Evening star., 1915-11-28

hairdressers, beauty parlors. modistes
who knew not only the latest styles
but the vogue to come for months
ahead. She went to the opera and to
every play in which she felt the slight
est interest. She Joined a club whose
dues had heretofore made her men,
bershfp prohibitive. Then she looked
at her calendar The FIVE months were
up and the doctor had told her to come
to him at the end of that time.
He examined her carefully. What
have you been doing with yourself?'
he asked.
Nothing. Just enjoying myself.
replied Miss Libbie.
Enjoying yourself. with death star
ing you in the face?"
But it's all the time I'll have to en-
joy myself replied Libbie. plaintively.
GO right on enjoying yourself for
six months unless you feel worse in
the meantime" said the doctor Then
drop in sooner"
Couldn't you make it a year?" ask
ed Miss Libbie. Il want to go abroad
and l don't want to come back in less
than year
The old doctor threw back his head
and roared. Excuse me, my dear
young lady, but l couldn't help it. /
was just wishing that all my doomed
patients would get as busy enjoying
life as you. Go to Europe and stay
for year or two, unless you need me
sooner"
Libbie fingered on in the old world
until she awoke with shock to the
fact that she had spent nearly three
years of her precious few abroad BY
the time she became settled in her
own home again she would have but
one. She wanted to die in that dearly
beloved little home.
Thorpe came to see her before she
had been at home a week. He gave
visible start when he met Libbie,
but he merely remarked, You are
changed"
IT'S good to see you again." cried
Libbie. holding out both hands But
I'm sorry you notice that I'm changed.
| don't feel much different and I was
"Oh, anybody would notice that
you're changed replied Thorpe.
When Libbie had been at home a
couple of weeks she decided to set
her business affairs in order She
found that there remained but a thou
sand dollars Of her fund. Just
for those last things" thought Lfbbie.
There was still the little house to be
left to somebody. Why not leave it
to Thorpe? He was her only friend.
and what might it not mean to him.
a month?
That night Libbie repeated to Thorne
what the doctor had told her nearly
five years before.
And all these years you've known
this?' he gasped. ''Why, you're a dead
game sport. darling. You surely are"
You mustn't call me such things"
said Libbie. with a smile. but there
were tears in her eyes. Then she told
him Of her plan about the house.
TT would be the most precious place
in the world to me-" said he. That's
why I'd like IT. and not because of any
other reason"
DO you know, Thorpe, when one
gets where I am all conventions seem
set aside" said Libbie. Sometimes
I've thought I'd like to have you with
me at the last. It's lonesome going
out alone"
Thank you, dear. I've been trying
for weeks to ask you once more" said
Thorpe. "And do ask you now to be
my wife. and I shall try to care for
you as never man cared for woman
before"
"Bless you," said Libbie. resting her
hand tenderly on Thorpe's bowed head
She was remembering his pa1try salary
and thinking that it was we'll indeed
the weeks were numbered.
So Libbie and Thorpe were quietly
and Thorpe came to take up
his abode in the little home. Then
Libbie felt that she could hear DR..
Williams ultimatum without faltering.
well. we'll. you have taken some
latitude in meeting your appointment,
young lady he said
Then he gaze fer the final examina- !