Evening star., 1914-07-19
the capacity to love- You see, had to find that
1Oh!' was all he could say.

@Oh' all he could say.
"And, what's more" she continued, @if a of
my age wants marriage, she has got to go after it, 60
where to be met. stopped for week in Chi
cago; bought several gowns copies of Paris models
they're sinfuly beautiful, Henry,-and while l wasn't
shopping toied and saved dancing school, relearn-
ing the of my feet And having thus fully equipped
myself as first-rate adventures here ami
"But-but-why the widow"
3How simple you are-for who pretends to
cynical omniscience in regard to mankind! Don't you
know that an old maid of thirtyive is drug the
marriage market; whereas widow of thrty-fve if she
dresses well, is at the top of her chances?'
3Oh!" said he.
HOf course, she went on, "if 1 meet someone whom
care for and who for me- SHALL before we marry
confess the whole dreadful fraud"
Il suppose that would be BEST he mumbled
He was still dazed. Thirty-fve she had said. In the
soft light of the balcony she looked than
ty-fve, and very spirited twenty-five at that. In
fact, she hardly looked older only mature than
that dim long ago when she and he
She speaking again, in sober key.
You when people reach your age and mine they're
likely to let down, and get into rut and grow old be-
fore their time That's what was doing simply had
to make break for it, pull myself out of it. I'm full of
energy and vitality and youth my best years ahead
of me-ust the your best still ahead of you.
And I'm going to make the most of these years
She stood up. Below she saw Gordon looking about,
and she spoke of having promised him the next dance,
and went down. Western watched her swinging about
with Gordon as he watched he thought; and back
again in his hotel room, he continued thinking.
CERTAINLY Joan was amazing! The boldness, the
audacity, the cleverness of her plan, and the sml-
ing frankness with which she confessed it all to him!
And yet, why shouldn't she marry? Yes he respected
her all the for her determination way she
had taken her life in her hand and, smiling, soulfuy
Serious set forth upon her high adventure She deserved
a good man. Was that Gordon the she had in her
eye? Certainly he had seemed attentive-and he
seemed fine figure of man, forty that was still
youthful
What was that thing she had said? Oh, yes-about
ones getting into rut and growing old before ones
time; and that ny best years still ahead of
just the your best still ahead of you" Just
the same yours. He moved UP before the
mirror and gazed at the Details unkempt hair
which struggled his ears, his slouchng shoulders,
his baggy which stood aloof an inch or two from
his collar
GroaUing old before ones time :. Best years still
ahead. His gaze in the mirror grew question
ing, troubled.
THE expectation that Western had brought to Pine
Bay to lounge about at his ease, gathering indul-
gent satrca impressions of his fellow fools-ths ex-
pectation ceased to exist from that first evening the
Casino.
On the next day, and the next he saw Joan in other
of her 3snfully beautiful" copies of Paris models And
she knew how to wear her butterfly clothes too! She
graceful, buoyant, radiant with infectious delight
at her rebirth.
He had no doubt now that the man she was playing
for Gordon Other followed her with sparkling
eyes, and sought her company; but approached
her with more obvious yet delicate attention And Joan
seemed to like him. Already, Western observed the
restraints of new acquaintance melting before
warming intimacy; once, in fact he overheard Gordon
call her Joan" instead of his usual @rs Gray with
sign of rebuke or rebuff from her.
Certainly, Western had to admit, there every
apparent for Joans being attracted by Gordon
He seemed an ideal person for Toan Her romance