The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-19
copyright, 1910, by Associated
Literary Dress

Lying back in her big easy chair
With the red freight playing over
her jewels and laces. Mrs Taylor
Peytcn was q picture of luxurious
ease. Young, beautiful, fabulousiy
rich. the prizes of life had been show
cred iayishly upon her. Lois Barton
could not understand why her proud
face wore that look of weary discon-
tent.
This six weeks visit with her clay
cousin had given to Lois. herself, her
one taste OF real luxury. II was all
very wonderful. She felt sometimes,
like n person transported to q land OF
enchantment. She had enjoyed every
moment But her visit was drawing
TO close. soon, she must return to
the drudgery OF the school room.
A flush sprang 10 her cheeks,
ktndled by a sudden thought. she.
TOO, could live in beautiful house
with servants at her beck and call
buy her gowns at the big shops pat
had thrown a golden apple In her
way. She need not go back to the
old treadmiil. the uncongeniai tasks,
unless she chose. to-
But---ward winthrop. Well. what
Of him. II was twe years since he
had left Surry without bidding her
would never see him shrdln
would never see him again. The surest
sure for her aching heart was to act
up the image Of another in The shrine
so long Kept sacred TO him
Meanwhile Virginia Peytun. on the
other side of the dancing fire. was
looking her over approvingly.
My dear she said. that simple
white gown IL in excellent taste. A
country girl shouldn't make herself
TOO smart at city functions l want
cd you To look Your best Tonight.
.Gordon Vance will lac at the feeep-
ton. He Is very rastidious. With
men of his temperament. trifies turn
the scale. I shall ret him know that
you return home the last OF the week,
think he viii come 70 the point
before the evening Is over
"Oh, 4 hope mott Lois sxclaim ed
with q sudden raxaislnE- at -seaAA4Essss.
She was too genuine to pretend not
10 understand,
Mrs. peytsn frowned. "0f course
you have known what was coming.
Ever since the acquaintance began he
has been sending you flowers. taking
YOU TO lunch and to ride. It's bet
ter that everything should be settled
before you 60.
But I'm not at all sure
THAT you want tn marry him "
Why, OF course you'il marry him, He
can give you eyerything~-wealtt, po-
sttion, influence. It's wonderful op-
portuntty to come in the way Of a
country school teacher
"But--if I do not love him -
Mrs. Peyton laughed scornfulIy.
Love. oh you little ntnny. Mo-
body marriea for lowe nowadays, lis
- ts4eHes- that ecu fets, :,
Lois understood now what had
brought about Virginia Is naarriuse
with the bald. elderly man she met
occasionally at the dinner table
tsYou always lacked worldly wis-
DOM Mrs pcyton added with some
asperity .tBut TIA nay intervention
Won would have thrown yourself away
on Ward winthrop two years aga
struggling artist without dollar
Isots' face became white. instantly
she was on her feet
Virginia" she gasped. Il never
understood why Ward went without
a word. / had felt so sure that he
he---cared You were visiting me at
the time L-sess,esaAsesv-41sAs -+sti---s-tsfs-s
hinf--aways
.'of course not, you little fcolt How
can you think IL
f.,ts tear1ed forward, trembling
slightly, and looked straight into her
cousins guilty face. But before she
could speak one Oh Tie Hns1as az
reared to announce the carriage, and
ys,e slipped thoashtfaas Into her
wraps. -
Mrs, vandyke's parlors were hiied
70 overlooking with fashionahly
dressed men and wonien, 1t was the
usual crush--music. flowers, ravish-
ing toilets As the newcomers were
making the slow round OF the rooms
Virginia Peyton dropped a sharp
whisper into her companions ear.
.Lpok. There he is He's coming
this way. This may be your last
chance. rememberN