Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-05-01
WEEKLY 8
Short Story
TRANSFORMATIONS.

BY George Rayne.
n lay en- the dressing table before
her. a mass OF golden urls and cous .
and pulls. The hairdresses had Go
acrfb-ed the things AS trahsformat- ,
ton when ne persuaded Mss Malone
that. by wearing 1t. she would look az
least fifteen years younger.
aiiss Malone was slim creature.
slightly past the forttes, with nair
WHICH. though gray, was stu SOFT and
wavy Moreover. she was possessed
Of that giit OF the gods, an air OF dis
unction which the wardrobe OF
queen and the beauty Of the angels arc
alike poweriess 10 supply. Hers was
the habit vi the high held head and
eyes that looked out straight and rear
less Men aid women all instncuFei9 /
trusted Miss Malone
She had been very exacung with /
susan. her maid, thas evening Inc I
set OF her gown, the choice OF le"els
and other details Of a woman NoLo'
had assumed an unusual importance
Most curious OF all. IL appeared 70
susan. was the fact tnat her Mistress
~bo abhorred everything aruhclai'
should choose to wear a transtorma-
ton. -.
Suan. old and tried servant, as az
a loss she had never before met Win
any troubles ina the exercise Oh heI
duties. some extraordinary event
must be taking place In Miss Malone .
lie.
The previous day a note in a man
handwriting had been delivered al the
door. FROM that moment up TO tue
nresent Miss Malone behavior nao
been most peculiar. Everything WnicA
should have been done had been leit
undonc The outside world was TOT
rorcn Miss Malone had arisen early
IA tae morning. only 20 shut nerseI ~
the library, where she sat BEFORE e"e
ire Ter oars reading and re-Feallns
a packet OF letters. stopping oc'AsloN-
sliv fo glance at "A number OF photos
as ola in appearance ar the as tue let
rors. None OF these cuilsla uces
had nassed unOheserved by the maid
susan. Tney were in her mind nov a.
sne skUlmlly adjusted the transfer
nation on her MISTRESS mead ahl
fastened a coQuetush black velvet 10"
among the golden puns-
Miss Malone gazed into the mirroi
without seeing her retecuon. "Iol'
lifetime can be lived IN less time ma
IL takes 20 dress for dinner, ana IN
wonau before the glass saw in ne
minds eve the events OF the past has
nv. leaving but one thing standing o.
,-ominent and alone. Nane Adair va
cousng TO see her again after twent
wears u separation. How rolcu!ou
il was To have wasted the years. An
haw worse than stupid 70 have le
Vsne 20 abroad without clearing u
40 slight a Misunderstanding.
Often since they day they parted So
rad seen come man who reminded nc
e Vane: a glimpse OF a talr hou'
tache. r head well set back, squar
Once IN the HLTNi
saae had encountered q man 50 star
Hnelv like Vane that she had almo
held out her hand - him After sue
encounters would GENE a term OF II
tense loneliness. a GnaWlnS desire
near Nane's voice. 10 touch ms nan
So absorbed was she in recollection
q the past that the sound or rli
At the front door caused her 20 sta
to her feet Did the bell really RIM
y Yes. she was sure Of H. turning
susan. she gave an order 10 De TAX
dovnsctalrs. Colonel Ada.- wou
STAY TO dinner. he was 20 be sho'
.nto the library az once.
she would see him in the same TOO
in which they had parted twenty yea
before. what \ rage she had been 1
Vow er eyes had flashed anger h'
Yer small goot had stamped It's got
~.
Not until the maid had lelt tue -
dad Miss Malone consider her rene
don In the mirror. Certainty
transformation made wonderful 9
ference 10 her appearance she
looking beautiful, really beautiful
ore would belive her 70 be day o.
90. Then. with a sudden revulsion
feeling. she put up her hand to Z
the thing Indignantly from er he
Il hate the deception" she said
. herself. hotly; bdt her arm dropped
her side as she remembered how.
the old days. Vane had admired