The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-02-15
Ills WOman's Whole
Existence
By AIma sorIven

he had thought OF her, and yet how
vivid, now that he saw her again, was
the recollection Of their farewell
scenel 1t was at a dance-was 1t at
this Identical house? He could not be
certain about that, but what he could
remember most clearly was the little
hand that had trembled as he pressed
eyes. usually so full Of laugh
ter, that had flled-had she wept, or
was he confusing her with. No. As
the incident stood out mor clearly in
his memory, he recalled the admira-
ton he had felt for the girls self-com-
mand.
Poor little girl! How %innocently she
had shown her preference! What a
brute he had been to play with her
as he had done all through that sea
son-her first season, too!
For he had never meant anything
serious. She was too ingenue, too
fresh and simple, to meet his fastid-
ious taste for anything but the merest
Irritation.
At the end she had understood. The
night before he sailed for India, when
they babe each other farewell, he had
made no attempt to hide the truth
from her-that It was indeed fare
we'll"
How extraordinarily beautiful she
had grown, and how well she moved!
When he had most admired her he
had never imagined she would grow
to be anything like that. He thought
she was the most beautiful woman he
had ever seen. Her smile was just as
sweet-a little grayer, perhaps.
He must find out if she were mar
ried.
MOI Then she had been faithful.
Did she know that he was back in
England and was to be here to-nighti
Suddenly she raised her eyes-what
glorious eyes they were!-and, at
tracted by his magnetic gaze, they
met his.
She was ten times more lovely thar
In the old days.
Now, suppose one were a marrying
man? After ali, it was what most mer
came to some time
Was she, he wondered, already re
GREETING the impulse she had followed
in refusing to recognize him? At any
rate, he would surely be able to per
suade her to reconsider her decision
His heart was beating faster thar
usual as he crossed the room. The
music had ceased, and she was talk
ing. AS he approached he could Sc,
the animation in her eyes, the colo
rising and falling in her face; ant
when he stood before her, the word
she was addressing to her partne
died away on her lips.
Once more her eyes met his as sh
stood very still, waiting for him t
speak.
Are you not going to welcome m
homer" he asked.
There was a slight pause.
lam glad to see you again"
The girls voice was very grave
very gentle.
Can you spare me a dancer" h
asked humbly.
This time there was no hesitation i
her reply:
Il am afraid l have not one left"
It was intolerablel How could h
talk to her with that puppy llstenin
to every word? Desperately h
touched her hand as she was movin
away, and spoke low and hurriedly, hi
tone full of reproach;
ut is six years, is it not, since W
have met? If you knew how often-e
] how deeply l have regretted, yo
would give me an opportunity of e:
:. planning
e He waited, breathless, for her repl,
This was the moment that would d
eide his fate. He could see that
struggle was going on in the girl
mind as again her eyes were draw
Z to his. If pride should conquer nov
: he knew that he vas lost; and wit
! all his soul he tried to tell her tina
! in spite of past treason, she cou.
q trust him.
At last she smiled-a grave lit
smile-as she held out her hand
him.
' We shall meet again" she sa.
softly, and you may explain ever
. thing"
|, He watched her as she moved awi
"a strange new warmth at his hear
She had forgiven him, and he low
her. In all the happy years to con
she should learn how deeply he I
! GREETED the suffering he had caus'
her.
The ball was over. In her bedroo
e the girl was slowly drawing Off h
long white gloves. A beautiful d
mond ring. given to her only a IL
days before. fell from her left ha,
to the ground.
She picked It up and laid it on t
a table.
"Six years." she murmured to h,
self. with a hopeless little sigh.
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