The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-05-11
ADORE ( RETIRED H.M|.s.J
BY Olive lsthbrldge and Gerald Fitzgerald.

ror, squared HIS shoulders and twisted
up the ends of his gray mustache
when the sudden opening of the dool
caused, him to skip round with haste
that somewhat marred his dignity.
Isobel Flowerdew held out hel
hand. "It is many years since we
met" she said, pleasantly, "and l an
pleased to greet an old friend"
81 can only hope that time has
dealt as kindly with me as with you,
he replied.
81 think you are looking extremely
we'll"
Colonel Borem felt as though TWEEN
ty years had slipped away, as he fol
lowed the slim figure into the dining
room. Then he had been in love
with Isobel-in love to the extent OF
dancing and flirting and getting hei
talked about, but the faint thoughts
he had cherished of marrying her had
never come to fruition. The truth
was that he could not bring himself
TO give up the luxuries which, as mar.
ried, he would have to deny him.
self-and, above all, the eclat of be-
ing bachelor, which to vain man
Is so dear. Then, some years past
Colenel Borem had retired. First OF
all he had spent his time travelling
on the Continent, vague thoughts OF
marital bliss with rich widow in his
mind, bat though there were widows
and even girls ready to marry him
(or any manD, they were not Of the
style that he considered worthy of the
honor of becoming his wife, and he
found, to his infinite surprise and
pain, that the world is so full OF
elderly, talkative, retired Service men
that they are not premium.
To-day, his first meeting with Iso.
bel, he rejoiced in the fact that (after
many weeks of cautious thought) he
had decided to write to her. Evi-
IDENTIFY, since the old days she had
come into money, and she was, ii
possible, more charming now, with
her soft gray hair and low voice, than
In her buoyant youth.
Under the genial influence of an
excellently served lunch his feel
ings expanded to such an extent that
he resolved that at last he would raise
Isobel to the enviable position of Mrs
Borem.
Seated once more in the delightful
drawing room, he received slight
shock-Isobel lit cigarette! He de-
cided he would break her of the OBJ.
noxious habit at an early date, then
he cleared his throat and in few.
well-chosen-words" (his view of iD
he offered her his heart and hand and
magnificent pension, plus enc hun.
dred year! The "few-well-cnosen-
words" took nearly twenty minutes to
say, and she sat in silence, until he
waxed eloquent on the advantages
she would derive.
"Fhen you think that an unmar-
ried woman is at great disadvantage
In the world?"
Undoubtedly, my dear Isobel, un.
doubtedly-there is growing ten.
dency in these days to exaggerate the
value of freedom. Ia girl, men ex.
cuse it, but when a woman has
reached, ahem! certain age, and is
not so-shall we say-so alluring tc
the other sex, then it is inclined to
savor of the legend of the fox and the
grapes"
Are you not-just little-se.
vere?" murmured Miss Flowerdew.
"By no means. l only wish you tc
realize your somewhat, ahem, uu
enviable position, and to persuade you
to change it at an early date"
81 am truly sensible of the honol
you are doing me; would you mind
enumerating the drawbacks of the
single state for my -edification?"
Colonel Borem cleared his throat
"You run the risk of being called ar
old maid"
But there is no such thing now;
we are bachelor women"
"Odious word Dear Isobel, yor
grieve me. To continue. You become
narrow for without the intellectual
companionship of man, and his wide
views of life, a woman is bound tC
become so, and to wither as flower
without the Sun You are amused
at something?"
mot at all-pray go on"
"You are of no Importance, NJ
social standing, you have to walk il
to dinner behind the veriest chit o.
q girl who has husband, you have tt
sit with your back to .he horses IL
your friends carriag., and you are
looked upon by everybody as woman
who has failed in her quest-in fact
q complete and utter failure"
Miss Flowordew seemed somewhat
overcome. and her handkerchief wa.
much in evidence. Colonel Boren
patted her on the shoulder. 'Ttere
there, perhaps have been littls
plain spoken, but 1t was for xoul
welfare, believe me. Now-let Nu.
look on the other side of the picturex
His carefully waxed mustache brushed