The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-01-01

brown eyes and tawny hair. As she
stood there with the soft furs about
her, she reminded him OF some bar
barrie 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 Deau-
ty did not make it's usual appeal 10
him that mingled with her sinuous
grace, was also something OF feline
cruelty.
".Those furs probably cost more than
my months salary" he muttcred. Her
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 stiiie MIN,
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, a prominent society
hostess, inviting him to attend din
ner she was giving that night.
THAT doesn't fit III with the load or
work | must get through with before
office hours tomorrow" YEARLY ne
laid a package of business papers on
the table and rested his read in his
hands. What does It all amount to
what does life amount to-" he ques-
toned despondently. These people
who invite me do not really care Tor
me. 1t 10 merely because fill In ano
make an agreeable dinner guest. ana
for that / have practically given up
my old friends"
He realized that his present mooo
was the reaction from exhilaratfon OF
conquest which tho past year OF al
most spectacular success had given
him.
I'D like to chuck the whole thing
and go back. II only l could have
talk with Alice in the old way, I'd feel
myself again" He sat Up with new
energy. II wonder IL she'd let me
Gomez"
There was need to- look In the tei'e-
phone book for the familiar number.
With breathless suspense he watte0
while the landIady called Miss Glea"
son to the phone, and at the sound OF
her voice his heart began to- pound
boyishly. She was serenesy gracious
yet he detected note Of surprise rs
he asked permission to call. Then she
spoke of the roses, and added:
81 can't begin to describe nay delight
over that quaint old English book. IL
filled a long-feft want for the posses
sion of q real first edition." Mechan'
ically he responded, questioning him"
self the while: what book? Did
make a mistake and send Miss Fen
toms Christmas gift to AllceY In
| nay logged WEAKNESS must have CAV
en- the dealer the wrong address" he
/ thought of Marguerite's demand OF tn"
best as her due, and sense OF impish
Joy swept over HIM at the mistake
which had defeated the usual order.
I He sent a messenger boy with
| note to Mrs Dane containing regrets
for the dinner, then dressed and hur-
|. ried to the lodging house on Fleet
Estreet.
L "Shurre, and you're stranger
Ethese days, Mr.. Landers," remarked
the maid who opened the door. AS
she went upstairs to call Miss Glea-
son her round Irish face reminded him
/ of CHEEKY full moon. He glanced at
1.-THE worn old hairclotf sofa, and CEN
fter table strewn with magazines, the
familiar shabbiness of the little par
/ or made the past year seem as unreal
las a feverish dream.
/ When Alice entered she seemed to
Ebring with her an atmosphere or Sc
Erenity and peace. Eagerly he rose.
then sank back on the sofa, his face
Invent white and everything blurred be-
| fore him.
what is It, Edwin, are you ILL.," she
cried, in her alarm the old name
slipped out unconsciously.
He passed his hand over his eyes In
a dazed fashion. Not is nothing"
he muttered. Then. earnestly, Il am
tired--weary with life as 1t is. 1t la
you only want, Alice. you, alone in
the wide world that love. Is there
any hope?"
His voice sank almost to whisper.
and for one tense moment there was
silence In the little room. Then. by way
Of answer, she drew the poor, tired
| face against her breast with ges-
ture OF ineffable tenderness.
| In that moment, Lander felt that to
his weary questtonings as TO what was
worth while, the answer was not ma
terial success, but love which meana
life in it's fullness.
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