Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-02-04
LITTLE GRAY LADY
BY MILDRED WHITE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

She was little gray lady. So Joe,
the Westerner, thought of her. lie
was sure that he could not be in love
with SO quiet and colorleSS person,
and he decided, deliberately, to marry
her for money.
The gray lady's real name was
Barbara Waite, and her father,
ranch owner, had left her "A lot of
money.
Barbara studied her lessons at her
mothers knee, and when the sweet old
lady passed on to her reward, Barbara
as patiently took up her household
burdens.
Thus. Big Joe found her. He came
recommended TO take up the manage
ment Of her lands.
The dresses that she wore from
habit. because of their seryiceubleness,
were usually of soft gray, and her
eyes, too. were gray, wistfully appeal
ing as chlds. But the hair that had
lain fair across Barbara's temples was
now gray too-befOre its time.
She was not young, Joe concluded
nor vet old. Yes, he would marry her
for her money. In a lifetime of labor
and good fortune he might not accu-
mulate such sum.
She had never known lovers at
tention he decided, nor in all prob
ability, had an admirer. Wooing
would be easy. Many signing maidens
had fallen before the unusual charm
Of the mans adoring dark eyeS-which
had not been adoring after ALL but
faithlcss. He would first show Bar
bara devotion, rendering her in her
loneliness sympathy and helpful sery-
ice; would make himself necessary by
his kindness, then abruptly absent
himself awaiting the assurance of her
affection.
If Barbara Waite was lonely with
out him, if she watched and longed as
others had done, he would return to
her and ask his question.
The little gray lady gratefully ac-
copied Big Joes many deeds of kind
ness.
Often he felt Barbara Yates eyes
upon him, and when he looked back ut
her boldly. he could detect her shy
tenderness.
So when Joe went away she missed
him-missed him with an ache that
her true heart had never known be-
fore, and when he came confidently
back to her, Barbara married him.
If he was less kindly attentive as
weeks passed, she told herself that
his greater personal interest in the
ranch was accountable for this lapse.
And then one day he came to her
frankly, brutauy almost, and told her
that he was going away.
Il can stand il any longer" said
Joe. Il thought ! could, but / can't.
1.-THE truth is | married you for
money, Barbara, and the money
doesn't seem to bring me happiness.
I've got to go away"
The little gray lady did not cry out ;
she did not reproach him. She just
sat and studied for a time his flushed.
daring face. "All right, joe" she an
swered at last, her tone almost cheer
full.
He stared at her, but she was in the
pretty chintz-draped bedroom sorting
out his clothes
Mechanically she packed his black
leather bag. you can send for the
rest Of your things when you are To-
Gated" She told him.
Joe took the bag. Some way he was
disappointed.
"Good-by Joe, she said insinuating-
~. IF money was all that you wanted
when YOU married me, why You are
sim married to the money and I'll
send il on until you find the work, or
whatever it is That you need"
His brayado failed. lie wanted to
thank her wanted to refuse her per-
picking generosity hut found the door
quickly locked and barred against him.
Barbara had taken him at his word.
Back in the East he found "a posi-
ton that paid lie worked hard at it
and made a success. When Barbnra's
checks came to him he saved them,
returning them later IN ii neat pile He
met "A young womau-the daughter
of his employer who supposed him
to be free and who was gracions IN her
hospitality, Blu, her gayety and haunt-
ed attractions tired him, as did those
pleasures which he had formerly en-
jored
II was inexpIcable; success in his
grasp, the compauionship Of men
whom he had coveted, and yet-dis-
satisfaction Joe marveled on bis
need, when illness seized him long
and serious illness, leaving him boip-
lessly weak 10 ii city hospital Conya-
Iescence brought no promise of con-
tenmeut happiness bee almost ceased
20 hope for uBie~s
IS small soothing hand oarad DTS
forehead Joe's dark o5nqgeeias eyas
opened i-trs-Iy Jhen Here aIi1htwt
eagorues4. The little gray lHal nod
beside bln her gray eyes sort #Ith
sympathy, her cheeks HIH roses he.
ueatb hl- ardent eaze Joe put bis big
hands to clasp hers
lit Nas SOU YOU that I wanted aN
the tlme, De cried WmjarIn-.E "Just