The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-07

) her experience OF men was practically
nil; and certainly Thornley, was good
to look upon, On Ills part, lie fell in
love with Alison at first sight. She
was charming, adorable, with face a s
beautiful MS a picture. and the most
delightfully tantalizng staminer imag
! Unable. SHE was shy and rather nerv-
GUS with strangers; and It was quite
pretty to watch her some times, with
:. her red lips parted In vain attempt to
! produce the words which would not
:, come. With Gerald, however, she was
not in the least nervoiis--he had such q
4 kindly, sympathetic manner that Alison
4 always felt perfectly at case and hap
4 py with him
He was young man OF good birth
1 and position, SO that DR.. Collingwood
had no reason for withholding her
4 cnsent, though she expressed wish
4 that Alison would not marry before
she was twenty-one.
"She is such child she said to
Gerald, 80 much younger than her
age, that I am sure she ought to be
! left to enjoy her freedom little
] longer"
II don't want the darling to be
worried with housekeeping cares
Thornley, said. "But you know, am in
4 receipt of comfortable income, which
1 hope to increase as time goes on,
so that there is no reason why Alison
should not have jolly good time
| when we are married.
/ SThe doctor smiled indulgently. FOf
| course, quite agree with you"
I, She glanced suddenly and covcrtly'
! at Gerald; her eyes were gray and very
keen; one felt that little escaped their
I n inn Then She Id. Il
ALLISON, too. will have a by no
means inconsiderabe fortune Of her
own when she comes of age---about
eight hundred pounds per annum. to
| be dcfnite.'
I. Gerald flushed under his bronzed
skin. Yes, that is the one thing
hate to think Of wish she hadn't, II
4 penny. l wish she would be entirely
! dependent on me-"
DR.. Colltngwood laughed softly.
How quantity romantic and old-fash-
Toned OF you. my dear Gerald"
She often talked to him like that on
/ the strength of her ten years senior
ity. Men nowadays do not generally
consider 1t a drawback for their wives
to have money. l confess agree
with them money is never a disad
| vantage. What does 1t matter who
has 1t. so long as 1t Is there?"
You are.very good and generous 30
speak In that way" said Gerald, ear
/, nestly. "All the same am glad I
did not know that Alison had money
when I fell in love with her, or I
should certainly never have dared to
ask her to marry me-
Poor Alison! Well. know you love
her, or should not have given my
consent to your engagement"
%lo,, F,,1 @I,,, =,
| girl has such good friend in YOU
Gerald went on. she is so gentle and
sweet and yielding that she wants a
stronger character to lean on. She can
/ look up to you and depend upon your
guidance and advice"
II hope so. Have no fear, Gerald
she shall be well taken care of during
4 your absence.
i This conversation took place few
days before Geralds departure. and
some of 1t he repeated afterwards to
Alison.
Your cousin is splendid woman
he said. enthusiastically. II am sure
you could always depend upon her il
any time of doubt or difficulty"
Alison suddenly buried her face Ii
his rough tweed coat.
"oh, Gerald! you will come back
to me?"
"Of course will. dearest! My little
Alison is the magnet which will draw
me home again. Let me find you as
beautiful and charming when return
as you are to-day.
Am l beautiful" Alison's question
& was entirely childlike and innocent.
You have only to look in the glass
to answer your question satisfactorily
Thornley, said. kissing the lovely face
4 which looked so earnestly into his
Indeed. you arc very beautiful, Ali.
son.
Gerald, would you love me as much
If I were ugly?" she asked. wlstfully.
What a question! Alison ugly
Why, it would not be you then. sweet
heart. Oh. I am not going to think
about such an inpossibility But
own am a man who places a great
deal of value on feminine beauty.
Wasn't there a modern philosopher wh'
said 1t was the duty of every woman
to be beautiful? Some of them fail u
do their duty" he added, laughing.
Alison recalled his words as she sa
alone in the drawing room. and pres
emily she rose and gazed at the re
Election of her face in the mirror. He'
action was quite devoid of vanity; sh'
wanted to be beautiful for Gerald
sake. The glass gave her back a re
Election which pleased her Dame For
tune had been in no niggard moof
when she showered her favors on All
Son Arn,!tage.
suddenly Alison dropped on he
knees on the hearth rug. and claspet
her hands together In the attitude Q
prayer.
pear Mother OF Jesus" she PRAYED
..please let me be beautiful always pc
cause Gerald loves beauty.
IN 49, ton II r