The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-12-06

linquishing all thought Of possessing
Bessie, I could not allow that she was
one whit too good for me. And she
need not look to me for feeble-minded
"hopeless devotion" business. had
made my advance, been rebuifed by
the only ono whose rebnff | consid-
cred material -heiself-nnd now she
was nothing more than cipher in my
affairs. She might go her ways, marry
whom she might choose, or vt marry,
or die, or live. 1t was all the same
to me. She was now but cipher in
my affairs, whether visible or not.
Having thus stoutly made mp my
mind, the sudden appearance aud hail
ofthe identical subject of my thoughts
confused me again.
The public highway was in plaii
was my position that probably not
more than one passer in ten would
notice me.
There came by group Of bicyclers,
mostly girls All passed with their
gaze straight in front except the last,
who was obliged TO turn her eyes TO
me, by what am convinced was some
occult magnetism, and nearly fell in
consequence. As IL was, she had to
dismount to prevent a fall. When she
regained her equilibrium, she called
in half iesting way
"Are you trying to kill me?"
hadn't done thing. But this
was not exactly what confused me. II
was the discovery of an oversight in
my deep cogitations. In the absence
of the person, 1 had forgotten feminine
softness, sweetness and compliance
ns opposed to masculine strength and
sternness. / had waxed bitter against
her in her absence, when it would
have been impossible in her presence.
Bitterness could no more survive in
her presence than frost in q MONDAY
sun.
Bessie was blonde of full average
height, aud perhaps above average
weight. There was nothing sickly
about her. But she was a woman, and
not to be hated rs man against man.
did not reply because ] could not
get my thoughts in shape in time.
"How did you get here2" she asked.
ooh, came in canal boat" an
swered nonchalantly.
Her laugh was pleasant. like to
have person laugh at my little jokes,
even If only in politeness. can
easily detect, in the ring of the laugh
ter, what it il.
''George is anything wrongP'
She was serious enough now, and /
saw where had been n hot-headed
fool to think she had scorned me. /
couldn't speak n word.
What under the heavens is the use
OF logic, any way, when it always fails
q man when it comes to the test? Only
three minutes ago, it was: She might
go her ways and marry whom she
might choose, or not marry, or die or
live; it was all the same to me.
And what incensed lSe the more
now, was the fact that had been per-
fectly cool in mind, n deliberate fool.
Still, had it not been for these 15 miles,
| should have been worse fool, foi
the sight of her would not have brought
W my NtuStS. NOW u fuhugtu tnt
soliloquy into: She might go her ways
but would always heartily wish hel
well, whether | became any feature in
her existence or not.
won't you come aud sec us this
EVENING""
Yes" answered, at last getting
my voice.
"Then, au revoir." And she mount
ed aud sped after the other bicyclers.
oh, Know that am an ordinary
mortal, and nothing exceptionally
grand, friend reader; you need not
tell me thai. But there are lots of us
in the same boat, and what has helped
one will he of value to another. Their,
is no possible doubt that tho 30 mil,
walk was turning point in my career
and therefore earnestly recomment
it. ....
Oh, certainly; she's my wife now.
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