The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-07-18

| not make out what IL was, though he
| puzzled that honest head of his until
he thought that he was going to have
| brain fever. The new look in Ovens
eyes haunted him. IL was always in
his brain in the daytime, and 1t kept
him awake at night. He felt impelled
TO do something--but what? That was
the question.
AT last one day he found Gwen oil
by herself in the library, crying over
the fire. and that was the climax. He
never could bear to see woman in
tears, and when IL came to the woman
he loved, why
"Miss Warrington, he said, hur-
riedly. ''Miss Warrington, you are
in trouble of some sort Will you
tell me what il isl" Then, as she did
not answer at once, his hand fell
heavily on her shoulder, and he add
ed, "For Gods sake, don't cry"
Gwen checked her sobs with an
effort, and raised her tear-dimmed
eyes to his face.
"Oh Mr.. Helmsleigh, she exclaimed,
'I am in great trouble, and---and you
are so good and kind. If only you
could help me-"
''Give me n chance" Bob returned,
shortly. "Fm stupid sort of chap,
l know; no good at tall talk. But II
there's anything in the world can do
for you, I'll do it. Do you believe
me?"
ooh, yes," answered Gwen, putting
ont her hand to him with an impulsive
gesture, while the tears brimmed
over afresh.
Bob took the trembling little hand
and held it in a strong, close clasp--a
clasp that seemed to carry help and
comfort with it.
"That's right" he said "Now, let
me hear all about it. But don't cry
for PHYS sake, don't cry like that.
You'll send me mad if you do. Come,
dry your eyes"
'1t's about Phil" Gwen went on,
mopping her eyes obediently. "Of
course, it's about Phil. Oh, Mr.. Helm
sleigh. you have known Phil 80 much
longer than have, and you must un-
derstand him better. Can you tell
me why he is $3.50 queer with me?"
This was somewhat of facer. Bob
ran his fingers through his short dark
hair and drew deep breath.
"Don't you know?" he asked.
Gwen shook her head.
"No."
"Well, I'm blessed if 1 do" said
Bob.
Gwen went on in low, hurried
tone.
''Phil has never been to me what
other girls lovers are to them; but
don't know why. only wish did.
He seemed fond enough of me before
we were engaged, but now--well, of
course the whole thing is miserable
failure, and it gets worse. 1t isn't
thst Phil is unkind to me; he is as
kind and good and patient as man
could be. He considers me before
himself; there is nothing he wouldn't
do for me, but--but--he doesn't love
me. That is the root of the whole
matter"
Her voice broke with pathetic lit
tie quiver that went straight to Bob's
heart. He looked down at the child
ish forlorn figure, half lost in the big
leather chair, and felt wild impulse
to take it in his arms. But he re-
strained the impulse somehow.
"'Well," he said, as quietly as he
could, cts riddle, isn't itf 1 wish
] could help you to read it. Old Phil
must be lunatic--nothing less than n
lunatic."
"No," Gwen answered, sadly, che
is not lunatic-far from it--but
there is something l don't understand. I"
She looked up at Bob again, and laid
her hand lightly on his arm. Such q
pretty little hand. 1t looked like a
snowflake on his rough coat sleeve.
"Will you do something for me?" she
asked; 81 know can trust you, and
you are Phil's oldest friend; but you
must say if you mind very much"
Bob turned his head away, for he
dared not meet her eyes just then. But
he took hold of her hand and squeezed
it hard.
All eAihSl no o"iu.
"Then," Gwen went on, "try and
find out from Phil what it is that has
come between us, and if l can do any
thing to put it right. I have tried
and failed. But you may succeed.
Will you try?"
"Yes," said Bob, just as he would
have said it, if she mad asked him to go
to the other end of the world for her.
That same evening he broached the
subject to Phil. 1t was rather big
fence to tackle, but he shut his eyes
and rode hard at it, going straight to
the point in his laundering, honest
way.
Phil hesitated little at first, but in
the end he told the truth.
"You see, old chap" he said, 'it'i
like this. The whole affair is ghastly
mistake all through. l never pro-
posed to Gwen at ALL"
Bob gave a great start.
"You never proposed to her at all 2
he echoed. "rhen how, in Heavens
name, did you get engaged?"
"Well," said Phil, addressing him
| aalf IN tho Arc Nit hanpanad in this