The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-05-24
LITTLE GRAY LADY
BY MILDRED WHITE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

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was sure that he could not be In love
+, with SO quiet and colorless person
D and he decided, deliberately, to marry
e her for money.
The gray lady's real name was
Barbara Waite, and her father, q
ranch owner, had left her lot of
money.
Barbara studied her lessons ut 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 serviceableness
were usually of soft gray, and her
eyes, too, were gray, wistfully appeal
Ing us a 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 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
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 &C.
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 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 |
mol. fal fnr In
And then one day he came to her |
frankly, brutally almost, and told her
that he was going away.
II can't stand 1t any longer" said
Joe. II thought could, but 1 can't.
1.-THE truth Is l 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 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 MS clOtneS.
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-
ly. IF money was all that you wanted
when you married me, why you are
still married TO the money and I'll
send II on until you find the work, or
whatever II 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 q posi-
ton that paid. He worked hard ut II
and made a success. When Barbara's
checks came TO him he saved them,
returning them later In 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 fiaunt-
ed attractions tired him, as did those
pleasures which he had formerly en-
joyed.
II was inexplicable; success In his
grasp, the companionshlp Of men
whom he had coveted, and yet--dis-
satisfaction. Joe marveled on his
need, when illness seized him-a long
and serious illness, leaving him help
lessly weak In a city hospital. Conva-
lescence brought no promise of con-
tentment, happiness he almost ceased
TO hope for. unless
A small soothing hand caressed his
forehead. JOe's dark conquering eyes
opened listlessly, then were alight with
eagerness. The little gray lady stood
beside him, her gray eyes soft with
her cheeks twin roses be-
meath his ardent gaze. Joe put his big
hands TO clasp hers.
ut was YOU. Won. that 1 wanfed all .