Bismarck daily tribune., 1908-12-29

made him brusque and cold. she had
visions OF bearded cheek and chin and
perhaps glasses. Horrors! Had It
really come, to- that Well. she would !
i've III the old days and pay no atten-
tion to externals.
When at last Lois announced that
MIR. Ainsworth was 10 the drawing
room she swept to her mirror and sur
veyed the graceful figure reflected
there. Her gown Of sea green fell In
shimmering folds Her hair was done
beautifully, and some Of the yiolets
were clasped in the silver girdle at her
waist. She could not fail to be salts
fed.
This consciousness helped her to en-
ter the drawing room with the perfect
self possession Of a woman Of the
world. With outstretched hand she
greeted him as IL they had parted but
yesterday.
Jack! How good Of you to some to
see me on my birthday and to send
me these lovely fewers!' turning to a
center table where the violets were
displayed.
! Jack Atnsworth gasped. Could this
elegant woman, with her perfect hair
and silyery voice, be his old friend?
| Lillian" he said, still grasping her
hand, sis it really your"
She smiled, and it was her old smile.
Yes, Jack, 1t is / You see, am
going the way Of the world =
Nonsense! You are perfect!' he
cried yehementiy. IS.
i She was no less charmed There was
no evidence Of beard or glasses, though
i the boy had grown into the man-tall,
athletic, clean shaven, with strong Jaw
and deep voice. His honest gray eyes
feasted on her beauty. She flushed
"Tell me what you have been doing
all these years, jack she said finally.
"Oh, working hard and following
i your careerv'
Eyes," she said, "you have done well
for yourself, and I am proud of you.
AS for my career, 1t has not amounted
to much"
1 Lillian" Ainsworth said, leaning
| forward eagerly, "do you know that
you have not written line have not
read! You ceased to write to me, but
| | did not forget, dear"
| Miss Treadwell had forgotten the
rain and the unfeeling publisher.
"Tell me, Jack, what brings you tc
New York;" she asked.
Il have been elected vice president
of the road and must live here" he re
piled. {
{. "Then i suppose you will marry and
keep up an establishment" with 9
pretense of lightness.
IT don't know" he said dubiously
'sThere never was but one girl for me
;. and she-she has achieved fame. She
would not think Of giving up glory te
become the wife of railroad man."
!. A feeling long dead woke in the wo
man. 'But she might be willing, Jack
IL you asked her." she said almos
Wistfully. "She might gladly give uI
all her false glory to find real happi
ness.n
II IF ! thought that" said Ainswertl
breathlessly, "I'd ask her in minute
She thought of the novel, Of tn,
: hack work, Of the loneliness of he
life which this friend Of the pas
brought sharply before her.
Jack" she said. 'I've decided
, she paused, then went on rapidly
lingering tie violets in her belt-"t
! give up literature for good"
7 Ainsworth started forward. do yol
3 really mean 1t, Lillian r.
Eyes, do she replied bsavely.
''But why?'' he inquired, doubling
: puzzled.
She looked up at him. and he read /
in her shining eyes.
He leaped forward and folded her Il
{ his arms, crushing the violets in hi
eagerness. My darlingy' was all b
e eould say in trembling tones.
Z As for Miss Treadwell, with tina
3 embrace came the realization that VIC
: man was not made to live on min
{ 1lone.
: Lois" she called after a little
bring me the manuscript of m
: novelv' She took it from the wonder
Ing maid and turned to Jack, with
radiant smile. Come she cried gay
l ly-'come to my study fire and bel
r me make dust and ashes Of my lii
t ,rary pretensions."
| 80 t.ss - B.