The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-11-27

from the woodshed, Miss Sylvia came
on the scene inquiring: Did you hit
one, auntie? l hope it's that old roos-
ter And then Tom saw fireworks and
all the stars. He was half senseless -
they thought he was crazy man.
Well, they called in doctor, and he
kept the boy prisoner there for six
weeks-he and Miss Sylvia, and the
result, you see, is sister.in-law."
| "a charming result, I have no
doubt" said Fordham. 'Its strik-
ing story"
They left the Office together and en-
tered the lawyers gharry that stood
waiting in the street. Tall and state
ly white buildings cast welcome
shadows along the wide thoroughfare,
and in the arcades of their lower
floors were heaped jewels, silverwork,
wrought brass, silks and shawls. The
squatting merchants guarded their
treasures with sleepy-looking, keen
eyes as they patiently waited for Gus
toners. Crowds of shoppers, idlers,
coolies and water carriers filled the
street, and the tropical sunlight
brought out the glowing richness of
brilliant .hued brocades and silken
shawls, the dazzle of white garments,
the satiny shine of bare bronze limbs
and chests. Little public hackeries,
or cabs, curtained with bright deep
colors and drawn by brisk little bul.
locks, rolled constantly by. Hump
backed cows strolled placidly among
the throngs, and pet ram with gilded
ter. Presently the gharry turned iuto
q narrow side street where luscious
fruits were heaped up in rich-hued
piles that freighted the air with spice
and perfume. Dusty roads appeared
when the business portion of the city
was left behind, and they rolled the
palm-fringed roads of Malabar hill,
the residence district of the wealthy
foreigners. At the entrance to his
bungalow Emmett alighted and Ford
ham rolled on toward his own home.
II was not far, and he was soon enjoy
ing the renovating effect of bath.
He replaced his white garments with q
negligee of India silk and became ac-
cessible to his little daughter, lovely
child with pale little face like flower.
She had been motherless for a year.
He took her on his knee and drew out
the little story of her day; then he
told her fairy tales-dainty fancies,
exquisite jesting that older and less
intimate listeners would have been
amazed to hear from the keen.t .tongued
lawyer. Then the little ones ayah
came to carry her to bed
Miss Barbara was walking slowly
homeward through the dusk. Faded
leaves dropped softly about her and
the mellow air was smoky with bon
fires. These Indian summer days
heralded the approach of Thanksgiv-
ing, but the remembrance gave her no
pleasure. For some reason-she at
tributed it to Sylvia's recen. romance
her thoughts persistently reverted
to long-gone Thanksgiving Day that
had begun for her with happiness and
ended with sorrow. On that Thanks
giving had arisen the never settled
quarrel that had parted her and her
yeung lover. He had gone immedi-
ately abroad and hastily married there.
Not until then did Miss Barbara dis
miss the man he had accounted his
rival. Their world had held her
blameworthy in the affair-perhaps
she had held herself so. Certainly life
had looked darker to her in those days
than 1t looked now. She went slowly
up the steps of her pleasant home.
Far within girlish voice sang happily
and the rooms were CHEEKY with mel
low lamp.light that revealed Miss Bar
bara a fitting mistress for the lovely
old house. Suddenly Sylvia's head
cleaned in distant doorway.
"There's letter for you, auntie, "
she called softly; "such queer look
ing thing-I laid it on the piano"
1t was foreign-looking letter, and
bore traces of long journey. Miss
Barbara examined the postmarks curl
ously. When she carried the letter to
her room q moment later her face
looked pale. Behind her locked door
the next moment she set down to read
it. With deliberate care she opened
J the envelope. It contained many thin
sheets written over in clear, manly
hand. She sought methodically for
the signature, and read the name that
, had once been dear to her. A strange,
familiar look it wore. Much was
, written between the lines of the story
! he told briefly. He had left his native
land hot with passion and the smart
of their broker engagement. Shortly
, after his arrival in India report OF
, her marriage had reached him, and.
not doubling the truth of it, he paid
court to and hastily married the
, pretty but shallow daughter of an
English Colonel stationed there. Dur
ing the years that followed he had
| striven to bear the consequences ol
his own mistake, and he had borne
l them until the burden fell from hi
! shoulders at grave. He spoke oi