The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-07-09
4
A PRESERVATION.
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perately in love with Barbara Ward, a
few months his senior, but since he
had nothing except what he might
carve out of the future marriage be-
tween them was not to be considered.
Seymour went to distant city to push
his way in the world. declaring that
when he had competency he would
return and if he found Barbara still
unmarried would claim her.
Twenty years passed. Seymour had
prospered but had not married. AT
forty he was still very young looking,
young feeling and young acting, but he
was at that age when a man begins
to tire of clubs and the laborious part
of keeping in social life. He longed
for home, and what was more natu-
raj than to revert to his old sweet
heart to make that home for him? He
wrote her that he was intending to
make trip and would call upon her.
He inclosed his photograph.
Now, Barbara Ward had been good
deal Of an invalid for many years
Her face was creased. and her hair
was almost white. She looked ten
years older than she was, while the
likeness she received looked ten years
younger than Seymour. Here was
gap in appearance alone of twenty
years. In addition to this, she was
broken down in health, and her time
for rearing family had passed. She
was too sensible q woman to receive
Russell Seymour as a lover Her sis
ter's child. now woman Of twenty
seven, had the same name as she, and
pictures of the two taken at the same
age looked like twins.
The Wards lived at suburban town
near city. Seymour sent word of
the day and hour Of his expected ar
rival, and Miss Barbara drove to the
station for him. Seymour, who was
aware that woman of forty would
have passed the bloom of youth, look
ed forward to the meeting with mis-
givings. When he saw what he mis-
took for his old love but slightly aged
he was astonished and delighted. In
deed, he began to worry about few
gray hairs that were creeping into his
beard.
Now. Miss Ward had instructed her
niece to entertain Mr.. Seymour and
make excuses for her own nonappear-
ance, for she did not intend to show
herself. 1t did not occur to Barbara to
play the part Of her aunt till she saw
that she had been mistaken for her;
then. the spirit OF mischief being rife
in her, she played it to perfection.
"How in the world" he asked. "have
you managed to retain your youthful
appearances"
mo cares and good conscience"
you don't look a day over thirty"
Barbara WINGED at this, but managed
to reply, and you don't look day
over thirty either"
retained our youth! But the heart
that never grows old"
Sometimes it grows cold" She cast
aside her eyes.
II assure you mine beats the same
as when parted from you"
Then why have you not come for
me before?"
This was home thrust. He pleaded
absorption In business, a desire to ac-
cumulate certain amount and other
excuses in which there was no warmth
of love. And you" he said. why did
you cease to write me?''
"How could continue to write when
your letters came at such long inter
walls as to indicate that you were
changed?'
''Never mind that, sweetheart We
are united now, and we'll never part
again in life''
Had the young lady not held the
reins he would have taken her hand,
stolen an arm around her waist, posi-
bly, kiss. AS it was, he was obliged
to defer caresses till they reached
home, where he found her unwilling to
submit to them. He protested, and she
dropped a hint that she must be won
anew. Indeed, she left doubt in his
mind whether she could be won at all.
They dined together, and Seymour was
surprised that no one except Barbara
was at the table. He asked if she
lived alone. which disconnected her,
but she stuck to the truth by telling
him that she lived with an aunt who
was an invalid.
That night Barbara confessed to
Miss Ward the part she was playing
Her aunt after reflection told her to
continue the deception. Seymour was
made welcome at the house and show
ed no inclination to depart. The day
after her arrival the invalid came
down for dinner, and Seymour was in
troduced by Barbara. sadness came
over Miss Wards face when her for
mer lover showed no recognition of
her whatever. Indeed, he sat at table
with bored look on his face that
third person should have come to in
trude upon their companionship.
There were many conferences be-
tween aunt and niece. The elder Miss
Ward. fully realizing that she and
Seymour We're not for each other, de-
sired Barbara to accept him in her
stead. Barbara would have been pleas