The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-06-02

wallie to himself cheerfully; ''if that
ass Geoffrey were only here It might be
settled on the spot" Aloud he said
THAT being the case, don't see how
you could be more fortunately situated.
With you circumstances, expediency
and inclination all pull together 1t was
not so with young friend of mine
once who showed remarkable talent for
the stage. She had got so far as to make
her debut with every prospect of sue
cess, when she was unlucky enough to
fall in love with-and be fallen in love
with by-a young gentleman of good
family here, a lawyer. You will
hardly believe it, Miss Randolph
you are so differently constituted in
every way from her." continued Wallie,
gravely; but when she discovered that
he would feel pained if she remained on
the stage she actually gave up her whole
career! And they were married, and
che has never been heard of in public
way since And she seems very happy
tool But she could never have had the
same single hearted devotion to art that
you have
II can-understand her being happy.
though" said Miss Randolph, almost in
whisper. Then Wallie's heart smote
him that he had played upon her After
all, what did he know about what had
occurred between her and Geoffrey?
There may have been veritable TRACE
dy instead of an ordinary lovers misun-
derstanding As matter of fact he had
no suspicion of the tragi-comic mistake
which was the immediate cause of their
separation. He thought it probable that
she had revealed her true name to him,
and supposed that they had differed on
the public career" question, which he
had Just illustrated in his fable.
In order to give himself and her time
for reflection he took up the converse
ton Mt another point. In the event Of
your accepting another engagement,
he said, 81 suppose lingo would be the
fortunate mani"
Nothing has been decided about
that" she replied, falling with sense Of
relief into the business tone. II have
been told-that is, it seems that there
may be difficulty had not thought Of
legal trouble. This money that have
been receiving" she went on. after II
pause, "has been paid, of course, TO Mile.
Mariana. The agreement according to
which it is paid is signed by her-that
is, not by me. So it seems that legally
am only her epresentative-he dep
uty, as 1t were, and she can, if she
chooses, demand that | make over all
the money to her. But of course all the
money, or most of it. has been paid
away for-to my father, so you see there
would be trouble"
"Humph!' calculated Wallie. taking
a pinch of his mustache between his
thumb and forefnger. He meditated for
while, staring at the owl, which ST.
leptly returned his gaze. who is your
lawyer" he inquired at length
81 haven't any"
"Was it lingo who
"No-he-I don't know whether it had
occurred to him" The truth was that
Hamilton Jocelyn, in requital of the in
jury to his feelings, had written the
prima donna letter, in which he had
advanced the above suggestion: and he
had further announced that it was his
purpose Immediately to acquaint the
real Mariana with the position of affairs.
and to offer her his services in the event
Of a prosecution. It is doubtful whether
he really contemplated any action of the
kind, but it would not have softened the
unloveliness Of his present sensations
could he have known that Beatrix was
not in the least surprised or shocked at
the position he had taken. II seemed to
her quite in keeping with his character.
"She might give you some annoy.
ance." Wallie admitted, after further
consultation with the owl. but I'm 10y
no means sure she could obtain YER
dict. ! imagine she must have writ.
rem to lingo. definitely withdrawing
from the engagement, and hence his
substitution of you Was that the way
of it,
"Yes: and believe she paid the for
felt"
Then don't think you need worry.
There can at any rate be no doubt that
you have done the singing, and as sing
ing is paid nowadays, four thousand dol
lars II night is none too much for it,.
1T was three thousand the first month,
and thirty-three hundred afterward," ="
put in the prima donna
lingo certainly told me when he re-
turned from Europe last June that he
got Mariana for four thousand a night"
Wallie affirmed. But probably he took
advantage of your being debutante to
cut it down."
Mr.. Jocelyn-that is, think not;
was told that received the same that
she was to have had"
Hamilton Jocelyn? Is he mixed up
IN this AFFAIR."" inquired Wallie, with an
air Of dissatisfaction.
ITO BE Continued