The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-05-13
PHILIP DIXON'S GAME LEG.


tell you that | am very deeply az
tached to you, and to ask you to
marry me. | ought to say that have
lately had heavy losses and my income
is now reduced to about $500 a year.
But If you return my affection, as l
earnestly hope you do, | believe that
we can be happy even upon $500 a
year. | await your reply in great sus-
pense. Yours most sincerely,
PHILIP DIXON"
Next afternoon, at about O'Clock,
Libstock looked in on Philip Dixon to
see whether Miss Winnings refusal was
yet to hand. Dixon's housekeeper.
who opened the door to him, met him
with voluble tale of woe
''lf you please sir, Mr.. Dixon had
nasty haccident halter luncheon to-
day, Sir: he fell down stairs sir, and
damaged himself rather serious. He's
now confined to his bed, sir, but he'll
see you, he told me, though he's In
too much pain to see no one helse. And
| do 'ope as you'll indooce him to see
q doctor, sir; which I've been wanting
to send for one hall this hafternoon.
But he won't let me. He's very obsti-
nate at times, is Mr.. Philip. Will you
step this way, sir?'
Libstock stepped that way, which
was up to DiXon's bedroom. He found
his friend in bed, looking very much
shaken.
lawfully sorry to hear of your acci-
dent, old man." he said. 81 hope it's
| nothing serious"
"No-o-o! | say, is the door shut?"
| demanded Dixon, in hoarse whisper.
Libstock replied in the affirmative.
Il must tell you the truth" said
Dixon, who was evidently in a state
of extreme agitation. Pm not hurt a
bit. My accident was all sham. But
that's quite a minor matter Libstock,
| an awful-a terrible thing has hap
pened. Miss Vining has accepted me-"
Accepted you?" cried Libstocls,
turning as pale as death.
"Yes, she has accepted me, in spite
of my reduced fortunes. It appears
that she has been in love with me
for long while. l wish to heaven |
had known it before was fool enough
to write to her, But there's her let
ter. Read it for yourself"
| He tossed 1t over to Libstock, who
took it up in his trembling fingers,
and read this;
MY Dear Mr.. Dixon-Your letter
has made me very happy. have cared
for you-you can't think how long and
how truly. Please come and see me
at once. Your loving MABEL"
''It's an awful position-isn't it?"
calculated Dixon, wiping the perspira-
tion from his forehead. you can't
think what my feelings were when
that letter came. OF course, 1t was
out of the question that / could go and
see her. So l made a show of falling
down stairs and laming myself in Or
der that | might be confined to my
bed and thus debarred from all pos
sible chance of an interview, while
am turning over in my mind what is
to be done to escape from this terrible
situation"
Just then came a loud ring at the
front door bell.
That's she. know it's she," Dix
on almost shrieked, so great was his
agitation. Don't let her come up
here. won't see her. L"
| Libstock went to the door. There
stood Mrs. Blake, bearing a note upon
salver.
TITS from her." he said, "How we'll
know her dear writing. Another
love letter! Oh, Dixon!" with a deep
drawn groan) "if only you had the
sense to know your own luclk!"
my Dearest One--I am SO grieved to
hear of your accident. Mamma says
shall she come and nurse you? Your
devoted MABEL"
"Iuck? Do you call this luck?"
calculated Dixon, almost beside him
self. with agitation. Here, give me
paper and pencil, quick, and that copy
of the Field to write upon. Come and
nurse me, indeed! l must put stop
per on that at once. Let me see.
What lie can tell? All, / have it."
And he hastily scribbled these
words:
''It is too sweet of your dear moth
er. But l already have two trained
nurses And the doctor says he won't
answer for my life If am allowed to
see any one. Your affectionate
PHILIP"
This mendacious epistle, after being
duly sealed up in an envelope. was
handed to Mrs. Blake for delivery to
the young pusson." who was waiting
for his hanswer."
Shqtly afterwards Libstock. in the
depths OF gloom and despair, took his