Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-02-12
Scared face she had not looked into
q mirror. She combed her hair by

needed. Keener, too, was Walters
gentleness and The way his eyes would
rest upon her ia moments when she
guessed he did not realize that she
knew he was looking at her. Every.
thing seemed to combine 10 make life
more and more dismal ~ she looked
down the slope of the years.
Worst OF all. and unguessed, she
found herself being drawn more and
more 10 the tall. handsome physician.
His personality seemed To the weak
ened and worried girl a shelter within
which there was kindIlness and peace.
The full force Of the situation did
not strike her until one momentous
day, when girl came into the Office.
lovely with The loneliness that is al
ways suggestive Of June time and
roses. She was welcomed with mani
fest pleasure by Walter, and the strick-
ELI girl In her simple gray and white
dress felt the world sink about her
81 must be brave" she said to her
self must. He just pities me, and
| must not trouble him.
Two weeks went by. The Junetlde
girl came and went with Walter; and
his Interest In her presence was evil
dent.
Then came the day that bore with
ii change OF destiny.
The Junetide girl, her face flushed
with JOY. hurried from the ONCE, end
Walter. following with as much pleas
ure shining on his. went with her.
| Doris watched them go. and guess
ing what had taken place between
| them. felt the room about her grow
gray rs with dusk. From her world
the last SUNSHINE went. Through the
darkness came q suggestion. She
trembled. To 60 through life alone
an object OF pity when she was 80 hun
CRY FOR love, for beauty and happiness
and youih--it was too much
The afternoon waned. The din Of
otOne suggestive OF tides that have
| spent their force. ORA ~ing outward to
the sea. She sat in silence then quiet
| ly she went TO the cabinet IN which he
kept the drugs with which he stocked
his case. She knew every cOmpart-
ment From bottle she shook out
with u steady hand three tablets-mOr-
phine--enOugh to send ier into the
long and restful sleep which would
carry her beyond suffering, beyond
pity, beyond heartsche
Taking them. and shlverlng only
al nh lM In. h. rf ~. fasp Ad fA IN
couch and lay down. IL am sorry.
dear, for the trouble and bother shall
cause you, hut | am weary beyond
wesrlneSs'
Out OF the darkness came n voice.
nslstent. firm and thrilling. with
meaning that broke into her conscious
ness. She opened her eyes. feeling
strangely rested and al peace.
The lights were soft and sh,2ing in
The office Kneeling beside her. his
face strained with anxious question.
was Walter
doris. Doris what have yon been
trying 20 dof" The grief In his voice
woke her "a fun consciousness. Sanity
came. With low cry she sprsng up.
to find herself caught In his arms
and held tight
Don't pity me :" She begged breath
lessly
His voice indlcated that he had
found himself Il don't pity YOU" He
drew her closer TO him. 81 love YOU,
How bind YOU have been Haven't Won
seem"
Seen You love me-me?" she
questioned in n whisper.
Listen. YOU stay in my arms until
am through | do love you-hnve from
the time I saw Won IN The warf but
you have given M 40 sign-wrapped
In Your own thought is that IT."
but look al me. !"
His mellow laugh relieved the ten
sion. $50 that is it, Foolish girl.
ann not one of those who love a face:
| love The spirit behind those brown
eyes Of yourS--a troubled spirit now.
Let mo bring II peace May |? lust
say Yes ="
She chung 10 him speech was be-
yond her for the moment After
struggle She whispered And | have
loved you from the moment you
looked NJ me and spoke TO me, hut
did not dream"
"'rhe dream begins now, my dear, 70
come true" l. lips brushed her
warm md quiverng ones. Let's close
the office Then we'll go for IL long
Spiu under the stars We"
She remembered. Horror filled her
eyes Put took morphine Why
did"
NE" he said gently II was worried
about you. and was fearful myself. l
had filled tina, bottle with harmless
sugar pills. Little girl. have watched
you and kept ward over Won. did not
intend to lose you-waiting in hopes
that YOU would take some interest i'm
me"
The music in her heart died NJ the
shock of her recollection. At his last
words 1t started ny softly the music
that links eternity 10 eternity.
you love me-even my hdeous
face she said again. AZ N the news
were too good to he true.
He turned In his authoritative ply
Scian's way. and going to the corrl-
dor. returned with mirror. "You
sensitive soul You ought 10 know those
scars have faded ont :"