The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-18

Now, when FIlInbciI davenport was
twenty years old, she had been very
much in love with u young man, aud
was bclrollcd to him. She afterward
decided that slie did not love him, and
hnd sent him away. lie was proud,
and did Mt return. She at lcngti
realized that she did love him, but she
cOu,l mol call him back, for she had
no idea of his whereabouts. Then
the news of his marriage reached the
town.
So. drawing from her own cxpc-
rirncc, Miss Beth desired to save Max
aud Ethel much sorrow. She admired
Max extremely. lie was college bred,
unusually bright, aud promised 70 he
u light IN the literary world. She had
once laughingly told him that IL was
fortunate hc was five wears her junior,
she might strive 10 rival Ethel. All
this Max parried good-nniurcdly, aud
tlcy were excellent companions.
Max lived next door to Miss Beth,
aud iiud Il little habit OF dropping
in at all hours of the day. He did no,
ollrr 10 go in the evening unless Ethel
was io bc there, too.
Miss Davenport frequently sum
morcd the young people of both sexes
to help her overcome the quiet of the
evening hours. The old woman who
entertainment problem, aud the young
people adorcd Beth.
One day, after Max Mnndon had
been over in Miss Bclh's yard all the
morning, she wrote note asking him
10 come for while 10 chat with her
that evening Mux was nothing 10th
TO go II he were fortunate enough
to he the only caller, they would
discuss plots aud material. pick books
to pieces and argue the pi ogrcss of art
generally.
1t was perhaps two weeks after Max
had coriidrd To her his mi>un lrr-
standing with Ethel. aud il was about 4
o'clock in the evening when he strolcd
over in answer H. Bcth's summons.
There was II light in the parlor. aud
another in Miss Davcnports little
room over the porch. lie stood for a
moment wondering whether she were
ready to receive him yet, aud thinking
il would be better TO walk M the
street for while. But he decided to
enter.
lie was very much AT his ease in the
house, 50 when the OLD woman who
let him in told him Miss Davenport
was at home, he crossed the little
square hall, laid his hat ld cane on
the table, aud lifted the curtain of the
parlor door with perfect composurc.
But insidc-what then? lie saw II
Young lady seated facing him, evil
dcully waiting for Beth; II girl with
large blue eyes aud masses of pale
brown hair, seated with o O hand
resting between the back Of the chair
aud her head, looking straight at him
with very frightened little guzc 1t
was Ethel.
Max did not enter bevond that first
step. With a movement quick as
lightning, lie turned on his heel and
was out in the hail. lie seized his be-
longing- aud fed.
Now Miss Bcth's house, as | said
before, was Il modern one, and some
what peculiar Max, in his pcrpleXity
aud confusion, rushed out by door
that led straight to the back yard, aud
the walk ended in the door of the
stable. John, Bcth's hired man, was
in the yard. Seeing figure fee from
the house and running toward the
stable, ho naturally supposed it TO be
lhicf. One of these gentry had been
making great excitement in the neigh
borhood. So, bsforc Max could halt
on the threshold of the stable door,
pcrcciving that it was not the gate, he
found it clappcd TO behind him-upon
him-and himself II prisoner.
Ia vain he shouted and argued.
Through the heavy door his voice
sounded unnatural; aud John, excited
Iy happy at having captured the burg
lar who had been tcrrorizing the
vicinity, could not recognize it at all.
At length, finding eXpostula,ion use
less, Max lay down upon some hny
and fell asleep.
He was awakened by light shining