The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-08-15

den fancy crossed her mind OF the lit
tie schoolma'am of Saconda listening
to Thomas Tarbox's prosaic suit.
Could it be possible that she was the
same girl? And she didn't write the
letter, after all.
Mrs. Delacroix had ordered two ex-
quisite frocks for Lesbia and Grace.
"My girls must look az well as any
one at this grande affairel" said she.
"Who knows but that they will meet
their destinies?"
The Staats- -Burgoyne mansion was q
blaze of silver.tongued electric lights,
q crush OF flowers, q dream of Partisan
toilettes, and in their midst Mrs.
Delacroix felt proud consciousness
that Lesbia. iu her ivorywhite satin
and rich old lace, set off by the De.
lacroix pearls, looked like q white
rosebud, newly opened. She pulled
at her hostess sleeve.
"Dear Mrs. Stats -Burgoyne, she
whispered, sis that the Eastern trav-
eler-the tall man with the straight
Greek profile and the towering height?
Pray introduce him to Lesbia. 1 do
so want the dear girls to meet him"
Mrs. Stats. .Burgoyne smiled grac-
iously.
Miss Field" said she, "allow me
to present to you Mr. Evelyn"
Lesbia turned with little start
from n group of fair maidens with
whom she was talking.
The Eastern traveller bowed low,
but Lesbia stood as if she were rooted
to the ground.
Miss Field does not remember that
we are old friends" said Mr.. Evelyn,
with certain well-bred composure.
81 would have come to you at once,
Miss Field, but you forbade me. I
am now awaiting your summons.
'It-is never-Thomas Tarbox I"
stammered Lesbia, her heart beating
as if it would burst through its prison
of satin and pearls.
"They call me Tom Evelyn now,"
said the elegant stranger, smiling Gu
riously. at was the condition on
which inherited the fortune that has
enabled me to travel. would have
written you all about it, Lesbia, if
you had condescended to answer my
last letter. Will you favor me with
the third waltz? And then perhaps
we shall be able to talk little more
comprehensively."
He turned with consummate ease to
greet new crowd of strangers, all
eager to be introduced to the lion OF
the evening
Lesbia gazed at him with deli
cious pride ofpossession and yet, was
he still hers?
"Lesbiai" cried Grace Burney.
"You little arch deceiver, you have
played us all false You are the
other girlr
Then, for the first time in her lie, a
sensation of mad jealousy gripped at
her heart.
Was it the old love flaming up from
its half distinct ashes? or was it
newer light, born of that blissful mo-
ment?
She replied to Grace's audacious
speech only by look.
Sophy Staats-Burgoyne recoiled.
"Hush, Grace!" said she. "She's
really angry. It's case of hands
off. The other girl is not to be triaed
with"
Until the longed-for waltz came,
Lesbia Field was wretched. She looked
piteously up into Mr.. Evelyn's face as
he offered her his arm.
$50 have changed?" said he, half
milling.
"Oh, Thomasl"
Sand if you're not ashamed OF
me-"
"Please don't, Thomas!"
"My darling, pardon me-" MUIR
INJURED he. "You are prettier than
ever, and am more in love with you
than was before. Still, if you de.
sire to be released from our engage.
ment--"
"Oh, Thomas, now
"You are pale. Does this whirlins
step make you giddy2 Then We will
sit out a little while"
When they returned from the cool
shadows of Mrs. Stasts-Burgoyne's or
child house, Lesbia took the Eastern
traveller straight to Mrs. Delacroix.
'Lesbia," cried the old lady, "why
didn't you tell me?"
"Because," whispered Lesbia, 81
didn't know"
Sophy and Grace exchanged mis-
chievous glances.
"The other girl is first in the in.
nings," said they.
But little Ernestine reioiced in
spirit.
II am to carry the basket OF roses, 4"
said she, "and scatter flowers on the
brides pathway. Oh, what beauti-
full thing wedding is!"-Saturday
Night.