The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-22

ICcut huTIy W Sc' siu VI h'O' D'e'
seem to take-evidently blames me,
too. However, don't usually talk to
empty seats" Then ho laughed.
"Fancy me getting cross and rowing
with that poor little girl about the
umbrellai But sho was game and l
had to prove my claim. She evident
| ly thought was determined to make
sure of some remuneration for my
services. Hope 1 shall see her again"
This hope was destined to be speed
lily realized. Tbs next day when Mr..
Ransomo went TO the society rooms to
meet the committee for whom he had
lccturcd Lucy Dean was thcre and
shyly apologized to him for her blum
der of the evening before. She cX-
planned that her mother had borrowed
her umbrella without her knowledge.
lie found her pretty embarrassment
very attractive and asked for permis-
sion to call at her home; this was
given him and he soon availed himself
of il. She was a merry, intelligent
little thing, and her fits of shyness,
when a sense of his awfulness rs n
dominic came over her, added touch
of piquancy which fascinated him.
lie found Ms. Dean, who was only
plumpcr and maturer Lucy, n pleas
ant companion when her daughters
conversation resolved itself into prim
monosyllablcs, and he paid the elder
lady so many na,tering attentions that
she was half inclined to believe Lucy's
almirer her own. Indeed, Lucy
might have been of that opinion, too,
if it had not been for an occasional
expression in his eyes when they rest
ed on her, which always brought the
blood to cheek and brow.
As the days passed on Mr.. Ransomc
discovered that Lucy exactly realized
his ideal of womanhood. The idea of
q final separation from her was intol-
erablc. When the time for him to
resume his city duties drew near he
knew that he wanted to take her with
him, that he desired her for his wife.
But, puzzled by her shyness, hc was
not able to discover how she regarded
him.
They wero walking together one
evening when ho suddenly resolved to
end his suspense and ask her to be-
come his wife. Lucy listened, dazcd.
She could not realize that her secret
dreams Ii d become real. The tre-
mendous fact that he whom she had
set upon pedestal of dignity and
learning was only man, pleading for
her love, seemed impossible to face.
She could not lift her eyes to his, aud
when he tried to draw her nearer she
felt sudden, loving fear of him.
Habit and girlish modes,y were bar
ricrs too great to be overcome at once.
She gave him one swift glance and
then broke away aud fed toward
home.
He stood there, gazing after the fly.
ing figure. Disappointed love, wounded
pride and amazement struggled within
him. lie searched his memory to see
if be had ever heard of any girl who
had received declaration Of love In
like manner. Alas! he had not. lie
sadly concluded that somo other man
must have been before him and thai
she dreaded to tell him so.
/ "Even though she does not love me
would have given me a chance If there
, were no one else," he said.
The next few days were wretchet
ones to both. Lucy knew that she hat
wounded Mr.. Ransome and was in do
spair because she had apparently re-
jected the love she really desired. Sh'
longed to tell him she was sorry, bu
! felt that to do so would be 10 surrender
entirely, and that she found as hare
. to do as ever. She hoped he woul,
sock her again, and % force upon he
t the opportunity she was not brav'
enough TO seek.
, And then, alas! he came on tn
: very afternoon on which she went 70
walk down the secluded path wher
I lie had made his proposal, to live owe
= again the scene which was ever i
t her thoughts.
9 Mr.. Ransome approached the hous
with wavering courage, aud on beinI
$ informed that she was not at home
d Immediately concluded that she re
d fused to SEQ him, and he departe