The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-09-16

crenulous eyes, the boys sharp les
son In woman's heartlessness, that
changed him into manhood, and sent
him stung and smarting into the
world. Il shall not tell you; only,
If you had seen him as saw him
you could not have waited till he was
rich and famous and hero to ask fis
| forgiveness"
His forgivenessl My dear goosei
a woman don't ask a man to forgive
her because she won't be his wife,
But you let him think you cared
for him. You led him on and en-
co,lraged him-you know 1t, Adela,
oh, twas horribly cruel! You made
him suffer"
That kind Of suffering does boy
good. He ought TO thank me, IL 1t
made him a soldier and V. G. Any
how, he can ask the half of my king
dom now, and 1t won't be denied him."
c:s even while she spoke there
came shout of cheering. The one
gun Of the neighborhood exploded
with fussy Importance, the band at
the station struck up "See the Con-
quering Hero" mixed with the sounds
Of village hurrahs and the tramp Of
fast-trotting horses. Adela's still
beautiful face sparkled with pride and
qualification.
why, there he Isl" she said gayly.
Il must meet him at the top Of the
terrace steps. Run In AMI tell the
others, Oracle. Rout the Duchess out
of her room-she's writing letters.
Tell them all to come out and meet
him here"
There was a flutter Of pretty frocks
through the long windows as Grace
flew on her errand. People hurried
down the terrace to join Adela; her
father came round the end of the
house. Another moment and the car
riage had flashed into sight-had
drawn up at the bottom Of the steps.
The hero of the British people, lit
tie embarrassed by the warmth of
his reception, stood smiling and cour-
teous at the steps Of the terrace, his
hand grasped in his hosts, his ears
assailed by eager welcomes, his glance
passing from one to another of the
clamoring group.
They were all vehement to shake
hands with him, to bid him welcome
home. to shower congratulations and
pretty speeches. And still his glance
strayed on.
Now he and his beautiful hostess
we're walking down the terrace to-
gether, and in at the long windows
of the drawing-room.
She noted with approval his fine,
soldierly bearing, his bronzed, strong
face-young still, in spite of the faint
ly grizzled hair about the temples.
"He is better looking even than the
portraits of him." she said to herself.
His glance was still wandering.
Presently he spoke.
"Is Miss Rawson out there on the
terrace? only Just shook hands
with her a moment ago. | should
like to see her II might"
Adela smiled. She felt she knew his
reason.
"He wants to find out from her at
once what his chances are," she
thought, amused. well. he shall be
put out Of his suspense"
Aloud she said graciously:
"Do go out and talk to her, while
take all these people to listen to the
band"
He stepped through the open win
dow. quick to accept the permission.
Grace stood at the terrace end, near
the very spot he so we'll remembered,
where he had thought his hope and
trust mad been slain.
The band at the other side of. the
house was frantically playing SOL
diers of the Queen" The air was
full Of the buzz of voices, the linger-
ing cheers beyond the park gates.
The world seemed all a-1utter with
garlands and roses and festoons, all
there for his sake,
He walked down the terrace, and
stood face to face with quiet girl,
no longer in her teens, in a white
frock.
MISS Rawson, this is a real pleas
ure!" Her hand was In his strong,
warm clasp, and his kindly eyes on
response TO the congratulations that
were on every other lip but hers. He
stopped them with brief thanks, look
ing round him with a half-amused
glance. why, this is the very place
where we parted-where saw the last
of you-how many years back?"
Adela was right He remembered!
He had returned with the impulse of
that memory still in his heart.
Grace said something trite about
changes time had made; she hardly
knew what she said. He assented
gravely, yet smiling. He was still
looking about him as II he were bring.
ing back the little scene.
Yes, n was here! How often have
thought Of 1t. At night over the
camp Are-out on the veidt-undsr the
starB!"
y hops the pain aid not 70 with
you'll"