The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-26


into his pocket Having been written
to her, It was sacredly hers. and to
have 1t about him gave him feeling Of
pleasure he acknowledged with
laugh, and for once did not try to ac-
count for in words.
After that he wrote her letter every
time he saw her, and, but that some
thing happened about the sixth time,
1t Is a matter to wonder at how far he
would have allowed his pockets to
bulge.
What occurred was Of the most COM
monplace description. In hunting for
something else, he dropped one of the
letters at her feet. She caught 1t up
with a little cry, "Why, It's addressed
to me" II he had not stopped her she
would have opened 1t there and then.
But he couldn't prevent her keeping
1t nor prevent himself seeing the laugh
In her eyes-a stray CLEAN that seemed
to cast a new light on the pathways to
heaven.
IF you like It," he said, there are
more;" and he took out the pack, turn
ing II over.
But, il they're mine, l would much
rather have them at once!" she cried.
"If they're mine. you have not right
to keep them"
To tempt her into pleading for them,
into more laughter, into quite a tor
rent of teasing and excited speech, he
held out as long as he could. In the end
she went off with her letters.
I'm convinced it's some rubbish"
she threw at him in parting; "and I
do want to see just how silly you are!"
will you tell me how silly you think
me?" he asked.
"If you're silly-enough," said she.
OF course, he expected an answer
expected it feverishly, filled with boy
ish impatience and unrest he had never
surpassed in his boyhood. When 1t
came, 1t was like her, he told himself;
and it was certainly put in few words,
IL that was really like her, and his
doubts on that subject were brand
new ones. will you come and see
me?" she wrote, naming an hour. OF
course he went-praying the while that
| nc silOulu uuu HeT alOue.
And she was alone; SO far, he quick
ly saw the realization Of his With. Yet
for the moment, as he advanced toward
her up the long room, he hardly knew
her-hardly recognized her unadorned
beauty, the child of the dowdy frocks,
in the perfectly dressed girl now wait
ing for him with laughter and bushes
chasing each other on her bewildering
face For the first time in his life he
found nothing to say, and so she was
forced to begin. She seemed not un-
willing.
Your letters are charming" she
said. She put up hand to the imita-
tion pearls. side by side with some
that looked priceless, among the laces
at her neck, and twisted them round
to show him they were unknotted. :.
"Your letters are charming" she re-
peated, with the least little break in
her voice. Then she frightened and
smiled. "And'wha do you think of my
frock?"
II think it is-charming," he said.
She came nearer to him.
"Will you answer me somethingr'
she asked.
"Yes-yes-anything!"
"Only this-which sort of frock do
you like me In best?"
This" he said, true to his creed.
This-I suppose. oh, my darling, we
are starting at the wrong end, but II
you keep the letters we shan't be able
to afford such frocks!"
II wouldn't give up the letters for
anything" she declared.
81 go with the letters" he said.
Again the laugh in her eyes. "And
I'd rather give up the letters than you"
she smiled.
'Then hang the frocks!" he cried.
and would have caught her to him, but
she warded him off.
stop, do stop"-then she blushed-
for a-Stop. won't you, please!
Then don't you know really? Don't you
truly know?"
"What?"
THAT I've more frocks and more
money to buy new ones than know
what to do with, and-and"-
do you mean to tell me?"-
LET me tell you. l mean, / had the
childish ideal see now how childish
it was--to try and pass myself off in
your society as a poor American girl
for change. And 1t was a failure
fright as ! looked-it was a failure
with just one exception. You are the
exception, and until now have never
felt quite, quite sure that even you
could be excepted" Into her eyes crept
their pathetic look.
MY dearest" he cried. "just for your
sweet self loved you! On my honor.
did not know. and loved you because
l coIld not help It" 10 f