Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1907-10-18

was originally my own. 1t is so long
since we last saw each other that
felt sure changes must have occurred
in me which might possibly not &C.
cord; might, indeed, quite possibly
prove absolutely antagonistic to
changes which time and distance
must have wrought in her.
Il decided, therefore, as my ap-
pearance has been completely
changed since I sat for the last photo
/ sent home-I have grown a beard
and mustache-to join this boat at
Port Said, and get to know Made
lines disposition and tastes, and, if
possible, the view she took of her ap-
preaching marriage with me, with
out her knowledge of my identity
1t was not quite scrupulous, know,
but surely the end justifies the
means, for any steps which might be
taken to obviate a possibly unhappy
marriage were as fair to her as to
myself, and so justifiable.
II thank heaven that l have done
what | have done. If have suffered
q sense of meanness / have suffered
thousand times more intensely by
the revelation made to me.
And the result?
Il had not been aboard more than
! an hour when l saw her, and the
sight of her dear But | am
barring sentiment in this letter.
recognized her, of course, and it
seemed to me she was of more at
tractive appearance than ever. But
the change within her! Well. she is
just the same bright, witty girl, with
all the dear old ways, the same de-
lightful smile.
She is as young as ever, but She
is UNNECESSARILY changed, for alF
that. She has flirted with me most
fiercely for days past, and / honestly
believe, vanity apart, that she cares
for me little 1 offer her that OK
cuse for the way she has thrown her
self at me. Yet at the same time ii
ruins her in my eyes. Constancy-
surely that is womans greatest yir-
tue! And this Madeline is as incon-
slant as the wind.
II tested her on the question OF
our marriage to-day, and the result
was extremely painful. 1t is quite
clear to me that she is coming out tn'
marry John Mervin-I am registered
as James Murchinson-only in full
fillment of her promise to do so, and
rhn haf Il ~d IN ho
hand is worth two in the bush. In
deed, she practically told me so. And
l feel convinced that she would as
lief marry James Hutchinson as me. -
That very evening he arrived at
the crisis, with Miss Madelines cor
dial cooperation.
They were alone together in a cor
ner of the upper deck. which was
shaded from the bright moonlight
She had inveigled him there. of
which fact he was perfectly con-
scious. She was unusually grave and
taciturn. At length she betrayed the,
secret of her mood.
81 have been thinking over what
you said this morning" she volun-
teered, with a long, soft sigh. I'm
afraid you consider it rather repre-
hensible of me to make this vova &c
to marry man I no longer love-"
ut is scarcely fair to him or tor
yourself" he answered in hard
voice, after a pause. Nor is it fair
to any other man who may love you.
and might make YOU happy; who
would endeavor to his most to 90
So"
but what can 1 do" she MUIR
INJURED, rising slowly and advancing
to the rails You have shown me
it is wrong" she added. when he
Joined her. "Can you tell me what
would be right?"
She stretched out an arm languid-
ly, and laid her hand on the rail UNI
der his very nose.
After a moments hesitation he de-
cided he had no alternative to cover
ing it with one of his own, and he
leaned toward her.
Mad = Miss Havers,' he whis-
pered, in a hollow voice, "will-wilI
you marry me if 1 can convince you
that my rank and position are salts
factory?"
She drew close to him, and invol-
UNFAIRLY he took her in his arms.
You love me?" she asked timidly,
fitting her face up to his.
To evade the question, which need
ed consideration, he kissed her.
She sighed deeply, and half turned
away as his arms relaxed
Il must say" she murmured gent
ly, apparently addressing the moon.
"a nice soft beard and mustache give
delightful piquancy to a kiss She
turned back to him again, with
blushing face and downcast eyes, as
he drew hard. deep breath. Don't
| You think you've been silly long
enough, Jack? Do you fancy beard
and mustache can disguise a man
| from the woman who loves-is very
| fond of him? | should know YOU in
/ 4 monks cowli l knew you instant
| ly, and almost betrayed my recogni-
ton before I understood your plan
| NJ III - ACAt OuI lnSA L
knew you only did it because YOU
loved me, and for that | could for
! give anything
1t is doubtful whether he heard
what else she had to say just then.
for her words were mumbled into his
| Hateful beard and mustache. Lon
| don Answers.