The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-02-14

did not love hint he was hardly q i
man whom any woman could respect.
Anyhow she did not respect him, and
yet she would marry him. They were
uncongenial spirits, she knew, but
what of that?
In such a mood she was going one
night to great ball given by one Of
the most fashionable women in Lon
dom Lord Arthur would be there,
and probably she would say Eyes" to
his pleadings that night. She rather
thought she would as she stood be-
fore mirror when her maid had given
the finishing touches to her toilet.
She had on new white dress, and
pearls were ON her neck and amid
her dusky hair; she was radiantly
beautiful.
''Six years agoi' she muttered.
'Six years and more since tie day
Ralph Crosby said--"
She turned away. Now and again
feeling came over her that she could
not underestimate feeling that her
wealth and her beauty were not to
bring her happiness; and she had
grown impatient with herself for feel
ing so. Generally at such times she
was even gayer than usual, and when,
some hours later, Lord Arthur sat by
| her side in convenient recess i'll
Lady Javenell's conservatory, he felt
that he could almost die for her.
| There was something in her beauty
| that night "A sadness in the dark eyes
behind their mirth-that he could not
understand.
"Elizabeth," he whispered, ''say
Yesl and just then the sound OF
voices reached them.
"And Crosby, the artist, you know.
is blind"
'Blindr'
"Quite. He consulted Reynolds
yesterday, his case is hopeless.
''poor beggarl What will he do?"
81 don't know. He hasn't penny.
He has never steadied himself to work
for years. Somebody told me of n
girl who Tilted him, or something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, hope you will
never speak to me like this again.
Lord Arthur bowed. He knew that
further pleading would be useless.
Very early on the following morn
ing Miss Everill's carriage stopped at
Ralph Crosbys chambers, and Eliz-
beth was informed that he was nj
home. She gave no name, but entered
the room where he was.
"Ralph!"
at was voice that he had not
heard for six long years, but he re.
cognize1 it at once, aud turned his
sightless eyes toward her.
"Elizabethr' he cried rapturously,
opening his arms, and in an instant
she was folded in them.
'But you must not, Elizabeth" he
said later, ''you must not sacrifice all
for me-"
at is no sacrifice" she replied
composedly; ''but L am dreadfully
afraid that / had to ask you to marry
me! l wonder what Mr.. Northbrooke
will say when lie hears Of this?" and
she laughed
'What fools women arel" was what
the old lawyer said on being apprised
of it, and he drew large envelope
! aiNhA Nthohb ~ Va DupCio
were in a large box before him.
1t was addressed, in Miss Thorne'i
very masculine caligraph, to himself
and written in one corner were tn.
words;
"To be opened in the event of m,
niece's marriage.
Inside was n will, properly signet
and witnessed. and the old lawyer
face cleared as he glanced at it. Their,
was also an open letter addressed t.
Miss Everill.
''If you have sold yourself, m.
niece, take the price of your slavery
If you have been honest enough t,
, marry for love, take your reward. II
either case Glenthorne is yours"
Heaven bless mel' the lawyer OK
claimed, "Heaven bless mel There
no understanding womanl I'm
heartily glad, anyhow; and now
, must go and tell these two that the
!, won't be beggars after all"