Smyrna times., 1907-12-25

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Leonora was the most fascinating
creature that ever brcathed. Every
body admitted that. How she had ever
managed to get past the twenties with
out yielding to the numerous sieres
lald to her heart was a matter of com
mon wonder. Now that the momentous
eve of her thirtieth birthday had ar
rived Leonora herself was wondering
about it.
She thought of the faithful Rob and
sighed. She thought of the imDulsive
Jack and laughed outright. She thought
OF the imperiOus Roland and lifted her
eyebrows. They werd remarkably beau
tiful eyebrows, and the eyes that look
ed frankly into hers out of the mirror
were bewitchingly merry and brown.
For few moments Leonora brushed
her wavy hair vigorously. Then she
twined it into long thick braid, said
good night and goodby to the twenty
nine-yeaGOd girl in the mirror, turned
out the light and jumped into bed.
Bother the whole bunchr she mutter-
ed sleepily. I'm never going to think
Of them again."
But she did. At least, go where she
would in her dreams, the persistent
Rob followed her. his wistful, admiring
eyes fastened upon her until it seemed
as If she could not stand it q moment
longer. Then Jack would appear from
seemingly nowhere and without any
polite preliminaries or regard for the
curious people around them, would be-
gin to tell her how he loved her, how
he lived but for sight of her. how he
Suddenly exit Jack and enter Roland,
the autocrat.
81 don't like the looks of that man
who was with you just now, my dear"
was his ultimatum. II don't want you
to have anything more to do with him.
Come; we will be married Immediately
won't stand any more trifing." And
then-oh, then. the rain began to pour
in torrents, and the wind blew a gale,
and she was all alone. and she lost her
rubber while crossing a muddy street,
and-well. so it went on and on through
the night.
In the morning the doctor was called.
Leonora had high fever and other
alarming symptoms.
Are you subject to attacks like
these" asked the young physician in
his most professional manner.
Never remember having had a doc
tor before in my life" LeOnOra answer
ed, smiling feebly. Then, fash of her
true mischievOus self flaring up for
moment, she added: But / think I'm
going to enjoy it. You're SO amusing
ly young aald. serious, DR.. TOrrence."
Perhaps it was just as well for Leo
nora that a sharp pain in her side pre-
vented her from expressing her obser-
vations more freely.
When the pain had passed the doctor
resumed his cross questioning.
do you recall any way you may
have taken cold? He put the ques-
/ tion this time in an almost jocular
tone
THAT'S better" commented LeonOra.
"The pain? I'm gladS'
mo; meant the-never mind. What
was it you asked?
DR.. Terrence repeated the question.
'Oh, yes. Why. lost my rubber
yesterday in the rain. Can you take
cold by wetting just one fOotY
The physician refused to commit
himself, Before LeonOra could get a
chance to push her inquiry she found
her mouth effectively stopped by a
clinical thermometer
That evening DIR. Terrence called
again. He found his patient not quite
so we'll and far less frisky.
ITS been such an endless day." she
told him. 1.-THE dreariest | ever knew
in my life. and it's my birthdayr'
ut doesn't look dreary with all these
beautiful flowers nodding their con-
gratulations."
congratulations" LeonOra groaned.
'Dr. Terrence. I'm thirty years old"
The doctor gave vent to hearty
laugh.
''You look about sixteen" he answer
ed gallantly.
| LeOnOfa nuSneu Idlnuy at the COLI
pliment, lifted one of her long braids
that lay over her shoulder and dropped
it again wearily.
'Its an awful tragedy" she in
formed him. ''You can't appreciate
it."
81 thought l did three years ago." he
answered. smiling at her gently. "but
I've found out since was mistaken.
why. you're just beginning to live
my dear"
The last two words he felt at liberty
to add by virtue of his three years
seniority plus bis professional priv
ileges.
perhaps So" sighed Leonora. "Only
1 feel more as if were going to die"
Indeed. for the next few days it