. But art had taught her 10Y
to draw the one tousled faxen hair
out Of its dull bourgoise "fTiz" into
thick. shining bands over her ears, hid
ing the Door outline OF her face, and
seeming IN frnnCfnrrn IL into a dnlfnfnII9
oval; n art nae shown her that a
judicious darkening of those long but
painfully white eyelashes would make
those china blue eyes the jewels Of her
dainty face.
Both girls were absolutely certain as
to the result of Maryon's visit. Where
fore. ii came about that Barbara, in
a fit OF almost morbid shyness. kept to
her room as the fateful hour APP
preached; and Josie, ignorant of her
intention, fluttered about the little sit
ting Don her yellow hair shining like
gold above her gauzy black gown. her
fair face radiant with undisguised hap
piness.
DIR. Maryon!" came the eagerly ex-
pected announcement.
Josie glided forward, with out
stretched hands, watching to see the
handsome bronzed face light up with
establishment and loving pride. Then
a sudden chill came upon her. for
though he held out his hand TO meet
hers, he seemed cold and constrained.
Disappointment and the sudden check
made her feel almost hysterical.
"Why-whv, what is the matter%'
she cried, with a little laugh that was
almost a sob: don't you know me?
/ told Bah you wouldn't"
He whispered a few words and Jo-
sizes heart stood still as she listened.
Was ii for this that she had worked
and studied so many. many long davs?
For this that she had gloried in her
new-found beauty?
Her lover was blind.
The shock was too much for her
emotional nature. With a stifled
shrek she rushed from the room
Poor little Josie muttered the man,
standing where she had left him.
Then some one came noiselessly into
the room. and. putting a soft little
hand into his grasp. led the blind man
to a seat.
Barbara had nothing to say in the
face OF such a great grief: but the
touch of her gentle hand found the
sweetest Of echoes iu Maryon's heart.
In silence he kissed her. Her tears
still fell, but her soul was full of JOY.