The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-02-04
r1RS. FORRESTER'S
FIRST HUSBAND.
By T.. RALPH.

My name is Spencer Lockwood, my
profession the law.
Last summer, | spent my vacation,
an usual, in charmingly old fashioned
inn near Milford, Penn.
| congratulated myself upon having
left pleas" plants and all such
things legal far behind, for time at
any rate, absolutely unsuspicious that
l was on the eve of becoming lead
ing actor in q stranger criminal drama
than ever had played in at the Court
of general sessions.
"By Jove!" l said to myself as l sat
at the open window after dinner on
the evening of my arrival, and
watched young lady, accompanied by
an elder one, passing up the road,
"that's the sweetest looking girl l
have seen for many a day! Wonder
who she is? I'll ask Jackson, perhaps
he knows; or, rather, he's sure to
know"
Jackson, the proprietor, knew me
well, and would have no hesitation in
enlightening me as to the identity of
the fair stranger.
Them two," said Jackson, "is Mrs.
Russell and her daughter. Mrs. Rus
sell is the widow Of a captain in the
navy, and should say, Is pretty well
off. They live in that old red shingled
house half a mile up the hill road.
THE old lady's bit softheadei, so
they say, hasn't a soul above teatable
gossip, and is about the worst kind of
mother young girl could possibly
have, according to my opinion"
All this whetted my curiosity to
know more of the young lady, de-
sire which the next day was gratified
through the good offices of a friend,
who introduced me to Miss Russell.
She was young; in fact, barely Fl.
She was good looking, too, but wore,
thought, depressed and anxious ex-
preston. Naturally, l concluded that
she was in i'll health, victim, per-
haps, to the gayeties of the New York
season. Later on limited as much to
Mrs. Russell who, as it seemed to me
with somewhat heartless indifference,
deprecated the idea in no measured
terms.
Meta Russell and l became very
good friends, but came no nearer to
getting at the reason of her trouble.
Her strangeness of manner haunted
me, and yet, after all, l thought, why
should l worry about 1t. 1t did not
concern me.
But was not able to satisfy myself
so easily. l was obliged to confess
that my interest in Meta Russell was
stronger tnan had imagined. I was
not in love with her; the idea was
absurd, having regard to the shortness
of the acquaintance. though she Pc
culiarly interested me, and earnestly
wished to be of service to her.
An exploring pedestrian of the ar
dent order, / was making my way,
toward the end Of the week, through
what was locally known as the big
clearing"
This was at least a square mile IL
not more Of dense new growth, now
about 10 feet high, through which ran
q narrow strip Of path.
was about half way through this
leafy tangle, when heard voices with
in a stones throw of me.
One Of them was evidently a wom-
ans, and, for the life of me, could
not shake off the impression that l
knew its owner. The other was that
of an uneducated, If not vulgar, man.
very well, Mrs. Forester" the lat
ter was saying; "Ive given you Jack s
message and you'll only have your
self to blame IL you don't do as he
says. Which, shall tell him, is it to
be; you to go back to him, or-what
think'll suit him just as well, or
perhaps, better-that you send him
by me. $4,000 before the end OF next
week."
Neither" replied the woman in
raised, decisive tones. "and you may
tell him SOL"
You'd best listen to reason" per
suasively replied the other. "Jach
Forester is a dangerous customer tC
cross. and / know as he'll never lei
you alone. or leave you, If you dom
DO one or the other Of them two
things"
well, you have my last word!
will do neither, and any attempt Il
molest me in any way will only brin,
trouble to you and TO him."
Have you any money about yo'
now?"
"No; and II had would not Civ,
It to you'll"
"Supposing ! were to take 1t. Thi
Is pretty lonely spot; nobody coul,
hear you, fancy" ~
2 qs' 1t was Meta Russell without 9 doubt
n and, unless ! was mistaken, In sor
+. strait from some blackmailing ruffiar
That he addressed her as Mrs. Forres
ter did not for the moment appes
TO me.
Forcing my way in break-nec
fashion through the intervenin
bushes IN thu Airaciss Of the voice.