Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-02-12
IT'S Woman's Whole
Existence
by Alma sorIven

/ WIN panB Oh SoH"repTOdch, 40 TO-
flected how seldom during those years
he had thought of her, and yet how
vivid, now that he saw her again, was
the recollection of their farewell
scene! 1t was at 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 trefnbled as he pressed
1.-THE eyes, usually 50 full Of laugh
ter, that had filled-had she wept, or
was he confusing her with. No. As
/ the incident stood out more 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
brute he had been to play with her
as he had done all through that sea
son-her first season, tool
For he had never meant anything
serious. She was too ingenue toe
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 graver perhaps.
He must find out if she were mar.
ried
No! Then she had been faithful.
Did she know that he was back in
England and was to be here tonight?
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 than
in the old days.
Now, suppose one were a marrying
man? After all, it was what most men
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 than
usual as he crossed the room. The
music had ceased, and she was talk
ing AS he approached he could see
the animation in her eyes, the color
rising and falling in her face; and
when he stood before her, the words
she was addressing to her partner
died away on her lips.
Once more her eyes met his as she
stood very still, waiting for him to
speak.
Are you not going to welcome me
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" he
asked humbly.
This time there was no hesitation in
her reply:
Il am afraid have not one left"
1t was intolerable! How could he
talk to her with that puppy listening
to every word? Desperately he ]
touched her hand as she was moving
away, and spoke low and hurriedly, his
tone full Of reproach:
1T is six years, is it not, since we
have met? If you knew how often-er
how deeply l have regretted, you
would give me an opportunity of ex-
planning"
He waited, GREATNESS, for her reply.
This was the moment that would de- J
eide his fate. He could see that a {
Struggle was going on in the girls
mind as again her eyes were drawn I
to his. If pride should conquer now,
he knew that he was lost; and with
all his soul he tried to tell her that, /
in spite of past treason, she could s
trust him.
AZ last BIC 5lHllSu--d grave llCLl0
smile--as she hc.l out her hand to
him.
We shall meet again." she said t
softly, and you may explain every
thing"
He watched her as she moved away
"a strange new warmth at his heart.
She had forgiven him, and he loved q
her. In all the happy years to come
she should learn how deeply he re- 2
GREETED the suffering he had caused
her $
The bail was over. In her bedroom q
the girl was slowly drawing off her ?
long white gloves. A beautiful dia- Il
mond ring, given to her only few
days before, fell from her left hand q
to the ground y
She picked It up and laid it on the