Smyrna times., 1907-01-09

stupidity lent her a stammering tongue
George, Georgew she called after
him, but she entreated only an infexi-
BILE back. With Herbert's name on her
lips and Herberts ring on her finger,
she was indeed left committed to the
situation the last of her desiring.
Alexandra fiaunted Herbert Hartley
in Greenfield's face; she waved him
abroad like a banner. If the town
hummed with rumors of her, she help
ed the rumor wax, but helped it to no
explanation.
But with her family there was one
topic that, like the weapon used in
committing a crime, seemed always i'm
possible to dispose of. The nile green
tulle-why didn't she wear it? And
that was the one thing she couldn't do.
1t was their house dressmaker that
in measure vanquished her at last.
"One, two, three, "AmeaSured the wom-
an. That's only once and a quarter,
and I'll need as much again. Those
ruffies on your nile green underpetti-
coat-they're a match, Miss Alexandria
and we're in a hurry
Alexandra went into her room, shut
ting the door behind. The tulle hung
upon the hooks. with a kind of defiant
grace, as if it still held something of
its owners quality. She took the gown
down slowly and spread it gently out
upon the bed. How happy she had
been when she had worn 1.-THE last
time she had been happyl
She had meant they should have a
memorable evening, she and George
and the gown. And how had it so
fallen out? Coquetry? What did it
mean except that if it were good to be
with George it was a joy still subtler
to dance away with some one else
knowing his eyes held her, followed
her, and that for each the crowded
room held only the other? Provoca-
ton, alluring, half a mystery to her
self, it was like fold of the silk that
shimmered over its silk lining
She, slipped down upon the floor by
the bedside and began to rip the
| hounces. What was it he said that had
made her so angry? Her vanity was
as endless as her caprice. He shouldn't
have said it, and yet it was true
| enough. Well, she had warned him
| He was well rid of her. He had come
out of the matter with better grace
than she had, except about the ring
| No doubt it had been found long ago
1t angered her afresh to think how
stubborn he had been not to have tolC
her. The way to make her feel how
small she was was not to tell her so
that never served-but to take the bis
way and put her in the wrong by be
ing generous. If he had given her ;
chance, half a chance
The scissors shipped shipped. l
was thus she had laid a sharp tool OF
her happiness. She was cutting tn,
stuff, but what did it matter? She wa
always cutting and tearing somethin,
dear to her.
And the ruffies must come off, the.
said. She bent nearer. She might a
we'll tear and be done
What was this hard thing on whic
the scissors struck and caught? Not
| surely not In her hand lay the ring
"AlexaP' He had come at her urgen
summons, but hotly rebellious. An
yet Alexa, there before him-a curiou
figure hung about with green silk ru1
fies = Alexa, grieved, remorseful, poul
ing her heart out. How was 1t possibl
to Withstand her?
"And 1 suppose" he said, the rim
half back in Its place again-"I suppos
I'll have to marry you to save yo
FROM
But she would not let him speak tn
obnoxious name.
you'll have to marry me to save m