The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-27

WnN, rutner INJURY hoi my
SELF" said 1. Nothing, in truth, was
further from my thoughts.
Amandas mother regarded me Gu
riously. "Of course" said she, 'if
that we're the case, it would make
difference"
"But l don't really mean it," 1
cried, hastily. Why, the idea was
absurd just when 1 was in the mid
die of the book on the Cerebral Con-
yolutions," too.
"Then, said her mother, closing her
hard, thin mouth with snap, "Aman-
da will marry Mr.. Plutus. There is
no one but you who has any right to
voice in the matter"
''There is Amanda" suggested.
"Amandal She is far too young to
decide. / am the Judge for her.
Amanda shall do as bid her and
marry Mr.. Plutus."
''I shall do my best to stop her"
"She shall not see you" l knew
she would try to be as good as her
word, and my heart went out in
great pity for poor little Amanda, who
was so like her father and had been a
pet of mine ever since she was child.
'sIf weren't too old" said, half
to myself.
Nonsense. Why, you're no older
than l." She is 43.
"Too much buried in my books and
in bachelors recreations--"
Marriage would soon alter that"
'T could never make that child
happy" I sighed.
''Nonsensel She's devoted to you. I"
''Not in-in that way" believe
/ blushed.
"You'd soon make her."
"Do you really mean eit?" I
couldn't let old Toms daughter be
married to that Plutus. 1t would de-
lay matters, anyhow, if she became en-
gagged to me. Meanwhile, l might
find some one else for her.
''Why not?" she asked, coolly.
''Very we'll; will speak to Amanda
about it," said, slowly. "But there
must be no drawing back on your
part"
had sudden inspiration-being
man of quick thought. 81 should
like to have your consent in writing.
To be candid, do not trust you"
''very we'll" She sat down to her
escritoire. "What shall I write?"
81 consent to the marriage Of my
daughter to Mr.. Frank Austen" 1
dictated. She wrote it accordingly
and signed it with flourish.
My name is the same as my neph-
ew's. I'll have him up to town, and
il he doesn't fall in love with Amanda
he's fool. That was my idea.
swell, now I'll talk to Amanda, "
said, feeling rather uncomfortable.
And did.
Amanda is 1S and stands 5 feet 2.
Amanda has golden brown hair that will
get loose and tumble about her cheeks
and forehead. Amanda has big, dark
eyes and long eyelashes and cherry
ripe lips and the dearest little dimples
in the world. Amanda has soft, white
hands-she generally gives me both
and tiny feet whose rush could rec
ognize blindfold. She came in quiet
ly today, and there were dark marks
under her eyes.
ooh, Cousin Frankw she cried
cousin is my brevet rank-"you won't
let her make me-marry that horrible
mani"
NO." said I. "Mandy, my dear,
won't" Then I kissed her. If only
I were sure that she wouldn't disar.
range my study!
"You kind old Frankp She tool
hold of my arm and squeezed it.
''But your mother insists upon your
getting engaged to some one, my
dear," / said, ruefully; somebody
who is fairly we'll Off Are you il
love with anybody, Mandy? Tell me-
there's good little girl"
She opened her eyes wide ant
looked at me honestly. ''Oh, no
Cousin Frank! Only-only-I thinl
perhaps 1 should like to be- some
day"
Truly?"
''Truly. No one at ALL"
swell, look here, Mandy" said
sheepishly; 'your mother insists tina
you shall be engaged to some one, ant
/ can only find one person.
'sNot Mr.. Plutus! I WON'T" sh,
cried vehemently.
"No, mol Not any one who will an
noy you. dear, or whom You dislike.
"Whoever-" She looked up a
ne quickly and half let go my arm.
''Just till you find some one 20,
Hke." apologized, turning as red a
apoppy.
She held on to my arm again an,
looked down on the ground. Thel
lshe laughed. "How very funny"
s'Would You mind, Mandy?"
Moo" she laughed again. F"
think 1t would be rather-fun. Yo1
wouid have to take me out q lot
wouldn't your To pretend prop
'sXs--es. Oh, yes, OF course.
Whatever would become Of the ''Cere
bral Oonvolutions?"
sBut wouldn't it be rather bottle
- vou2''