The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-12-14
JUST FOR ONCE.
By MARGARET BLoUNT.
'IsWI

month past, and say yes today"
Roland Glenn looked down from the
saddle on his pretty ward, and shook
his head.
IT am going to ride in the park, Ina.
I could not take you there, you know
"Why not"
'well-you are too young, let us
say, and too-too good looking. And
you couldn't ride in the park alone
with any man except your husband"
"And have none," said Ina, laugh
ing, without noticing his deepening
color. what is more, | dent want
one. I'd rather ride with you, Roland,
II you would only consent to take me
far rather! suppose you could not
possibly give up the park for one day.
and escort ms over this lovely country
road, where there are no Mrs. Grun-
dys' to interfere?"
She put up her graceful, dark head
aside, looking up at him roguishly as
he asked the question.
Seeing that he hesitated, she went
on.
"Ah. do-please! 1t is so stupid
riding alone, day after day, with that
stolid groom at my horses heels"
VERY WELL" said Mr.. Glenn, bring
ing his horse nearer the steps. Fly
and put on your habit, and | VIII order
your horse brought round
Ten minutes later, they rode from
the door. passing down the avenue at
n walk. but breaking into a trot as
soon as they we're on the high road
outside the avenue gates.
From the window of the breakfast
room, Mrs. Hillyard, the widowed only
sister of Mr.. Glenn, watched them cut
of sight, with very serious face.
"That girl gets fonder of him every
dav" she thought, as she went about
her mornings work, giving orders 10
the cook. "And he is fcol not TO see
where Il will all end. Well, II he does
not tell her about his engagement 10
Miss Stearns before long. | Will!
The offending pair extended their
ride for many miles, and did not re-
turn till the early autumn evening was
yerging into dusk. Ina brought
brightly-blcoming pair OF cheeks 10
the dinner table. and looked the very
embodiment of happiness there ME-
Glenn looked happy, but also restiess
and disturbed. Mrs. Hillyard watcheu
them both somewhat grimly and Silent
ly. and 'blded her time
That evening they were bidden TO
Grand party-not ball, but dance on
a large scale--at the house OF MIS-
stearns, one of Mrs. Hillyards early
friends.
And there II was that knowledge
Of Mr.. Glenn's actual position came
To Ina. sooner than even Mrs. Hiliyard
had intended.
They had greeted their hostess, and
found q pleasant corner in the least
crowded of the rooms, when Ina was
claimed by one of her usual dancing
mariners" for the waltz just then In
progress.
AS they whirled swiftly round the
room, Ina caught sight Of her guardian
At a little distance, waltzing with a
stately-looking lady, apparently fve-
and-twenty years of age. She was
handsome as well as stately; she had
large, well-opened eyes of a reddish
hazel color, heavy masses Of red-brown
hair, arranged in the latest fashion
well-cut features, and remarkably
fine complexion, which was owing-tc
Nature or Art? Her friends said
Nature; her enemies said Art.
who is that LADY," asked Ina Of
her partner, as they paused to rest.
Don't you know her?" He looked
surprised. Have you never been here
before?"
"Never. Why do you ask, Mr.. Wal
ters?"
"Oh, beg your pardon! But Il
seemed odd that Glenn had never
brought you here-don't you see?-ol
Mrs. Hillyard. She stands in tn,
place of mother to. you, of course
and he must seem as much like ,
Father as a guardian, should think, a
his age, for he will never see five-and
thirty again, will he? And so, as yo,
live in his home, and are his ward, ant
like an only daughter, l wondered VIII!
he had never brought you here before
TO see his future bride"
His bride! Is he to marry-t,
marry her?" said Ina, lifting her bou
quet to her face to hide the suddel
pallor which she felt must be over
spreading 1t.
She looked at Roland Glenn with al
her heart her wrung, aching. suffer
Ing heart in her eyes. What wa
this shallow trifler beside him-thi
society man." who, rejoicing in hi
own verdant youth, dared to remar
sneeringly on Rolands age?
"Thirty-five!" Even IL that surmis
was right, what then? At forty-fiv
at fifty-Roland would still be tn
grandest, the noblest man she kne'
In outward appearance, as well as |
heart, and mind, and soul.
Her guardian yes. But standin
''in the place of a father to her" oil
never could she look upon him In tha
light She wished wildly that sh
could do so,when thus In an instan
n. II do he q