The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-08-11

For as time progressed the synipa-
thetc understanding which sprang M
brought 10 light the fact that he too
had had his ideal-a woman seen only
once, but beautifully remembered and
treasured In his middle-aged heart as
an unfading rose whose luster dimmed
all other flawers.
Any glimpse?" he would ask her
whimsically, as they walked side by
side In the crisping November wealth.
err.
Undiscouraged, she would shake her
head. And your"
Not the slightest" he would an
swer. And so it went.
Ihen came the morning when a
large, square envelope was laid by
Miss Eldridges plate. Her aunt. grow
ing old and feeble, had not the less
diminished her social activities. After
long absence in Europe she had re-
turned to New York and requested the
pleasure OF Miss Eldridge's company
at -
Miss Eldridge put down the invita-
tlon, white to the lips, her heart bound
ing turiously. Pride urged her not to
accept but feeling stronger than any
sel1-loVe swept over the barriers of
pride and brought them low. The old
inextinguishable hope was there. vital
and dominant as ever.
On the great evening she arrayed
herself with trembling fingers. The
face her mirror showed was flushed
and radiant. 1t was as II her lost
youth had stepped back to crown her
for moment with the touch of all
sweet, imperishable things.
The professor was going TO a snecial
meeting of the board of education and
had promised to wait for her AT the
car when it was time for her to return
len minutes before she arrived he was
at his post, pacing restlessly. Under
the thin flare of the street lamps his
race looked more tired and haggard
than usual.
The glory, too, had faded from Miss
Eldrldges eyes when she came. AS
she met him she looked quite worn
The professor guessed at the reason
instantly.
Wasn't he there?" he asked q
throb of commisseration in his voice.
YES she cried, with a little laugh
that was half a sob. Yes. He was
there. He-he came and talked TO me
and instead of-oh, professor, how can
l tell you! He isn't the least bit like
an Apollo Belvedere, He's grown
stout, and little bald, and-and-" a
second sob stuck in Miss EIdridge's
throat.
But she had worshipped unreality so
long that now she was determined to
nave the truth at any cost. And I
thought his remarks exceedingly
vapid,' she ended bravely. Then She
glanced up at the professor and noted
the change in him.
Why, professor" she cried, has
anything happened? Has"
Yes, said the professor grimly, "a
great deal has happened. Tonight
at the board meeting / saw her."
And is she-still the same?"
Yes, she is still the same. She has
preserved her youth, and you know
how preserved youth looks. I'd rather
nave an honest wrinkle than all the"
He stopped, and then went on more
calmly. All my life l have been
idealizing a pretty doll, endowing her
with graces of the heart and soul. that
she never for an instant had. while
here, beside me-Oh, I've been blind as
a bat. Miranda, blind as a bat. but
m going to make up for it if you'll
let me. if you'll listen to a poor mid
dle-aged sutton after your dreams of
Apollo Belvedere!"
Let YOU" she whispered. "Oh. to-
night. after my eyes we're opened I
thought of you and / felt so despe-
rately lonely, for knew you had some
one else, while L"
The school board" said the profess
sor irrelevantly, has raised my salary.
They've offered TO make me principal
OF an outlying school where all the
teachers own their homes-beautifu
homes, with lawns and vine-covered
porches."
The professor Strengthened as he
spoke and looked positively young.
And an hour later Miss Eldridge
opened the tiny window of her sky
light bedroom an dtossed out across
the roofs faded buch of violets that
she had worn on a memorable night
twelve years before and cherished ever
since
Then she turned about with a happy
sigh, for the dream was ended, and in
its place had come the substance OF
reality, .-