The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-10-05
PLAYED AND LOST.


a handsome young man lay stretched
at her feet On the lawn another
young couple were engaged in game
of croquet. Tho suns last gleam
lighted up Grace Munaon's face with
a halo of beauty, aud BERNARD Norton
looked at her with undisguised admir-
ion.
"Thcre is nothing so lovely as q
lovely woman" he said aloud.
Tho palo check of C.aricc Barton
flushed rs sho quickly glanced at the
speaker. 1t was the third time within
the hour that he had referred to her
cousin Grace's beauty.
"Grace is indeed lovely" she said.
al would give half my life to be as
beautiful"
'And l would give half my fortune
to have you so.'
No sooner were the words uttered
than Norton would have given much
to recall them; but he had spoken I'M
ihinkingly. Clar.cc shrank as though
she had been struck, arose quickly
and went into tho house.
al am in pretty fix now!" Nor
ton muttcrcd, as hc arose and walked
across the lawn. "That was nice
speech for fellow TO make to the
girl hc expects to marry! And Clar-
ice is rs proud as Lucifer-high-
strung as sho is plain, and that is
saying grcat deal, by Jove! I never
noticed her lack of beauty so much
before Grace came. a pity one can't
find nll things combined in ono
woman! Wonder If ought 10 apol-
ogizep Oh, well, I'm going away in
ten days and she'll forgive and for
get Absence makes the heart softer.
And with this consoling thought he
strolled on to join Grace Munson,
whose companion was just taking his
leave.
Grace was like n delicate flower
sparkling with the dew of morning.
She had soft blue eyes, an exquisite
complexion and golden hair. Alto
gether she made n picture of rare
beauty nnd 1t was no wonder Bernard
Norton found pleasure in merely look
ing at her.
That evening Clarice did not appear
in tho drawing-room, and Norton was
free to devote himself to her lovely
cousin. Mrs. Barton observed his
conduct with displeasure; from the
first sho had not approved of her
daughters suitor, and wondered what
attraction the careless, frivolous young
man held for her sensible Clarice.
Next morning note was handed
Norton. Its contents filled him with
mingled annoyance and relief.
"Whcn you receive this" Clarico
wrote, al shall have gone to my aunt
for timc. You do not love me, Bcr-
nard, and 1t is best for our engage
ment to end. Do happy in your own
way and DO very sure shall be in
minc."
That was all, and Demands self
es.oem was seriously wounded by the
epistle. But he consoled himself with
the thought that ho was now free TO
woo tho charming Grace, and at tho
end OF the month made formal
avowal Of love TO her.
al have loved you ever since VIC
met he said. "Claricc saw this and
generously set me free" And Grace,
who had become very much enamored
of hor handsome suitor, gave him the
answer he craved.
Two weeks later Mrs. Barton and
Claricc were on their way to Europe,
and bernard was trying to submit tc
tho stern decree Of Grace's father.
eyes, sir, you can marry my daugh.
ter" Mr.. Munson had said, "if you
love her well enough to wait three
years. ! am opposed to early mar
riages. No girl is fit for wedloek be.
fore she is twouty-one, and twenty.
Eve is still bettor."
It occurred to Bernard that he wa,
likely to spend the creator rart of hi'
youth In tho capacity Of an ''engaged
man." and he did not improve II
liumor thereby.
Grace was an acknowledged bell'
and for time he was pleased at hel
success. But there was secret bit
terness underlying his pleasure, foI
ha an NJ liftia Of lia batr0thod oxcen