The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-10-26

lie was singuarly anxious 10 read the
daily papers.
ga body'd think you'd boon spccu-
latin, john" observed Mrs. Hunt.
one day, as she repeated some remarks
Il third time before he heard her.
A queer look settled over his face
but he made no response.
But all ut oncc he uttered stiilcd
exclamation and started TO his feet;
his face bal grown unusually pale and
the hand which graspcd his hat trem-
bcd with nervous agitation.
81 must 20 up 10 town, Emily" he
exclaimed, sat once! Where's Bess?"
Mrs. Hunt looked her a.tonisl-
mcnt.
"To town." she repeated, blanlily.
"Why, you was there only last Salur-
day! Anything happcncd?' with II
glance at the paper, which had ilut-
tered unhccdcd to the floor.
"NO, not much, only-wcll, never
mind"
Two, three hours past. Jcssica and
Minerva came IN. two strong, florid
girls with loud voices and blunt man.
ncrs, and Immediately demanded
"dnd"
Poor, ,mys.iicd Mrs. Hunt shook her
head.
al don't know, girls, but he said he
was going in town. Business, /
guess"
" Humph!" " calculated Jcssica.
"Wherc's Bessie? Conc with him?"
"No. She went for something;
I've forgot. But any rate, she's round
somewhere"
The Misses Hunt exchanged glances,
but deigned no reply to the patient,
overworkcd mother. who was rather
afraid of these sclf-rcliant daughters,
prcfcrring in her heart gentle. mi,un-
derslood Bessie before either.
II was several hours past the time
for their early tea when John Hunt
came home. Abram Alvey was with
him, and his lips were compressed in
II thin. hard line.
John Hunt himself, during the
short time he had been absent, seemed
to have grown years older. lie was
pale, restless, aud the hand which he
rested OH the table shook as with
palsy.
Ills wife came forward, seriously
alarmed.
"What happened, John! Anything?
BE you sick? Just sit down and let
me get you good, strong cup O. tea
light oil, ltil do you good" for in
spite OF the clouds which sometimes
obscurcd their domestic horizon, Emil
ly Hunt was loyal and true to the
man whom in her earlier youth she
had chosen for better, for worse.
lie made gesture of repugnancc
at the suggestion of food or drink,
81 can't eat anything, wife," he
said, MS he threw his arms across the
table in n hopeless. detected fashion,
aud hid his face upon them. oil
tell her Abram."
"lIe has been speculaiin'," went OH
that individual, the rigid lines in his
face never softcning, the tones of his
voice hard and metallic as cold steel
"speculatin', | tell you, and has ended
by running his family. That's ALT"
Mrs. Hunt sank helplcssly into the
nearcs; chair and stared, speeches.,
at her brother. Jessica and Minerva
clung together on the sofa, an express
sion of almost ludicrous dismay OH
their faces.
"Wcll, l ncver!" exclaimed Min
erva, the first to break the heavy
silence that cnsued. "Father, what
ever possessed you?"
Jessica suddenly burst into violent
fit of weeping. The bent figure beside
the table never moved.
"Father! Look up"
Without glance in either direction,
tall, straight, with bright spot burn
ing in either check and brilliant
glitter in her eyes, Bessie suddenly
crossed the room and knelt gently,
sympalhetlcally, beside her fathers
chair.
"Fathcr! Don't take il so to hcarti
1t cannot be so lad, and" in u lower
tone, 81 will hclp You now.'
Then John Hunt raised his head,
CLEAN of hope stealing into his drcary