Evening star., 1901-08-24

Altogether his path was one of roses, and
| he went on his way rejoicing.
1t was at a ball that he met the woman
| In the case Two Of the precious four
| festivities were at their height. Mr.
Smith had flung himself into the new
| life with, all the pent-up energy Of his
| strong nature. 1t was his first taste of
| TINS KIND of social pleasures, and there
| must have been hidden strain of refine
| ment in his unknown parentage, for he
/ easily adapted himself to his new sur
roundlngs. And it was no wonder that
under the smile of Fortune he forgot
| ne was wanted by the police Of almost
| every large city in the country, and walk
cd through the BAH room with head held
proudly erect. ~ s-.s-31 - Z2'-a
1t was thus that she first saw him.
| Who is that?" she inquired of a friend
| mere? oh, that is Mr.. Smith of the
| Grange" ''- - 'Ae
.t "Qd the Grange! Up here on the hill?'
| res. haven't you met him yetT'
| No. she answered. looking curiouslv at
him, Il have not" 9'' a.
| She was introduced to him as Miss Lor-
| mer. o-
| She just back from Paris a few waeks
| ago, too said the friend who did the in
| iroducins How strange you did not meet
her over there, Mr.. Smith,
! We'll, ahi Paris Is rather a largo town
you know" said Mr.. Smith
| We're you there long?" inquired Miss
| Lormer. looking up with earnest ewes. She
/ was sweet, pretty little creature. with n
aelicate oval face. filled with childish inno-
! cence and purity.
Mr; Smith felt uncomfortable. Fortu-
| nateiy, though his conscience didn't
trouble MIN much. Kate. the warbler.
| used to say he didn't have any conscienoa
! but then. of course that was absurd
| 1t all depends upon what you call long. -
| ne said, evasively replying to Miss Lor-
/ merS quest ion.
| He asked her to dance. and was charmed
/ with her conversation and manner Tbav
| danced together several times, as was M
| ticed and remarked upon by the eagIe-cyed
nlatsons. MISS Lormer's dancing was be-
yond criticism, and she had an artless way
| or accompanying her statements with an
appealing, upward glance that made Mr..
smiths brain whiri. He Iured her into the
| conservatory but when he had found a
divan small enough for two she became
| deeply interested in the mysterious ar
| rangement OF a tea rose she held In her
hand. MT. Smith adored her shy timidity.
| and ambitiously planned to get possessIon
/ OF the rose: but he was trained to natiennn
1t Is strange have not met you before. .
| he murmured. laying his arm on the back
| OF the seat. and looking at the brown cnrIs
II just came from New York laat night
| Have you been here long7'
| The earnest eyes were uplifted. and Mr..
| Smith was glad he could tell the truth.
| No, only two weeks"
| HOW dull 1t must seem to you after
| paris. especially as you have no relatives
mere, nor any one you know very we'll"
| ingly 01' ''ean-
The gray eyes drooped. and the petals Of
the rose were cruelty mutilated There was
| silence for while.
1 are you going to make your home pcr-
| manently at the Granger, asked Misc Tor
mer breaking the speaking stiffness.
| Wen. | can hardly tell yet" said M-
oinItn. ~ all depends on circumstances.
Yes, But at present haven.t tho
| slightest Intention of leaving.
| not?'' oio Sou
Yes 1t has never been my custom To
| herald my movements from the housetops. !"
| We'll" said Miss Lormer rising and
| brushing the flower to the ground, 81 hone
you weren't disappointed in your expecta-
Il did not imagine that ANYTHING cou,d
nave SO far exceeded them.' replied Mr..
Smith. picking up the rose and pressing It
to his lips
| They were constantly meeting after this.
| and although Mr. Smith was not In love- he
! was headed In the right direction. The
| third week seemed hardly begun ere II
was finished, and he was gazing with dis
| may upon the unavoidable ending to his
| adventure Another telegram announcing
| the exact date Of the real Mr.. Smiths re-
turn threw him into a momentary whirl-
/ wind of passion and defiance.
II will not give 1t upi I will not!'' he
| cried
| But things finally readjusted themselves
| to their normal condition and Mr. Smith
| was but thin mask covering Dick Emley,
| smaftest burglar. coolest man OF Chicago.
L have had my taste of high life, and
Ii has been perfect" he soliloquized "and
the only thing to do now Is to gain some
| lasting benefit from 1t: a sort OF interest ON
my money. as 1t were"
Circletowu was an old little town. and
within it's narrow limits treasured many