The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-11-30

hope that this remembrance Of your
birthday Will prove that | have not
forgotten you? ] have been in town
two days. ] secured your address
from C.'s Magazine and send these
flowers to warn you that am coming
TO invade your sanctum sanctorum and
talk over old times. Always your
friend, Jack Ainsworth."
She started up, scattering letters aud
manuscripts on the foor Lois" she
said decidedly. 81 want you to lay out
my new porning gown. the sea green
one with the train"
Sitting down at her dressing table,
she began q careful toilet Her
thoughts were busy with the past
Jack had heen her girlhood friend In
the little inland town where they were
both born and bred Again she was
twenty-four and he was twenty.six.
Why had he never spoken? She knew
he loved her, and perhaps she had
loved him. TOO. then. But when her
mothers death left her alone In the
world she was seized with the desire
to come to New York to try her for.
tune. Jack had advised against 1t. but
a strange peryersity made her deaf TO
his warnings. vr. ....s
At first they had kept up corre-
spOndepce. Soon even that link was
broken as she was drawn more and
more into the absorbing whirl Of news.
paper aud magazine work. For Ave
years no letters had passed between
them 10 be sure, she had heard OF him
indirectly how he gradually forged
ahead from clerk in the railroad office
TO manager Of the whole system, and
she had been glad for his sake.
And now, after all this time, they
were to meet. She wondered what be
would be like. Doubtless be had lost
the fresh boyisb beauty she SO well
remembered. He was past thirty now.
she reflected with u. sigh. Doubtless,
too, his career az man OF affairs had
made him brusque and cold. She had
visions Of bearded cheek and cain and
perhaps glasses. Horrors! Had IL
really come TO that? Well she would
live in the old days and pay no atten-
ton to eKternals. .
When at last Lois announced that
Mr., Ainsworth was in the drawing
room she swept to her mirror aud sur
veyed tue graceful figure reflected
there. Her gown of sea green fell In
shimmeripg folds. Her hair was done
beautifully, and some of the violets
were clasped IN the silver girdle at her
waist. She could not fail to be salts
fed.
e. 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 II they had parted but
yesterday.
Jack! How good Of you to some to
see me on my birthday and to send
me these lovely fowersw turning to a
center table where the violets were
displayed.
Jack Ainsworth gasped Could this
elegant woman, with her perfect hair
and silvery voice, be his old friend?
Lillian" he said, still grasping her
hand, ''is It really your
She smiled, and II was her old smile.
"Yes, Jack, Il Ii l. You see, | am
going the way of the world"
Nonsense! You are perfect" he
cried vehemently. ~
She was no less charmed There was
no evidence of beard or glasses. though
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
your eareerp'
"Yes," she said, you have done well
for yourself, and I am proud OF yon.
As for my career. 1t has not amounted
TO much"
"Lillian," Ainsworth said, leaning
forward eagerly, 'do you know that
you have not written line have not
read! You ceased to write TO me, bnt
] did not forget. dear"
Miss Treadwell had forgotten the
rain and the unfeeling publisher
TEL me, Jack, what brings yep to
GsE xsEka q shs aasksa. h. ..4A-...--- !.