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

Shc was q little gray lady. So Joe,
the Westerner, thought of her. He
was sure that he could not be in love
with SO quiet and colorlesS "a person.
and he decided. deliberately, TO marry
her for money.
The gray lady's real name was
Barbara Waite, and her father, a
ranch owner, had left her 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 Serviceubleness,
were usually OF a soft gray, and har
eyes, too. We're gray, wistfully appeal
ing as child's. 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 yet old. Yes. he would marry her
for her money. In "A lifetime of labor
and good fortune he might not accu-
mulate such a sum.
She had never known Il lovers at
tention, he decided, nor, In all prob
ability had an admirer. Wooing
would be easy. Many signing madens
had fallen before the unusual charm
of the mans adoring dark eyes-which
had not been adOring after all, but
faithleSs. He would first show Bar
bara devotion, rendering her in her
loneliness sympathy and helpful serv-
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-
cepted Big Joe's many deeds of kind
ness.
Often he felt Barbara Waite's eyes
upon him, and when he looked back at
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 cume 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, brutally almost and told her
that he was going away,
Il can't stand it any longer" said
Joe. II thought / could, but / can't,
THE truth is / married you for
money, Barbara, and the money
doesn't seem to bring me happiness.
I've got to 20 away"
The little gray lady did not cry out ;
she did not reproach him. She just
sat and studied for time his flushed
daring face. IAN 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.
L.. tool. 4I.. tap Gntr,n ttv,sy IN " e, q
disappointed.
"Good-by joe" she said insinuating-
". of money was all that you wanted
when you married me, why you are
stlu married to the money and I'll
send it Oh until you find the work, or
whatever it is that you need
His bravado failed. He wanted to
thank her wanted to refuse her per-
picking generosity, but 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. He worked hard at it
and made a success. When Barb0ra's
checks came to him he saved them,
returning them later in "a neat pile. He
met Young woman-the daughter
of his employer who supposed him
to be free and who was gracious In her
hospitality. But her gayety and haunt-
cd attractions tired him, as did those
pleasures which he had formerly en-
jorod.
It was ineXplicable; success in his