The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-04-26
rose aud shook hands with Miss Brad

always WclCOtne NisitOr ~ neE
mothers house, and as he looked back
over the days which had passed since
their first meeting it worried him TO
think how the hours spent with her
had grown part of his life.
Ills friends had begun to comment
upon "Bachelor Jacks" infa,ualion,
aud he never even tried to hide 1t. To
young Strange he even coniidcd his
"foolishncss"-when in the mood. lie
had introduced tho young man to his
divinity and often wondered ut his
lack of enthusiasm on the subject.
Ned Strange was in that period of
cynicism common to the youth aud hc
laughed scornfully over the fact of
cold Marlcy's being in lovc!" What
could such II grave aud icvcrned
scignor see in little, simple innocent
girl. lie (Slrangc) thought it wrong
TO bring up girl like that.
This was ut first, but by the lime
Sophie had made her debut. creating
quite furor with her charming face,
young Strange silently succumbcl,
and, though he never admitted II, in
his heart he was one Of Sophie's
lovers.
One day Strange was sitting in the
Bradlcy's parlor waiting, when Marley
came in. lliI grave face aud Il rest
lessncsS in his manner told that some
thing was cup" lie flung himself
down Oh the sofa aud began at once.
"Ned, you aud have always been
friends, have we not2 l. did you u
service once; want something from
you IN return" lie laughed some
what constrainedly. you've known
from the first that | loved Sophie
Bradley. l told you when | brought
you here, old man. Yes, know I'm
too old and serious, but it's just this
l love her so that l must know my
fate. Whatever she decides | shall
accept without word. If she should
care only Heaven knows what it would
mean to me! If not-wcll, God help
me! Ned, will you-tcl her for me?
rm coward, man, when | think Of
this" and hc ran hand to his gray
hairs. 81 have no right to ask her,
but-Oh, you can plead my cause.
Tell her no younger man could love
her as-l-do. Ned, will you do
this?"
The younger man had grown livid.
lie did not look up, but he nuitcred
hoarscly. "Ycs."
just then they heard Sophie singing
rs she came in from the hall. Jack
escaped into the back room.
GLOW do you do, Mr.. Stranger"
she said. aud there was such p prctty
flush IN her cheeks, and such an odd
light in her blue eyes. She sat down
near the window and seemed to be
waiting for something.
lie crossed the room to her side.
lie noticed how quickly sho drew her
breath.
"Sophic, | have something to tell
you, may l?'
Surely" she said, her eyes fastened
Oh her fingers playing ncrvously with
the folds of her dress.
"Dcar, l want to talk of lovc-a
mans love that has been growing
until now it is too strong for silence.
Since that night when you wore my
flowers to your first ball l have
thought only of YOU"
lie did not notice how her fingers
grew still aud the rcd faded out of
her checks as she shrank away from
him.
"Sophic, do you love me, and will
you bc my wifc?'
Silence for n minute, and he could
not understand tho way she looked ut
him. Then, as she turned away and
covered her face with her hands, ho
thought it JOY and lost all fear of a
refusal.
"Sophie"-
"I think" she interrupted, hesitate
ingly, that-illere-is some one
"Oh. you mean old Marley?" lie
laughed. al always suspected it, but
| don't suppose he ever means to tell
you so."
"Ono moment" she said suddenly,
going to the door Of that back room.
Gently, but imperativcly, she called