The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-12-23

her day in the schoolrcon, she was
always ready to rejoice or sympathize-
I'm send her some roses-the finest
/ can find" he declared with a sudden
rush of remorseful tenderness. He en-
tered a flower shop and bought huge
bunch of velvety American Beauties.
Send them to this address," he told
1.-THE dealer and gave him card.
| Next door was the establishment of
an expensive fuTrier, and Lander
passed the window, he saw Marguerite
,Fenton looking at set of brown lynx.
The rich tones went well with her
brown eyes and tawny hair. AS she
stood there with the soft furs about
her, she reminded him of some bar
baric princess Ever since he had first
met her at dinner given at the home
of the senior member of the firm,
/ Lander had been greatly fascinated,
and felt that her beauty and position
fitted in with his ambitious dreams
Yet, strangely enough, today her beau
ty did not make it's usual appeal to
him that mingled with her sinuous
grace, was also something of feline
, cruelty.
Those furs probably cost more than
"
Unsuitable craving for luxury would
fasten itself, vampire like, on the life
blood of the man who marries her!"
? He strobe. down the street, feeling
that the crowded cars would stifie him,
and longing for the sense of physical
:. motion and the singing air against
: his face When he reached his rooms
he found on the table an invitation
from Mrs. Dane. prominent society
hostess, inviting him to attend a din
ner she was giving. that night.
THAT doesn't fit in with the load OF
. work / must get through with before
Il office hours tomorrow" YEARLY he
u laid a package of business papers on
the table and rested his read in his
s hands What does it all amount to
: what does life amount to-" he ques-
Z toned despondently. These people
= who invite me do not really care for
4 me. 1t is merely because l fill in and
" make an agreeable dinner guest and
for that l have practically given up
my old friends"
y He realized that his present mood
was the reaction from exhilaration OF
ie conquest which the past year of al
n most spectacular success had given
II him.
II I'D ike to chuck the whole thing
Il and go back If only could have a
talk with klice in the old way. I'd feel
& myself aySin." He sat up with new
:: energy. Il wonder if she'd let me
Gomez"
There was need to look in the tele-
phone BOOK for the familiar number
With bresthless suspense he waited
while the landlady called Miss Glea-
son to tie phone, and at the sound OF
her voice his heart began to pound
boyishly She was serenely gracious,
yet he Ge' ected note of surprise as
he asked permission to call Then she
i spoke o. he roses, and added:
II cart begin TO describe my delight
over that quaint old English book II
filled a lrng-felt want for the posses
sion OF real first edition., Mechan
icaI:y re responded, questioning him
self .lra while: What book? Did
make & mistake and send Miss Fen
\ toms Christmas gift to Alice? In
= my dcfg.d WEAKNESS / must have Civ
en- the dTaIer the wrong address, He
thongFt If Marguerite's demand of the
best ~ Her due, and sense of impisl
Joy swept over him at the mistake
which lad defeated the usual order
EIe s-7nt messenger boy with Z
notE. 70 Mrs. Dane containing regret.
for tie dinner, then dressed and hur
!. ried 70 the lodging house on Flee
- street,
'sSfuFre, and you're a strange
:. these says. Mr.. Landers,'' remarket
-, A. Il A
SO she Sent upstairs to call Miss Glea
son lse2 round Irish face reminded hin
yer Of a skeery full moon. He glanced s
18th the Nern old haircloth sofa, and Ger
uld ter faaie strewn with magazines, tn
is fanilifr ehabbiness of the little pal
but Tor made the past year seem as unrea
as teverish dream.
IN When Alice entered she seemed /
Der bring with her an atmosphere of 81
renity and peace. Eagerly he rose
ved then sank back on the sofa, his fac
re rent white and everything blurred b,
wn fore him.
iAA What is it, Edwin, are you ill.," sh
cried, in her alarm the old nam
the Ishpped out unconsciously.
aat- He passed his hand over his eyes i
ook a dazed fashion. Not is nothing
he muttered. Then, earnestly, Il al
nth tired-weary with life as 1t is. II
que you only want. Alice. you, alone /
the the wide world that L love. lis ther
lips any hope?"
axe His voice sank almost to whispe
OF and for one tense moment there wa
hen silence in the little room Then, by wa
ms of answer, she drew the poor, tire
face against her breast with a &c
an ture of ineffable tenderness.
1ok In thai moment Lander felt that
has his weary questionings as to what va
he worth while, the answer was not M
OF terial success, but love which mear
that life IN its fuslness
the ----==55X ss=-----------------
his