The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-10-07
A Debt DISCHARGED.

by EDITH BASS.


to our set. Forgive me, old man, I've
no doubt she's all she should be, and
[ offer the lady and you my hearticst
congratulations"
The two men shook hands Affection
ately and there was moments ST.
lence. Cyril's thoughts were in the
future, that golden future which he
was to spend with Vera by bis side.
Londesborough's lips were curved in a
grim smile. and he gazed straight In
front Of him. He did not see the busy
tide Of life flowing down fremont
street nor the trees in Boston Com
mon, with their yellow autumn leaves.
He was back in the past. He saw HIM
self young, and eager and hopeful like
Cyril. working night and day to make
a home for the woman he loved. She,
too, had had violet eyes and dimples,
but not red hair. Hers was of the
palest gold, making a veritable halo for
her perfect face. How he had gloried
in her beauty! How he had slaved so
that when they were married he would
be able to give her the luxuries she
loved. Then he remembered the night
her letter came, the few words which
had changed his whole life, his whole
nature.
Hugh, love you, but love wealth
and luxury still more. could not
bear to be poor mans wife, and your
own exertions would never make you
rich enough to content me. Herbert
Mason has been bothering me for
weeks to marry him. ever since he be-
came the sole heir of his wealthy faith
er. At last l have yielded, and when
you get this l shall be his wife. shall
not ask you to forgive me. only hope
you may forget"
He had neither forgiven nor forgot
ten, but since that day he had taken
no woman's hand in his in aught but
the merest conventional politeness. A
half-unconscious prayer arose to his
lips that Cyril's Vera might be as un-
like as possible to Ethel Fortescue-the
woman whose falseness had wrecked
his life.
Cyrils voice aroused him from his
reverie.
You'll be my best man, won't you,
Hugh?"
"By all means, dear boy. Is the hap
py event to be soon?"
"In about two months, hope. We
have nothing to wait for, and mean
to start house hunting at once"
"And when does Mrs. Monk-Mason
return to town."
mot for three weeks" replied Cy-
ril, with heavy sigh. "She is stay
ing with some friends in Keene, New
Hampshire She is sending me her
photograph tomorrow. 0nall bring it
around for your inspection.
"Yes, do. Come and dine with me on
Friday"
Right you are" and with another
hearty handshake, the two men parted.
Dinner had been comfortably discus
sed, and Londesborough and Carstairs
were sitting before a glowing fire in
peaceful content with themselves and
the world in general. Hugh was lis
tening sympathetically, while Cyril rat
tied on about his approaching mar
rage, of the flats he had seen, the
"bijou residences" he had inspected. At
length he drew a case from his pock-
ct, and handed . photograph to his
friend.
There she is." he said, proudly;
that is my Vera"
He waited confidently for hearty
expression Of admiration, but he heard
instead a gasp of surprise, and look
ing at Londesborough saw that he was
gazing with white face and staring,
Mortified eyes at the beautiful pictured
face.
Hugh, old man. what is it? Are
you ill?"
Londesborough passed his hand
across his eyes.
I'LL? No, | must be mad or dream
ing. Cyril, explain! This is not Vera
Monk-Mason-it is Ethel Fortescue!"
WAS Ethel Fortescue, you mean,"
replied Cyril. calmly. "She is called
Ethel, but | prefer Vera, her second
name. And she was Miss Fortescue
before she married Herbert Mason, she
told me so. The Monk was added
when he came into some property. Did
you know her? You look as il you had
seen ghost"
Good heavens!" burst from Londes-
boroughs white lips. Then she is the
same woman, the same false, mercen-
airy little fiend who"
stop, Londesborougn," interposed
Carstairs, in commanding voice RE-
member you are speaking of my prom
ised wife. You may have known Vera
years ago. but whatever happened in
the past does not give you the right
to insult her in my presence now."
"You don't understand, Cyril" said
Londesborough, in a hollow tone. Il
must tell you. Thank God! 1t is not
too late. You have never heard the
story of my life, but you shall now.
When I was just about your age IL was
wrecked cruelty and heartlessly by
that woman"
Cyril grew very white. bat his lips
tightened into Q determined line.