The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-09-28
The Comedy of a Haystack.

BY ADAM LILBURN.


with their affection.
Dan Hedley, the son of a neighbor-
ing farmer, was good looking fel-
low, whose natural and acquired at
tributes rendered him wonderfully sue
cessful with the fair sex. He had no
respect for women, and was therefore
unhampered by any scruples of con-
science in his dealings with them. His
favorite method was to flatter the
present at the expense of the absent;
and, unfortunately, this ignoble plan
did not often fail. Besides this, his
assurance carried him through many
q difficult situation, and 1t frequently
enabled him to oust wcers of greater
merit.
Alice and Margery were accounted
the two most attractive girls in the
neighborhood and formed a charm
ing contrast; Alice being of the fair
and sentimental type, while Margery's
eyes were dark and absolutely
sparkled with fun and mischief. Be
tween them the cousins, young women
as they were, did most of the farm
work-such at least as appertains to
women, and made light of It, too, fer
they were thoroughly practical and ro-
bust. Then, when the days labor was
over, they would sing and laugh, and
chatter; or saunter down the leafy
lanes with arms entwined around each
others waists, whispering their foolish
innocent dreams and secrets.
This until Dan Hedley sowed dis
sension and jealousy where before was
naught but love and kindness. He was
playing a risky game, making love to
both of them, but the danger added
Eest, and it is possible that he did not
know his own mind. Sometimes the
soft languor of Alice's eyes moved
him, and in them he could admire his
own reflection; but soon the roguish
glance of Margery proved too alluring
and led his thoughts astray. Why, oh
why, was he not Turk, that he might
not be forced to choose between each
charmers? Heaven knows how many
kisses he stole from each in turn, or
how many lies he told to conceal the
fact! Alas that it should only be
Jove, not Juno, who laughs at lovers
perjuries.
AS neither of the girls was of the
nature to tolerate or find amusement
In infidelity, Dan required to exercise
considerable tact to steer his course,
and how he eventually intended to
steer clear of shoals, since bigamy is
a punishable offense, is not known;
Tor fate took matters into its own
hands and brought Dams double court
ship to a somewhat abrupt termlna-
ton.
A strained condition Of affairs was
perceptible between the cousins one
afternoon in late summer. Margery
began it by finding fault with Alice for
spending too much time in making the
butter, and consequently keeping the
expressman waiting who called for il
every week.
Now IL there was one thing more
than another upon which Alice prided
herself it was the perfection of the
butter she sent to market, and as the
morning had been sultry she had ex'
perienced considerable difficulty il
bringing her present lot up to the
mark. Everyone knows how difficult
1t is to shape and imprint the pretty
yellow pets under such adverse condi
tons, and her temper-already ruffiet
by the many failures she had expert
enced-was not in a condition to brool
reprimands.
"If you're not satisfied with m!
work / think it's high time l wen
elsewhere" she exclaimed, her cheel
flushing, and her blue eyes SHINING
through a mist Of tears; II dare sa!
there are folks that would suit y,
better, even If they should make but
ter like cart grease AS for me, there
no need to be beholden to you, Will
I've got hand to work for my bread
All, it's you that's mistress here
though you never made me feel tha
before!"
'It's not far you are thinkin' of trav
cling" retorted Margery, sharply; "bu
It's never safe to count your eggs a
chickens Ay, an it's nasty of you I
Ot UiOWlHS yOui PpoAtiSh' @'i
conscience is clear on that point, any
way; fathers treated us both alike
hasn't he, now?"
"Oh, yes, but your fathers not you
Margery!"
There was a retort on Margery'
tongue, but she managed to suppress
II. Her superior position as daughte
VI the house had its responsibilities:
T. had also its disadvantages, for Alic
ook an exasperatingly humble tone
md the pride that apes humility ca
oe extremely offensive at times. Maj
gerry retreated to her bedroom, wher
she pretended to busy herself sweeI
1ng, singing merrily the while, in
loud voice in order to show her indii
rerence.
Alice listened TO the cheerful dit
while engaged in scalding her mil
vessels and setting them in place. an
the sound increased her bitterness.
'If II don't get out of this for
while it'll drive me mad" she mu
tArsd at length; "the heartless crel
nn,raf "a Ifka we'll To choke her Binf