Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-16

Charlotte Updyke sat before the low
dressing table. gazing earnestly at her
charming reflection in the mirror.
II am twenty-seven years Old she said
aloud. ''and ! have been teaching school
five years. 1t is estimated that each year
of teaching adds two years to u woman s
appearance. According to that. 1 must
look at least thirty-two. and as woman
was never known to claim more years than
belong to her. the old gentleman will grant
me at least thirty-five, and otherwise think
! answer the requirements"
She stretched our her arms YEARLY. ION
i do hope / may please him! 1t doesn't
seem as if ! could go back to Sadfeld
again. II isn't the teaching-I enjoy that
It's being SO alone and homeless. 1t is
enough to make one prematurely gray
even to think of that boarding housed!
And Miss Updyke actually shuddered.
Let me read the old gentlemans require
mCuts once more" She took up news
paper clipping Il! 4 read aloud: Wanted
a refined, educated lady. of cheerful dispo-
stion. between Jhirty-hve and forty. to act
rs Chaperon to two mptherlcss glfis. LID
cral salary and luxurious home Tor the
right person"
She had secured the position. condition
ally. 10y correspondence. Now she was
making ready for a PERSONAL interview
She addressed the beautiful reflection in
the mirror with serious admoniton, Now,
Charlotte, make yourself look staid ana
mauonly also cheerful; and may your
good angel go before your
She parted the soft, dark hair smoothly,
allowing it to droop little over the tenn
pies and dOuned simple gray dress, with
plain linen collar and cuffs and black tie.
Il look as If ] had stepped out from some
antique frame" she commented with salts
faction.
The remark held some portion of truth,
but If Miss Updyke thought she added TO
her apparent age she was laboring under
a delusion The quaint arrangement of her
hair and the severe costume served oIiy
to call attention to her extreme beauty and
TO emphasize her girliSh appearance.
This was the opinion of Mr.. Gordon Blair
when she was ushered into his beautiful
library a few hours later.
rs this Mrs. Updyke? he asked, as he
rose to greet her slight suggestion OF
surprise in his tone.
She bowed gravely, without correcting
the error in title.
Il came to see Mr. Gordon Blair l have
called by his appointment
Yes. | know Pray he seated, Mrs. Up
dyke. l am Gordon Blair
She repressed an exclamation of surprise
She had pictured Gordon Blair as an elder
" man with grown daughters, and had
fancied he might lie naughty and difficult
to please. This man was barely thirty,
with pleasant, manly face, and frank
You are a much younger woman than
] had expected. Mrs. Updyke
oh ! am very old. / assure YOU" has
tily much older than I look!'
Perhaps" smiling kindly, but 1 am
pleased that You are younger. Since in
sorting the advertisement in the papers. l
have made discoveries that somewhat mod
ify the requirements for the position. l
have found that my poor little girls do not
know how to play. What can you play,
Mrs. Updyke?'
Play? DO you mean on what musical
Instrument
mo; games"
oh in a relieved tone smiling slightly
well, anything from prisoners base to
pony polo
You ride. them
Eyes. and row, and swim. I have Il rec
ord at golf; l can drive a four-in-hand, and
manage a sailbOat."
Her face was bright and eager. and Cor
don Blair smiled approvingly as he watch
ed her.
She had evidently forgotten her claims
to antiquity.
Rather an unusual list Of accomplish
ments for an elderly lady, isn't it?" quiz
zcally.
Not today" with dignity; this Is the