The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-11-16

promise of o cold, dreary winter to
come, when two gentlemen, some
thirty-eight or forty years old, sat over
wine and cigars in a luxurious room
in an uptown boarding house, in New
York city. One, the youngest of the
couple, had landed few hours before
from a European steamer, and had
been telling travellers tales to his
companion, far into the night hours.
"Rich?" he said in answer to a
question. mo, but little richer than
when | left here. But | have gained
experience and knowledge in my Paris
life. There is nothing like French
schools and hospitals for a doctor.
Bert, would not take thousands of
dollars and miss the last four years"
But you are glad TO come hcme,
Cyrus?"
Homer" said Cyrus Worthington,
with short, bitter laugh. This is
my home a room in boarding house,
and chose this because you were
here, my old friend and chum."
But your relatives?'
81 do not know of one. Doctor
worthington took me from charity
school when | was six years old, be-
cause l had a curious variation of
scarlet fever he wished to study at
leisure. was an odd child, smart and
active, and before the fever was cured
he became fond CT me and adopted
me. We must have been a strange
pair. Berthe old bachelor, wrapped
up in his profession, and the elfish,
half-starved founding. But we were
very happy. Until | went to Harvard,
where we met, my benefactor edu-
Gated me himself, and | devoured
books. had no one to love, and
books filed the craving Of my heart,
so studied everything before me, in
cluding the medical works in the IL
brary. You won't believe me, sup
pose, il | tell you l could use dis
secting knife before l was twelve years
old"
81 do not doubt it. We all consid-
cred you prodigy of learning at Har-
ward. By the way, how did you ever
come to leave the doctor for college?"
He desired it, distrusting his own
powers of tuition after passed seven
teen. When | came home, as you
know, / became his partner and as
sistant until he died, leaving me thirty
thousand dollars, and | fulfilled my
lifelong desire and went to Paris"
"Was that all that drove you to
Paris? No love dream, no fair CON-
panion on the steamer"
None. | am heart-whole at thirty
eight. Can you say as much?"
mot l. My heart is as full Of holes
from Cupid's dart as a skinner. My
last love, though, is the sweetest
maiden that ever won heart with
soft eyes and golden curls. You shall
see her In all your travels you have
seen no fairer face than Eloise Hunt
er's."
Over Cyrus Worthington's face came
a startled look that was almost terror.
"Eloise Hunter" he cried: then
added, with forced carelessness, 1T
is pretty name. Who is she?"
THE daughter of my landlady. Did
I not mention her name when wrote
you l had secured rooms for you
here?'
mo"
well, that is her name. She is the
widow of one Daniel Hunter, who
died, leaving her without one dollar,
having squandered her fortune as well
as his own. Not bad man, Judge,
but one who was wickedly reckless in
using money. Well, he is dead, and
his widow keeps this house!"
"And this daughter how old is
she?"
Nineteen or twenty, should Judge.
She is SO little and fair she looks like
. child. You are tired, Cy."
VERY tired"
You are as pale as death I will
leave you to rest. Pleasant dreams"
Pale as death, and with his large,
dark eyes full of startled light, Cyrus
,,orthington paced the floor after his
friend retired.
1T is fate!" he muttered. Destiny.
What accident could throw that girl
across my path three hours after land
ing in New York?
hlOlse, only uduBnter OF Ddnlel f1unt-
er. 1t makes me dizzy to think. If
after all, l am to grasp what have
coveted for years. Patience, pa.
tience!"
He paced the room for hours, till
the gray dawn crept in at the window,
when he threw himself upon the bed
for few hours repose. A man of iron
will, OF steady nerve, he had been as
sailed by the strongest, fiercest temp
tation Of his life, and he awakened only
to renew the mental conflict.
IA late breakfast was presided over
by a pale woman about forty, his
landlady, but there was no sign yet
Of Eloise. Feverishly desirous to see
her, to form some estimate of her from
his own observations, Cyrus Worthing-
ton fingered in the house all day.
He was a man who once having re-
solved upon any course of action,
could not be turned aside by trivial or