The Cairo bulletin., 1908-07-01
THE FORTIETH TINE.

| IL
ton she had found Ter proper ele-
ment. How had she ever endured
Millville so long?
Stupid slow g"ssipy Millvillc!
How far away 1t seemed tonight
and how different a girl from the
budding anthoress who had dragged
out her humdrum existence there,
Her eye sought instiuctively franz
ed photo on the dresser. 1t was a
strong. manly face that looked into
hers.
But why do those eyes always
seem 10 be questioning one?" Kath-
crime pondered half impatiently 1T
is as if they were continually asking,
is 1t worth While?"
Yes, it's worth while. quite
orth while, Willis King" she said
aloud. I'm afraid your farther
from me tonight than ever before.
And when we go over the same old
argument for the fortieth time it
will doubtless be l. repetition of the
other thirty-nine arguments My
literary ambitions viii lead me on to
something nobler, more satisfy
II g" A remnant OF their last
! conversation came back to her
Yes, Katherine" Willis had said
YEARLY Il shouldn't wonder If you
were famous writer some day.
Aud you'll be so busy dissecting
imaginary peoples emotions that
you'll forget you have any of your
own; 1t Will be so interesting to
spin fine theories of vi-ionary lives
that perhaps you'll miss living your
self"
Why need there be a choice.
Katherine" Willis had asked. You
must know me wei enough to UNDER
stand that would never demand the
sacrifice of your work in order that
you might marry me.
The same old stors e" was the re-
ply. Il tell you. Willus, the two
things don't go together. The in
eyitable result is a cross between
a sloyenly housekecper ana literary
hack. No, thank you.
Well, at any rae, was the final
response, remember that | shall
wait for you"
The evening Dtper lay on the
table unread To quiet her un-
strung nerves she waded through
Column after column Of society scan
dol md Wolf g+rn,t r,t,rro +i1r.. AN
the marriages notices were reached
What \ as this-o3, it couldn't be
WlIlus King married, The paper
dropped from her ncryelees fingers.
Then, STOPPING 70 pick it up, she
sought to Jr-ye 1t all a horrid
mistake, but the clear announce
ment only served . verify he, worst
fears. The ceremony had been per-
formed in city church the day be-
fore. Considering that Willis King
had been but the moment before
relegated TO the back ground Of her
affections and interests. in was
strangely inconsistent thing that the
news brought forth a storm of tears.
Tie awakening came too late.
"Will," she sobbed Drokenlv, Il
didn't know myself Bu you
haven't played fair.
A knock at the door nlled her
with conservation She half rose
from the couch where she had
thrown herself to answer the sum-
mons, and hen decided to fe gn
sickness or sleep. The rap was not
repeated There was rushing az
of pape:, and then the sound of re
treating footsteps An envelope
was thrust under he door. Eater
+ the day, IN the first FISH Of sue
cess, it might have filled her with
hopeful anticipation, but now t was
with al Indifferent, dispiritto air !
that she crossed the room to pick mp
the letter.
Willus Kings handwriting Her
heart ,eaped at sight Of the familiar
characters, then sharp little pans
reminded her of their changed re-
lations Wedding cards. doubtless. |
She reflected bitterly that in this, |
the last time to tho photo on the |
might have been spared this remind
er of his new-tound happ ness. TO |
her surprise a note hu.,gfeI to the !
floor She read:
Dear Katherine am in town |
fer over tomorrow, having run
down TO attend the wedding of my |
cousin and name. AXE. How / wish |
it had been mine and the bride the
dearest girl l know And that
brings me to what | have to say.
Don't you think it quite useless,
Katherine, to keep up this sembIance .
OF friendship? 1t IS love and not
Platonic attachment that want. SO
tomorrow If you can spend an hour
or two from your work. / want to
ask for your final answer. May /
loo for You t the Art J.scum at !
10? Yours, Is ever,
WILLIS KING"
Katherine HOLSTER turned for
the last time to the photo on the
dresser. There was beautiful. Il
still light of deep content ia her
eyes as she whispered softly:
After I'll I'm yer. feminine
woman. ~'he 40tL time viii be- diff II
rent"