The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-01-07
WON BY A TUNE.
By r. BONSALL.

piest Of mortals, for a single look
served to tell him he held her heart
still.
I'm hostess for the moment" she
observed. Let me take you to
mother"
He followed her, and little later
was being introduced to Mrs. Renton.
"Mr. Jermyn, mother!"
The stately lady addressed, looked
up, and as she saw his handsome,
clear-cut features, started.
"Mr. Jermyn?-ah, yes, of course!
Your appearance seems familiar. But
then, aren't your photographs all over
London?" she asked.
Mark bowed, but guessed by her
tone that she had never seen his por-
trait.
He sauntered aimlessly about, con-
versing first with one and another, till
the host himself And Jermyn was
agreeably surprised; Elsies father was
not nearly so formidable as he had
pictured him to be; on the contrary,
his attitude toward the young lion of
the season was courtesy and geniality
itself.
"Ahl my daughter tells me she met
you in Paris" he remarked. "One Of
the first to discover your genius, I be-
lieve? Elsie's a dear girl, my dear
sir!"
"She is" assented Mark, earnestly.
always a dutiful girl, and a prize
worth the winning" continued Mr.
Renton, briskly. Its a pity we're to
lose her so soon-but there! the men,
the men! I was young myself once"
you mean some one will fall in love
with her?" Queried Jermyn, anxiously.
Has fallen in love. Scores of them
BY the way, there she is with Lord
Mapleson."
Mark Jermyn turned and followed
the others glance to where Elsie stood
talking with the man he mad noticed
but few moments before.
Are they"
Engaged. my dear sir, engaged.
And to be married shortly. My wife's
wonderful woman; she's arranged it
ALL"
Marks first impulse was to flee, but
he resolved to learn the truth from
Elsie's lips first. At last he caught
her glance, following her into small
ante-room leading from one Of the
principal apartments. When the door
closed, he took her hand, and looked
into her eyes.
Elsie" he asked. as it true?"
She avoided his gaze.
'Ts what true?" she murmured.
THAT you're engaged to Lord Maple
SOM"
Her eyes filled with tears and she
turned toward him passionately.
mol" she said vehemently. Hes
| asked me frequently, but I've always
refused. But mamma insists, and the
rumor we're engaged is about already.
Oh, Mark! Mark!"-With an out
stretching Of her arms that was irre-
| sisitible; whats to be done?"
He took her into his arms.
"You love me, what is to prevent
our happiness?"
"Mother-she insists. Father.
know, would rather l married q man
Of my choice"
"And l insist on you marrying mel"
he cried earnestly. "That is, II you're
willing to become the, wife of non
entity?"
She looked up quickly.
who is the nonentity?" she asked.
"You, the clever artist or"-with a
gesture of disdain-"Lord Mapleson?"
Then. darling" he cried, IF your
mother will not consent, ii must be a
runaway match. You're sure you
don't mind intrusting your happiness
to me?"
mo indeed, Mark, no! ] love you,
oh! heaps more than did two years
ago, and that's something, isn't it?"
He admitted that 1t was, and kissed
her, when someone calling Elsie, she
had to leave. Mark strolled back to
the drawing room with lighter heart
Someone was asking Mr.. Renton
whether Jermyn was to play; the host
shrugged his shoulders, but the musi-
clan at once interrupted with the re
mark he should only be too delighted
A move was made to the piano, while
all voices were hushed as It became
known that the great Jermyn was al
the instrument. He ran through sew
eral Of his better known things In
suGcsssion. playing rs he had never