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RfefcMWIMIMWWIiftW then her eyes fell upon a picture in the room. Near the -window sat a man. He was really looking into a mirror, but the girls did not observe that. To all appearance he was lost in sad and dreary reflection. His face was ashen, deep rings showed about the"5yes. His whole present ment was that of a prematurely aged young man through sickness or sor row, broken down and hopeless. Almost hysterical, Greta fairly pulled her companion out of range of the house. She hurried her home ward, incoherently sobbing out her grief. "That was Mr. Griscom," she im parted, in tears, to her companion, "but, oh! how changed. Can't you see I've given my poor dear love his death blow? He has changed to a decrepit old man within a few hours. How' shall I ever forgive myself!" "This won't do, Greta!" censured Madge firmly. "Now, my dear, you try to compose yourself." "But, he, Wade, he may die!" whimpered poor, stricken Greta. "I'll see what I can do," promised Madge. "You can hardly expect me to go direct to the afflicted young man, but I will find out what I can." Madge was gone for an hour. She found Greta anxiously twisting her hands in nervous anxiety upon her return. "Did did you sea him? "questioned Greta breathlessly, "i "No, Greta, for he had left the house. I learned that" "Perhaps to leave for some far sol itude, where he can forget all my cruel treatment!" wailed Greta. "Scarcely," replied Miss Boyce. "Prom what I could gather he has gone to a theatrical entertainment at the next town." Greta looked blank. I could not be possible! A man in his despair ing condition thinking of pleasure! Oh! Madge must be mistaken, but Madge was positive and finally per suaded Greta to thinK that matters .were not as desperate as she fancied. 1 At all events she succeeded in quiet ing down her hysterical companion. Greta slept but little that night She was wretched all of the next morning. In the afternoon she went down the street Turning a corner she came face to face with Wade. She stood rooted, her face one vpld of Indescribable amazement Wade was with a friend. He was all smiles, almost jovial, conversing with his companion. He lifted his hat to Greta, excused himself to his friend and came straight up to Grela. Never had he looked so briBk, so handsome. The sunken eyes, the hollow cheeks, the dying invalid, con ditions were gone. What the mys tery? "Do you wish to see me, Miss Wil der?" questioned Wade pleasantly. "You stopped and I am delighted to think it was to speak to me. Greta stammered, flushed, paled, became dreadfully embarrassed. "Was that Is I presume you en joyed the theatrical entertainment afc Wopdville last evening," she finally managed to articulate coherently. "Oh, you know that?" he spoke, and laughed cheerily. "Yes, indeed! They gave me quite an ovation. I doubt if I deserved it" "An ovation?" repeated Greta vaguely. "It was that You know it was an amateur function. I played the old man. Made up at home and quite startled my usual friends with my haggard appearance. Why, Miss Wilder, are you ill?" Greta had moved quite unsteadily. In a shock she comprehended. The transition of old age was explained. Rouge and dyes were accountable for it. Oh, never should he know that she had witnessed the transfor mation, nor her sufferings! "I I felt slightly di?zy," stam mered Greta, and then she thrilled, forhe had stepped nearer to her and his eyes were earnest and loiging. "Miss Wilder," he said, "I have a confession to make. When you re- MMiUiititfMttflfitttt223222