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

whisper. "Oh, dear, how 1 should
like to read real lovers letter I"
And all the time Lesbia Field sat
quite silent, her eyes fixed on vacancy,
and troubled curve to her lip.
The three girls were guests of Mrs
Delacroix, an elegant elderly lady,
who liked to surround herself with the
society of attractive young people,
seeing that she had no daughters and
nieces of her own.
She had met Lesbia Field, one sum-
mer, in lonely place in the woods,
and had perceived her capabilities at
once.
"That GIRL" said Mrs. Delacroix,
''has 1t in her to make success in So
ciety. The idea of her wasting her
sweetness in place like this I"
And she boldly asked Aunt Zilpah
Field to "lend" Lesbia to her, for
season.
"She hain't got no clothes" said
the old woman, obviously, adjusting
her spectacles on the bridge of her
nose. "That is, fit for the city. To-
be-sure, she's got a little school
teachin' money laid up. and could
lend her fifty dollars out of the
bank"
ooh, I'll see to all that" said Mrs.
Delacroix, joyfully.
OF course Lesbia was fascinated bv
the charming city lady, and allowed
herself to be carried off without the
least protestation. And, in the gen
eral novelty and confusion of things.
she never said word about her en-
gagement to Thomas Tarbox.
Thomas was hard working school
master in an adjoining country dis
trict, and Lesbia had thought it
great piece of good fortune when he
asked her to be his wife.
They had planned simple country
home and a lifetime of quiet happi.
ness together, and Mr.. Tarbox was
rather surprised when he heard of
Lesbia's abrupt departure. Nor did
the letter she afterward sent him quite
explain the puzzle.
'Lesbia is young" he told himself.
"she will enjoy brief glimpse of
the city,"
"Thomas will never understand |"
was Lesbias impatient thought
Mrs. Delacroix had borrowed Les
bia for only few weeks at first, but
a year went by. Aunt Zilpah paid
the debt OF nature, and still Miss
Field remained with Mrs. Delacroix.
81 couldn't spare her, any way in
the world" said the fashionable lady.
"She writes my notes, prepares my
menus and reads to me in that sweet
voice of hers. My cousin, Grace Bur-
ney, is very well, and dear little Err
nestine, my husbands relative, is a
gem; but Lesbia suits me exactly"
Yes, 1t was q letter from Thomas
Tarbox. He had an opportunity to
come to New York, he wrote. He
wanted to burrow among the treasures
of the Astor Library for some data
for an article he was preparing on
SAncient Coins and Their Signifi-
cance," and he looked forward with
pleasure to'the chance of seeing Les
bia ut last.
"How delightful" !" said Mrs. Della.
croix. "Of course, you're enrap-
tured, dear
Lesbia looked up with a sudden
start--a conventional smile.
Was she enraptured?
And in the samo moment q guilty
pang pierced her heart. She felt like
an arch. traitress.
"Ask him to come here" said Mrs.
Delacroix. "There's the little room
over the breakfast parlor-just the
very thing for bachelors den."
"Oh, thanks, it's very kind of you I
said Lesbia, feeling her color come
and 90. "But, IL don't think he't
like it here as we'll rs quieter place
He's rather shy and-and unaccus
toned to society"
"Ah!" said Mrs, Delacroix.
But she looked somewhat curiousl,
at Lesbia's burning cheek q