The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-01-12

evening" he began artfully. poor fell
low, his lnfirmity does make him unso-
cable at times"
His infirmity? Why, what is the
matter with hlm?" she asked alarmed.
81 have never heard of anything"
Don't you know that he's color
blind?" he raped out.
"Color-blindT" Maud echoed.
eyes. He's really unfit to be among
people. It's a wonder he doesn't make
a guy of himself, going about in green
trousers and red waistcoat, for he'd
never know the difference. He knows
1t, too, and is getting more morose in
consequence. People with such infirmi-
ties are always unpleasant to live with
for any time"
Doesn't he see any color at all?"
Maud asked.
"Only blue and yellow, 1 believe" he
answered.
Maud grew thoughtful, and Stillwell
took her back into the room, curious
to know what would be the effect of
his words. She danced little after that,
and Dalton oon disappeared.
Ten days before her birthday Maud
Leander suddenly took it into her head
to have her parlor re-carpeted and re-
hung.
I'm tired Of those red hangings,"
was all the explanations she vouch-
safed to the aunt who lived with her.
81 want other colors,-blue for the
carpet, and white and gold for the
wall"
at seems foolish to do this now"
said the aunt, disapprovingly. with
your birthday so near at hand, you
should think how best you can fulfill
the conditions of the will, and deco
rate your rooms afterwards. It's a
trifling matter now.
"The color of my rooms is by no
means a trifle just now," said Maud
emphatically, and then relapsed into
silence.
what have you decided to do on
your birthday" the aunt asked again.
Maud shrugged, with a twinkle in
her eye.
you know that you must decide
then or lose a life income the aunt
persisted. ut would be a pity to have
all that money go out of the family"
"If 1 can't get the husband 1 want /
won't take any, and 1 don't care who
gets the money. I'm not a bargain to
be given away in that fashion. These
hangers-on have just disguised me.
They don't come for me, but for my
money, and I won't have one of them.
1 want a man who will love me for my
own sake. And if there is none, I'd
rather lose a life income and be my
own mistress"
you girls are getting altogether too
independent" sighed Aunt Mary, who
belonged to IN older generation.
BY the end of the week the room
was re-hung, a symphony in blue and
gold, and Maud vas receiving the duty
calls after her party. All her suitOrs
came. And Edward Dalton came, too,
one stormy evening when no one else
ventured out, and Stillwell was kept
away by an appointment.
Entering the parlor, that in its bright
colOrs had hitherto seemed to him
merely grey, he opened his eyes wide
in surprise. What a transformation !!
1t was radiant with color and light,
and in this blue glow stood she, no
longer the grey figure he had had al
ways found her, but gowned in blue
from head to foot. Never had she
looked so bewitching. And never had
she been so gracious. Love over
brimmed his heart, and yet his tongue
found no words to utter it. When,
after an hour he rose to go and her
soft hand fingered a moment in his
for the goodnight and her eyes were
fixed intent on his with a question,
passionate words rose to his lips. Then
suddenly he turned and left her.
Maud went back into her blue-and-
gold parlor with tears in her eye Had
it all been an illusion? He did not
are for her? Long and long she
thought 1t all over. She had done all
what maiden could do to make a man
speak, and all for nothingI
There still was time. Day by day
she waited, but he did not come again
She lost heart for everything and even
refused to join a party her best friend
gave in her honor on the eve of hel
birthday. That evening she wanted tC
be alone, and gave strict orders to the
maid to admit no visitors. Then, gown
ed in her pale blue muslin, she wen
down into her blue-and-gold parlor Il
weep over the dream Of her hopes that
were vanishing. And as she sat there
all the color seemed to fade out Of the
room.
81 must see Miss Leander, If onl!
for m moment"
She flew to the door.
"Oh, come In Mr.. Dalton. I've beer
waiting for you," she burst out, will
so much fervor that his love, too, a
last was kindled into speech.
When Aunt Mary came down, al
ho,,r oto. che Foy,nI @ho0, agAA1-- Aa-.