The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-01-28

seV hnO SVu "'ns ~ '.s RA~S~
promise me-"
II promise, I promise" he soothed
her. II won't say a word. you loyal
little soul. It's hard lines just now.
Cinderella, but remember how the
fairy tale ends, and this may end
sooner than you think"
"How2 What do you mean?" asked
the child. with wide. innocent eyes.
and Ashby hastily changed the sub.
ject, resolving to say nothing more
to disturb her heavenly innocence"
As soon us Sir George Courtenay
arrived, Ella turned her attention to
him. He. at least, could not bore her
about the defunct Dot. Ella really
wos clever girl. and she knew that
simple pathos becomes wearisome in
time, SO without abandoning her role
Of Cinderella, she kept It rather in the
background, and prattled SO happily
and even wlttlly that both men were
amused and fascinated by her. So
ekilfully did she play her part (de-
veloping histrlonic talent In way
that quite dazzled Miss Reade) that
by the end of week her success had
far outstripped her widest hopes.
Goth men had resolved to propose for
her. Ella had determined to accept
Courtenay. II she chose Ashby. he
must inevitably discover her decep-
tlon about Dot, but Courtenay had
never met her sisters and could not
hold her responsible for any discrep-
ha .IDN hot
description of them and reality.
IL may as well own 1t to you. little
one," he said, one afternoon, as they
strolled on the lawn. II was engaged
to your sister. 1t was rather hope
less affair, for was wretchedly poor,
so We kept It to ourselves. But a
secret engagement is an awfully trying
thing, and I was jealous fool. We
quarreled, and parted, and so-and So
I lost her."
Ella was silent.
When she was gone, Courtenay fell
into conversation with Miss Reade
and Ashby went indoors. Running
upstairs, he stumbled over bundle
which, on investigation, turned out to
be sobbing child of tender years.
whats wrong, little one?" he asked,
picking 1t up carefully.
ELLA slapped baby" sobbed the
child.
ELLA did? Where Is Ella, thenw
"Don't want Ella" walled the baby
SO heartbrokenly that Ashby felt quite
touched. He was trying to console 1t
when to his relief the nurse appeared
with flood Of apologies.
I'm so sorry. sir. but I had to 60
downstairs for something. and Master
BERTHE ran after me. We're all at
skies and sevens just now, sir. for the
young ladies being away makes such
a difference"
Baby burst into renewed sobs. wall.
ing, "Me no want nursle; me want Dot.
oh. me do SO want Dot"
"Ah. poor little mani I. too. do so
want Dot" sighed Ashby.
That evening the Major received a
letter from Laura, informing him that
her aunt was better and she and Dot
would return the following afternoon.
He kept this to himself, intending a
pleasant surprise. and had himself es-
tablished on the lawn next day at tea
time. Ella made such pretty pic.
ture of filial love as she hung about
her fathers chair that Courtenay made
up his mind to delay no longer, but to
ask her at once to submit to be trained
after marriage-into his ideal woman.
So he presently asked her to come for
a stroll around the lawn, and Ella.
reading his purpose in his face, rose
with alacrity. But, alas! in the very
act of raising the costly cup to her lips
1t was dashed to the ground. At this
very moment there appeared two Id
dies, Fastening from the house across
the lawn to join the party around the
tea table. Ella turned white. Her
father held out welcoming hands.
"The girlsw he exclaimed, joyously.
"Welcome home. dearsW
At this moment--whence. no one
could tell-three children dashed across
the lawn and up to the newcomers, ut
tering shouts Of welcome.
"Oh, sisters, we're SO glad you're
back" cried the eldest. "Ella's been
horrid. She's made us live in the
nursery and never come downstairs"
The two guests had been looking on
mystified. but as The ladies' came nearer
Ashby fairly gasped for breath. For
the lady round whose neck baby was
clinging was no other than his lost
Dot. As for Courtenay, he was
stricken speechless by Laura's calm
loveliness. Here-at least In appear.
ance-was his ideal woman.
Don't you know my daughter, Ash.
by?" asked the Major. "Dot.
mean"
ut can't be-" gasped Ashby, hoarse'
ly. ut isn't possible. Dot Is dead
Ella told me she died two years ago"
"Dot dead" repeated the Major. stu
pefled. "What-on-enrth do you
| mean"
"But-there must be-some awful
| mistake. Ella told me-" faltered Ash
by, and then Dot raised her eyes to
| his and said: "Ernestv and he had nc