The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-07-29


tated him beyond measure to be COM
PEELED to play part and to allow his
best friend to go in ignorance of the
genuine condition of affairs.
Dick continued to talk in happy
tones, speaking with all the joyousness
of n lover regarding the woman he
loved. When at length the clock
pointed to six he rose to take his
leave.
"Good-by, old chap" he said heartily.
II suppose my wearing this jacket of
yours wont Inconvenience your"
mot at all. It's simply an old
lounge coat that I ought to have
thrown away long ago."
The young men parted at the door
of Castleton's lodgings, and Dick slow
ly tramped away In the direction Of
the comfortable apartments which he
occupied at the Red Lion" Arrived
at the inn, he went straight to his
room and, sitting down In a deep chair,
put his hand to his pocket mechanical
ly In order to extract his cigar case.
In the excitement of his present mood
he had completely forgotten that he
was wearing another mans coat, and
10! instead Of the cigar case his fingers
closed upon letter. He drew 1t forth,
and before he could realize that the
communication was not one of his own
his amazed eyes had fallen upon a
handwriting which he knew and loved
the handwriting of Muriel Carslake.
Merciful heavens! II began with the
words: my poor. dear Jack"
Dick Armstrong was an honorable
man, but for the life Of him he could
not refrain from reading every word
which the letter, found by accident in
his friends coat, contained. When he
had finished the perusal he read II
again, and then again, the truth slowly
sinking into his agonized heart as the
words penetrated his brain.
Presently herose and paced the room
trying to think out the situation. SO
Muriel did not care for him after all;
her heart belonged to another, and she
had promised to marry him merely be-
cause she dreaded a life of poverty.
Her love was centereG on his banking
account-not on himself. 1t was a Bit
ter awakening indeed, and he groaned
in the tortures of the terrible dis
.illusionment
He felt no resentment--no shadow of
northumberland the girl. After all
she had never sought him out; she had
accepted his addresses with respect
ra xx,tt 90 n
she had on no single OCCASION made
protestations of anything more than
gentle affection. .-.-
He read Muriel's letter once again,
and this time his eyes lighted ON the
paragraph that ran thus:
"Ah, why didn't your uncle buy you
that partnership In the bank which we
used to fancy he would do? III had
done that, how different everything
would have been!"
Dick knew quite well to what part
nership the girl thus referred. For a
long time Mr.. Felix Densmore, the pre-
siding director of the local bank, had
been anxious to secure a young and
energetic partner who would bring into
the business capital Of $25, 900, but,
SO far, no candidate had offered him
self for the enviable position.
"Pll do IT," he murmured; IIl do
It.: yes, I'll do It. :"
On the following morning Dick Arm
strong went to London and drove to
the Office Of his solicitor in Clifford's
Place. After short delay he was
ushered into Mr.. Jennifer's once the
latter rising to greet him as he entered.
Il am leaving England almost direct
ly," said Dick, quietly; "and before
60 want you to effect q certain I'M
dertaking for me. want you to
negotiate the purchase of the Junior
partnership in Densmore's Bank at
Bayfield,. and to confer it upon
friend OF mine. But understand this.
He is not to know that-that-"
THAT you are his benefactor, eh?"
interpolated the lawyer, with a saga
cious smile.
Put 1t that way II you will"
Il understand perfectly. Now be
cN~N ~Noeeh W 6iNO ihC Auii uCNhilo tt-
garding this transaction. and it shall
be carried out forthwith"
Dick obeyed, and half an hour later
the affair had been settled.
Two nights later Muriel Carslake re-
ceiyed letter in Dicks handwriting
that ran thus:
My Own Dear Swee .ieart-I am
quitting England for a long time, and
do not know when l shall return.
have learned your secret, and know
that your heart belongs to another. I
therefore give you back your freedom,
and hope that you may be very happy
with him you love- Do not think that
l blame you for one instant. II love
you too much to feel any bitterness
against you, ana although at FIRST the
blow was heavy one. I hope that time
may do much to soften my pain and
bring forgetfulnesA There are better
things in this world. Muriel. than get-
ting ones own way and II 4 hava