Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1908-12-17

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 and
manuscripts on the floor "Lois," she
said decidedly, 81 want you to lay out
my new morning gown, the sea green
one with the train"
Sitting down at her dressing table.
she began careful toilet. Her
thoughts were busy with the past
Jack had been 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
10 come to New York to try her for
tune. Jack had advised against it, but
4 strange perversity made her deaf to
his warnings.
At first they had kept up CORE
spondence. Soon even that link was
broken as she was drawn more and
more into the absorbing whirl of news
paper and magazine work. For five
years no letters had passed between
them. To 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 he
would be like. Doubtless he had lost
the fresh boyish beauty she so well
remembered He was past thirty now.
she reflected with q sigh. Doubtless,
too, his career as man of affairs had
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
live in the old days and pay no atten-
ton to externals.
w ACn az ldSI LUIS uhuOuANC0 NhAl
Mr. Ainsworth was in 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 violets
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 If they had parted but
yesterday.
Jack! flow 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, lis it really your
She smiled, and it was her old smile.
Eyes, Jack, it is l. You see, am
going the way of the world"
"Nonsensel You are perfectw he
cried vehemently.
She was no less charmed. There was
no evidence of beard or glasses, though
the boy had grown into the man-tal
athletic. clean shaven. with strong jaw
and deep voice. His honest gray eyes
Toasted 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 career"
"Yes,' she said, you have done well
for yourself and l am proud Of you.
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
readl 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 to
New York; she asked.
II have been elected vice president
of the road and must live here" he re-
piled.
Then l suppose you will marry and
keep up an establishment" with
pretense of lightness. sfl
at dan,t knom - ba safd drhios,slv