The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1911-06-10

white muslin gown and smoothed 1t.
caressingly.
Laughing softly. she slipped out OF
the heavy. silken gown and donned
the simple white one. She let down
her heavy hair and braided 1t in ono
long plat. washed the rouge from
her cheeks. and pinned the white
roses In the laces at her throat.
Tho little maid stared when she
entered with . card. but Margaret
was too engrossed to note her sur
prise
II will see him." she said. and there
was hard note In her voice.
She was standing with her back to
the door and At first he did not recos-
nize her. but ~ she turned and ad-
dressed him. he went forward drama
tically.
"Ah. It 10 you. Madamoiselle! 1t
10 new role. then! It IL something
that l have not seen before. 10 It not
40? 1t 10 not Elsa. nor Marguerite.
nor any Of those others. and yet
Alb. Madamoiselle. you are always
beautiful. but tonight you are more
than beautiful. you are"
She held up her hand. NO" she
said. 1T 10 not Elsa nor Marguerite.
nor any Of those roles that you have
seen me play 30 many times. II 10 an
old role which I discarded years ago.
but which have resumed tonight.
and which I hope to continue In
throughout my life. II 10 . role which
have played many times. the only
requisites Of which are simplicity and
truth. and the applause. the only ap-
plause worth while. the appreciation
Of truth and honest hearts"
When came to the CITY," she
went on. this great. throbbing city.
with Its beautiful. sad. wicked life.
was a young girl. untutored in the
hard lessons Of the world. had lived
among people whose women were
good and men honest and thought
all men and women good and honest
When ! think Of the simple. untrisd
girl I was and the dangers that men.
aced me. shudder. even now.
But the world was good to me.
My voice and the beauty men say I
posssss. stood me In good stead. The
world offered me its poor best. and
was daxzled with its glitter and CLEAN.
was like . ny. caught In a golden
web. fascinated and yet afraid.
To-day. Monsieur. you asked me
you did me the honor to ask me to
become your wife: you offered me
wealth and positich-"
And my love. Madamoiselle."
And your love. Tonight I give
them back to you with these" She
held out the great string OF diamonds.
You did me . great honor, and
thank you for 1t. but tonight an In.
huence that has exerted itself
throughout my life has spoken to my
heart In . voice which cannot be
silenced. And 20 I am going away.
] am going back to the old role aSain.
the role Of the simple. happy. quiet
life. shall marry . man who 10 not
great. perhaps. - the world counts
greatness. but who"
But Madamoiselie. what Of me:
Do deserve no consideration: Am
to Be thrust aside so: Surely l."
You cannot say anything OF me
you cannot accuse me more mercl.
lessiy than accuse myself. But be.
cause have wronged you. would you
have me make my wrong stili deeper?
Ny heart 10 far away IN tho south.
land tonight whore these little white
blossoms came from"
The Frenchman stood with bowed
head.
She iayed her hand for . momen.
on bis.
Forgive me-" she said.
He raised her hand and kissed Il.
reverently.
"Madamoiseiis." he said earnestly,
do you know what you are rsiin.
gushing! Are you prepared to fore
90 all the luxury. the pleasure. the
spisndor Of your present iife-to give
up that which has become almost q
part Of your beinS'-to give up all
this for . life narrow and petty
life dull and. perhaps. even sordid p
She raised her head proudly. and
be thought be had never seen her
moro beautiful than whom she an.
swsrsd him.
NO" sAs sasd. IT 10 not sordid.
and Il will not b. dull Mousisuri II
Will b gloriasd By love"
For moment he stood 10 silence.
Thea be raised his head and lookeA
into me clear eyes:
"Ah. Aadamoisslis. Il 10 worth An
eternity Of missry-ous hour OF love
such - that"
He touched her haad again with his
lips. and then went quickly from ~
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