The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-29
DICK ARMSTRONG'S SACRIFICE.

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love you, dearest, and have always
loved you. Say that you will make me
the. happiest man In the world"
Muriel Carslake's radiant eyes lit up
with suaden esthusiasm.
Eyes, Dick. will
my own darling girl" he cried.
II sens so strange, dear, that saint
like you should care for stupid, hum
drum fellow like me-
Muriel, who was by no means callous
at heart, began to feel various qualms
of remorse. 1t was very wrong to de-
ceive poor Dick, she reflected and to
allow him to fancy that she loved him,
when all the affection of her heart and
soul had long since been given to his
friend, Jack Castleton, but, after all,
what could she do? Jack was simply
o bundle clerk, earning a clerks wage,
whereas Dick Armstrong; income run
into five figures yearly, and every one
of those figures meant much to Muriel
Carslake. An orphan, brought UP in
the home of a relative, where poverty
reigned supreme, she had come to
loathe the mere thought of straitened
means with deadly aversion.
She tripped home and told her aunt
of the episode. and received that lady's
congratulations with much composure.
you are a dear, sensible girl,
Muriel." remarked Mrs. vinnicombe,
kissing her niece warmly, land you de-
serve to be happy. am glad you
have put all that nonsense about young
Castleton out Of your head"
Then Muriel went slowly to her room
and wrote the following letter:
My Poor Dear Jack-I have some
news for you, which hope you wont
take to heart more than you can help.
This afternoon your friend Mr.. Arm
stronS asked me to be his wife, and.
like the wicked. mercenary girl that
am, said yes, to him. You see,
Jack, he is very rich, and the mere
thought Of life Of poverty is 50 horrid
TO me that ] think It better to marry
without love than without money. I
know 1t is very hard on you. dear, but
you must try and forgive me, and for
get me as soon as you can. You and
I have had some sweet times together,
but. OF course, we must put all those
memories out of our heads now and
blbt out the golden hours for ever and
ever. 1t is hard, know, but life is
always hard, especially when love
comes into it. All, why didn't your
uncle buy you that partnership in the
bank which we used to fancy he would
do? II he had done that, how differ
ent everything would have been!
Then you and / could have married
months ago, and this sordtd business
would never have been entered into
by me. If only you knew how hate
myself for what l have done and for
the way In which have deceived poor
Dick, you would, think, pity me with
all your heart. AS 1t is, cannot ask
for your pity, but only for your. for
giveness. Good-by and God bless you.
Your faithless but still loving
MURIEL.
And when the letter had been placed
In its envelope. stamped and dis
patched, the writer of 1t flung herself
upon her couch and sobbed her very
soul from her eyes.
"Great Scot, Armstrong, you're wet
through. There, sit down by the fre,
man, and take off your coat. You
shall have one Of mine to wear for the
time being"
Thanks, Castleton. you're awfully
good. meant to drive over to your
lodgings, but couldn't find a convey
ance and so ! walked. Do you know,
hardly felt the rain at all, for was
burning to tell you some wonderful
news"
''Well, slip on this jacket and make
yourself comfortable, first of ALL"
Dick Armstrong obeyed good humor-
edly. and assumed the lounge coat
which his chum extended to him. Then,
seating himself by the fire, he stretched
his legs toward the blaze and said,
slowly.
"Old chap, l am engaged to be mar
ried."
Jack Castleton WINGED as the words
fell upon his ears. The news of the
engagement had already been conveyed
TO him by Muriel's letter, but naturally
he gave no sign of knowledge, but
merely bowed his head and said:
''Inded. You have my congratula-
tions."
THANK you very much, old chap
The lady who is to be my wife is some
coe whom l think you know-Miss
Carslake." v,r t'--T
''Yes. know her very we'll, indeed"
Then you know the sweetest and
best woman on earth. l don't deserve
her. Jack, don't indeed. Such q girl
~ Muriel might marry an earl duke,
. prince. and yet confer distinction
rather than receive 1t.
when we are married, Jack, you
must come and see US very often.
You'll come. won't you. old chap?"
T--I-yss. that ts, OF course I'll
coma"
His lips quivsred as he spoke. and.