The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-10-29


civilization of modern cities fill me,
to years OF maturity. suppose | have
the soul OF recluse-a hermit. though
not, as you see. of n celibate. My wife
and children are the greatest joys OF
my present life but In order to gain
this haven of peace | was obliged to
cut myself adrlft from the world and
all my earlier associations.
II had made Finette's acquaintance
some time before you met mo In Italy
and was convinced that my only
chance of happiness lay In marrying
her. Unfortunately had a relative, an
uncle, who was n severe. uncomprOmis-
ing man. with a Calvinistlc turn and
n conviction that man would be eter-
naly lost If he did not apply him
self to business. hated him, but at
the same time acknowledged that he
had complete mastery over me when
ever | was In his presence. He even
contrivcd that should engage myself
to his daughter, woman ten years
older than myself. as hard and dry as
her father, and quite capable OF suing
me for breach of fromise of marriage
If | dared to terminate tho engage
ment. Under these circumstances I
took refuge In flight. But flight was
uscles. | received letters from time to
time showing that my whereabouts
was known, and finally | was told that
my uncle and his daughter had re-
solved to follow me to Italy, and insist
that the marriage should take place
Immediately. was forced upon desper-
ate courses, and you yourself know
what I did"
upon my word | DON'T" | inter
polated hastily. IL suppose you mean
you gave them the slip. But how did
you leave the train?"
my dear SIR" said Edmund Justi-
can, don't you remember the snail's
pace at which the train was crawling
mp the hill? simply opened the door
and stepped out. made my way from
the railway line to a place where | was
not known, concealed myself for some
days among the peasants, and adopted
as far as | could their dress and habits
Finally | made my way to Finett's ma
tive village and persuaded her to cast
in her lot with mine. You may have
observed that took my handbag with
me, which contained a very fair pro
portion of my fortune In portable
form. We married, bought this little
homestead and here we live with ouI
| .h rIa nj m m q
as happy as the day is long. Thanl
God. shall never see a city again!"
stared at the man, for such an ex
preston of feeling seemed to me ex
traodinarily bizarre. But could detect
no sign of insanity IN Edmund Justi
cans tone.
"And do you never regret YOU
iriends?" | said surely tho relatives
OF whom you speak must have suffered
some anxiety on your account"
81 took a very simple prccaution,
said Edmund Justican, smiling, will
the air of man who had trlumphet
over fate. II wrote to them beforehand
telling them of my intention to commi
suicide. That is probably why the
made no search for me, and concludes
that | had carried out my threat
They had no affection for me, bu
they envied me my money, and l ha,
no compunction for the deception
prscticej All that l ask is that yol
will not let them know"
II will most certainly not let ther
know" | answered. But | am gla
that have met you and solved a mys
terry. which often tormcnted me-"
Il am sorry for the trouble | ma
have given" said Edmund Justica
with glimmer of a smile In hi
dreamy eyes. But have achieve
my end. viii you not come back to m
cottage and let my wife offer you he
simple hospitality? She is quite
child of nature, and sweet and lo'
ing as an angle!"
81 should be charmed" l answere
with real regret. But l am afrai
my time is too short shall have /
run to the station If l mean to cate
"Au revoir, then. and not goodby
said my old acquaintance with smil
We shook hands and saw him tur
back with an eager face to the viii
and children whom it was evident h
SO tenderly loved. hoped that mig!
one day return and make their a
quaintance. But fate has not led me
southern France again, and that Is II
last | ever saw of Edmund Justica
the story of whose strange disappea
aace am now, after lapse Of twent
years, at liberty to give to the worl
| can only hope that he has never tire
of his paradise.-Kansas City Ind
pendent.
Cheap Watches In Japan.
. After a years absence, John Kel