The Green Forest tribune., 1909-09-10
BY NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)

up the cardboard and regarded it con- temptuously, then wonderingly, and finally with paling cheeks. No wonder she had ceased to be interesting to the man she had married. This girl was barely nineteen-was genuine beauty, while she-she was yerging close on thirty, and never had been more than merely pretty, she musfG with curious heart-pang. Still, Billy Carroll had found her more fascinating than any other woman in the world, he was her soul-mate-and her breath broke through her trembling lips in little sigh of relief. But instead of re- turning the photo to it's place of honor on the mantel-shelf, she tossed it, face down on the table, and swept out of the room. On her way downstairs she met the maid coming up, and with few concise directions about her hus- bands rooms, she passed or.
 T sail tomorrow at three."
 Elsie Bostwick dropped her book and looked up with whitening face.
 I thought possibly you might need ready money, so l arranged with the bank"
 "And-Rita?" Elsie tried to speak bravely, but the words came in a blurred tone.
 But Bostwick, apparently unnotic- ing, replied unconcernedly: She knows. am not sure whether she will come or not. A woman always has the prerogative of changing her mind at the last minute, you know"
 Elsie bit her lips hard to keep back the rising retort. For several moments she struggled for self-control; then, unable to longer endure the strain, she rose abruptly and left the room. In little while servant came to receive orders about the packing.
 Mrs. Bostwick went directly to her own apartments and summoned her maid. They were very busy for over two hours. Finally, weary but deter mined, she emerged-after having written two notes. One was to Billy Carroll; the other, polite farewell to Rita Brewster, who, despite her hus- bands attachment, had always been an intimate friend.
 In the meantime, Bostwick went about his affairs mechanically. When the hour came for his departure for the steamer the following day Elsie had disappeared. An unaccountable heart-pang assailed him. Could any thing have happened? Could she-he ground his teeth-could she have fore stalled him? gone-with Billy Carroll? ? The thought reused all the antagonism in him and he sprang into the waiting cab with quivering pulses. He arrived just fifteen minutes before the hour of departure. A woman, closely yelled, waved to him from the upper deck. As soon as possible, he joined her and they walked off together.
 When they had reached a secluded part of the ship he deliberately reached up and lifted her veil ''Elsiel"
 Yes. You see, well, a woman al ways has her prerogative, hasn't she? And l had written Rita Brewster and told her I was leaving with you to-day told her ood-by-and-" she broke off. "Ted!" she asked abruptly, what did you ever do with that glove?"
 Bostwiek, whose face was suddenly illumined by some inward joy, replied quickly: Why, 1 returned it to Miss Brewster, of course. It was all an ac- cident, my having it. l picked it up at the Rogers ball. and was waiting for an opportunity to restore it to her when you-discovered it, and told me about-Billy. By the way, what has become of Billy?"
 The blood raced up to the roots of Elsie's fair hair. T haven't seen him for weeks" she said. T acted like a little fool all because I thought you were caring for--some one else. But but you had Rita's picture on your mantel-"
 Probably placed there by the artis- tic Sarah. The photo was one that be- longed to you"
 The prolonged blowing of the whis- tie drowned their next words. When quiet was restored Bostwick was say ing eagerly: First to Paris, then Italy, then on to Switzerland and all the res of them. How will that be for a sec ond honeymoon?"
 "A real honeymoon" whispered FL sic as he took her for fleeting second to his heart.