The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-12-09

visitor to the home of the Lcighs.
The bright image of the city girl had
stolen into his heart and refused to
depart. Beth was not Indifferent 10
the man whose deep voice and clear
gray eyes unconsciously revealed to
her every day how dear she was to
him.
A few wee ks after the day nj the
turpcntino fnrm, their engagement
was an open secret. Only one thing
clouded Beth's joy. Her lovers elder
brother, Ralph, did not approve his
choice. The brothers were quite do
voted to each other, and the younger
relied greatly upon the other for adj
vice in all matters The difference in
their nges had strengthened this re-
lance. When Herbert joyfully told
his brother of his engagement and
waited for the expected congratula-
tion, he was disappointed that instead
came only words of disapproval.
"Sne is n gay city girl, Herbert,
and not the kind for you," he said, as
he turned away.
"You forget, R,lph," the other re-
torted, "that was reared in city,
and do not always expect to spend my
life among tar, pitch and turpen-
tine"
81 know all that" Ralph replied;
"but there are years yet of this lifo
for you. A fashionable city girl will
never be satisfied even with year of
it. Several years may develop her
now sunshiny disposition into one that
will not keep yours sweet. Mark we'll
what l say, my boy. and pause before
it is too late"
Nothing could induce Ralph even to
call upon his prospective sister-in-
law. or course this state of affirs
caused happy-hearted Beth much sor-
row, which was shared by her lover.
She was always gracious in her man
ners when she happened to meet tho
elder Mr.. Landell. He never unbent
from rigid politeness. All this only
made her the more resolved to win his
friendship before she should leave for
her home. Intent on this, aud with
all the enjoyment which love gives,
tho days slipped by until she had been
away from home for two months.
Beth was accustomed often to drive
alone. Mrs. Leigh could not always
accompany her, and thus it came
about that her otherwise unoccupied
time was spent behind old Charley,
the gentle family horse.
One Sunday afternoon Mrs. Leigh
asked her to be the bearer of some
delicacy to sick friend who lived n
mile or no beyond the Lindell farm.
The distance was too great for walk
ing, 80 the horse and buggy were
brought out for her use. The glorious
wealth of sunshine appealed strongly
to her as she was driven lazily in the
midst of all the glistening beauty.
Her route lay past her lovers home;
and as she neared it she recolected
that he had told her both Ralph aad
himself intended going that day to tho
nearest village. She was rather glad,
for she preferred oncountering him
anywhere else than here.
Beth's visit to the sick woman con-
sumed about one hour of her time;
then sho turned the horses head
homeward. How delightful was tho
spicy aroma which the breeze swept
to her from the stately pinesl Obivi-
GUS OF time and distance, 30 intense
was her enjoyment OF her quiet sur
roundlngs, she was suddenly aroused
from her reveries by the familiar land
marks which told her she was again
approaching the Landell farm. She
stopped the horse for a moment bet
ter to enjoy the peaceful picture. A
hush lay over the whole place. In the
distance she could just see the work.
mems cabins where, no doubt, their
Inhabitants were at this time indulg-
ing in their usual Sunday afternoon
slumbers, the reward of the weeks
hard labor. The silence was only
broken by the occasional yelpings of
the hounds.
But what was that fash OF light
Beth suddenly spied, as it leaped
among the thickly scattered pines?
She sprang from the buggy. quickly
tied Charley. and hastened to the
spot which had attracted her with its
brightness. She turned cold with
terror when she saw tall pine tree