The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-12-16

OF one evening, and that four years
ago-Sidney Mason. whom you met at
Mrs. Grey's with Philip starrT'
"No. indeed Mr. Mason have not
forgotten you" And right gladly she
extended hor hand to him again.
"When you put out your hand to me
Just now It recalled memory that was
always very pleasant to me; but
could rot make up my mind that 1t
was the same hand"
81 am vastly changed since then.
and no one would remember me who
had not seen me in SO long, particu-
larly stranger"
Sidney Mason bit his lip, but did not
tell her that he was not so much a
stranger TO her character that he had
not loved her after that one meeting
all these years.
II must be off now, Mr.. Mason" she
said after chatting with him further;
"but trust l shall see you again some
time. I am very grateful to you for
your kindness"
MAY go this very day to see you?"
he asked. looking into her face ear
nestly. "Or will you do as you did be-
fore, and hie away for another four
yearsw
"Oh, no; have nothing to HE away
after now; and, indeed, / have not
been gone four years. l have passed
this door almost every day for the past
two years"
"What doing"
"Working, Mr.. Mason--earning my
own living and that of Uncle Rays
lame daughter. Uncle died that same
winter that l met you. and Margaret,
his only child. was left alone in the
world. Her property was all invested
in the bank that failed near you here,
two years ago, and since then she has
let me care for her."
"And you are doing what?"
Editing Juvenile magazine, and
making a living"
Sidney Mason was always persistent
where his heart was enlisted. He
walked quite TO the door of his Office
with her. then back in kind of &C.
| static dream. She was found again
ct last-his ideal woman, whom he
had treasured in his heart as n beauti-
| full memory. Now she was alone in
the world, poor, and, best of all. heart
whole But did lie know that she was?
| No but he was sure. and that very
evening he would know.
81 met Philip Starr after I saw you
to-day. Miss NGadaline, and l told him
l had seen you" said Sidney Mason,
when he called that evening
Madaline laughed to think how near
she had been during these years to
Mr.. Starr, and yet had almost forgot
ten his very existence.
"What had he to say of her financial
condition, Mr.. Mason?"
"Do not be cruel to him now; he has
been terribly punished. He married
poor little Ella Rushton-you remem-
ber her, / am sure-and before they
returned from their bridal tour her
father was bankrupt. Starr had
worked so hard to marry an heiress
that the disappointment utterly craZed
him for while, but now he Is in bust
ness and working like man. His
wife is a hopeless invalid, and, fear,
an unhappy woman"
II owe Mr.. Starr the first hint that
I had of my own poverty" she said,
"and perhaps I ought to forgive him
the pain he caused uncle that night
for l. not knowing the true state OF
affairs. was only piqued that he con-
sidered my fortune trlfle, and myself
of no worth in consequence; whereas
in truth, he was right, and uncle was
trying to keep the fact from me. When
l went home that night / made him
tell me all. and then l went immedi
ately to Havana, where my parents
had invested largely, and where ]
thought / owned a great deal of prop
erty. In the end, with confiscations
law suits, and lost time, together will
the terrible depreciation of all kinds
of property, found myself indeed 0
beggar. Uncle died while was away
and now Maggie and l are all alone
in the world"
And may tell you that I, too, an
alone In the world, and dreadfully IL
need Of affection and companionship
Miss Ray. Madaline, will you be my
wifeT
"It is a solemn question" she said
softly. Il cannot answer 1t for a lonl
time yet, Mr.. Mason. Your sympathy
Is aroused, and your kind hear
prompts you TO try to brighten my
way. Is 1t not sop
II have loved you four years, child
Must l have no word of encourage
ment ever?"
He was agitated and suffering, ant
she tried to spare him pain and wal
until he was more composed befor,
trusting to further conversation OF
the subject.
what did Mr.. Hartly say when 70,
sent his bill receipted?" she asked
evasively.
THAT it was very unbuslnesslik
and strange, and he requested an ex
PLANTATION and the name of the persol
who had Cancelled his debt"
"What did you say to this?"
Nothing then. / waited, hoping
could tell him"
| He stopped short and looked dow
[ into her face, waiting for a sign or
, l-I