The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-09-20

"a watkins drew nlmScll
more stifly erect, and his
EM--...lL!I face assumed an express
sion of judicial severity be-
hitting representative Of the awe and
majesty of the law.
To the uninitiated, the reason for this
assumption of dignity was not very
apparent; but the officer himself,
though to outward appearance quite
Oblivious of all extraneous matters,
was perfectly well aware that he had
come within the line of vision of a
particular basement window, from
which, he doubted not, certain pair
of blue eyes were surveying him with
fond admiration.
1t was this fact which enabled him to
treat with silent contempt the imperti-
nence OF messenger boy, who. after
gazing fixedly at his, the officers, feet
Tor few moments in a particularly
disconcerting manner, described a wide
detour about them with every mani
festation of the liveliest alarm, the
while indulging in totally irrelevant
remarks regarding the absurdity OF
the city authorities going to the ex-
pense Of engaging steam rollers when
they had such efficient substitutes al
ready at hand.
Ignoring this impertincnce, though
mentally noting the boy for sound
cutting on the first suitable opportunity,
the policeman passed on, relaxing not
one jot of his dignity until out of sight
of the window in question. Then, with
slight smile Of pardonable vanity at
the treat he had given his admirer, he
relapsed into his usual stoid express.
sion.
Alas, If Policeman Watkins had only
known that two pairs of blue eyes had
been surveying him, it is possible his
self-satisfaction would not have been
go great.
A slight depression is necessary to
explain the circumstances of the case
Man is full Of deceit, and Policeman
Watkins was no exception to the rule
Possessing as he did the affections
of Mary Ann, the cook at No. 1444
Madison avenue, whose charms and
cuisine were noted for many beats
around, 1t might have been supposed
that he would have been abundantly
satisfied. But it was not so. One
string to his bow was not sufficient;
he must have two. Consequently, al
Enough as a policeman he remained
stanch to Mary Ann, when duty and
uniform We're laid aside, and he re-
tapsed into plain Robert Watkins, he
beguiled his leisure hours by paying
attention to Susan, a pretty maid SER
tant in a villa in the suburbs of the
city.
AS distance of several miles lay be-
tween the respective dwellings of the
Two ladies, the officers duplicity might
have remained undetected for an in
definite period. But fate had decreed
otherwise.
1t was plate that did the business
an ordinary dinner plate. III an evil
hour Susan broke it, and her mistress
seized the occasion to eXpatiate on the
carelessness of servants in general and
Susan in particular, in an Grafton
which lasted ten minutes by the clock,
and concluded with dismal prophesying
as to the fate which must inevitably
be in store for country in which such
things occurred.
A spirited reply by Susan by no
means tended to bring tranquility to
the ruffled domestic atmosphere and
the debate eliminated a few hours
later in Susan leaving the house with
smile on her face months wages in
her pocket, and a satchel in her hand.
Being a sensible girl, and having no
desire to eat the bread of idleness, she
at once proceeded to an intelligence
Dffice, where she entered her name |
Within week she was offered and
accepted, situation at No. 1444 Madi- |
son avenue, and on the next day en-
tered upon her new duties Thus had |
fate contrived to bring the erring po-
ficeman to book.
Mary Ann and Susan had not been
long in each others company before
they commenced to exchange tender !
condolences, and it is not surprising
that after many shy giggles each con-
fessed that her affections were worth |
Wy bestowed, and with a touching dis |
lay Of loyalty maintained the superla-
I've excellences of the possessor. In
leed. the warmth with which each up
held the perfection of her lover-all |
unconscious of the fact that both were
referring to the same individual
threatened seriously to bring about a
Supture of their new-formed friendship,
and 1t was only by the tact of Mary
Ann that this catastrophe was averted. |
"There's 10 use quarreling about it,"
she said. sensibly. "You haven't seen
my sweetheart SO, Of course, you don't |
know any better. But just wait till
the evening comes. when he passes. |
and then you'll see."
A. the afternoon wore on Mary Ann