The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-09-30

Madam" said Gideon, as he ap-
preached the cottage and made his
most polite bow. Il crave your as
sistance, or, rather, your advice. about
catching those hens in the tree yon-
der"
The lady thought he would have to
wait till night, when they were gone
to roost, and when Gideon demurred
on account of the lonely way he had to
go, she told him he would be welcome
to stay over night.
Gideon looked more perplexed than
ever. What was there in the lady's
voice and eyes that puzzled him so?
And the child. How its dimpled
cheeks and rosy mouth sent his
thoughts far back in the past. He led
his horse, which all this while had
been standing like tin peddlers in
the middle of the road, to the stable,
then came back to watch his dorkings
till night should restore them to his
keeping
The child's mother was busy in an
other part of the house, and the little
fellow was soon on familiar terms
with Gideon. who, strangely enough,
felt his bachelor heart warm toward
him. The little fellow impaired to his
new friend all his little stock Of knowl-
edge-told him of the brother and sis
ter who were at school, and of the
father who was at rest in the far
away churchyard.
Gideon retired early to his room,
meaning to start for home by the
break Of day. He pulled OF his coat
and boots, and then took from his
wallet a bank note, which was to be
left as a compensation to his hostess
for her hospitality, as we'll as the in
jury he had done in her garden.
But where had he best deposit the
money? Several books we're lying on
a shelf. He took one down, intending
to place the bill therein in the form
OF a boekmark, and leave 1t on the
table. Something written on the fly
leaf caused him to start, and flush,
and pale alternately.
He shut the book, fancying himself
the victim of an illusion. But again
he opened 1t, and again read his own
name and that Of Linda Pratt traced
in his own handwriting. How we'll he
remembered giving such book to his
betrothed. This must be the very
fine; but how did 1t come into the
widows possession? Gideon resolved
to know, so, again investing himself
in coat and boots, he went down into
the kitchen where the little widow
was still. at work.
Does the reader wish to follow him
thither, or will 1t suffice to say that
when he again sought his room 1t was
past midnight, and that he was once
more engaged to the sweetheart of his
youth, the pretty widow, Linda Pratt
Holmes?
Gideon did not think of his hens or
any of his many pets again that night,
though he lay awake till the sun be-
gan to streak the east with lines of
light Mortal never had a lighter
heart than Gideon carried to his home
next day. The old housekeeper won.
dered much when the mice and guinea
pigs, the woodchucks and crows dis
appeared, and her wonder increased
when Gideon brought his wife and her
children home. To use her own words,
"she was thunderstruck, but proper
glad ont to think her boy was took
with a sensible streak once in his
life."
Then the brother, with his family,
came down to offer congratulations,
and the old house was made merry by
the ring Of childish voices, and in time
there came another, with eyes and
hair the counterpart of Gideon's, whose
happiness the little strangers event
rendered complete.-New York Week.
ly.