The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-06-07


able, aunt" said Miss De-
lancy, struggling her shoulders petu-
lantly. "Things of this sort can't be
hurried up in moment"
"A moment" echoed Mrs. Gardi-
ner. "Why, it's full three months since
Grey Pelham commenced visiting
your
"Set your heart at rest, aunt" said
Marion, with glance of triumph
shooting from beneath he1 dropping,
blue-veined eyelids. 'If ever a man
was desperately in love, he is-the
time of his bachelor freedom grows
short"
"But how short?"
"Will you be satisfied if he proposes
In a week?"
"Yes-but he will not"
leave him to me" said the tall
beauty, imperiously. II am as impa-
tient as you are-but know very well
1t will not do TO show it."
ut is shockingly expensive" said
Mrs. Gardiner, plaintively. when 1
: took the furnished house for six
: months, I supposed you would be off
my hands long before this-and the
servants bills, and the account for the
coupe, with the driver in white gloves,
and"
Spare me the reiteration of house
hold annoyances, aunt" said Marion,
fmpatiently. "You are supposed to be
q wealthy dowager. l, your heiress
niece. What sort Of society do you
suppose we could have commanded if
people had known our real status"
swell, suppose you are right" said
Mrs. Gardiner, disconsolately; "but.
dear me, Marion, if this last chance
stSu!d fail"
1T will not fail, aunt. Haven't
told you to set your heart at rest"
Thus ended the colloquy between
aunt and niece, and Mrs. Gardiner
left the room to attend the summons
of her cook.
Marion rose slowly, walked, with the
step of a princess, to the full length
mirror, framed in a network of gilt
passion vine leaves, and looked into
Its surface.
What lovely picture smiled back
upon her, flushed with the soft wine
light of sunset. A tall, flexible figure,
full of unstudied grace; small head,
royalty set upon the slender, snowy
. throat, and crowned with braids of
silken black hair, coiled round and
round ip glossy profusion. Her COM
plexion was rather dark, but fine
grained as satin, with delicate GRIM
son glow on either cheek, and lips full
and scarlet as newly ripened cherries,
while her lovely black eyes, large and
soft as velvet, gave a tender express
sion to the whole countenance.
"Yes," murmured Marion Delaney,
half aloud. II have beauty - Grey
Pelham has rank and wealth. Are
we not evenly matched? What right
has he to ask for more?'
The thoughts were yet fitting
Through her brain, when a servant en-
tered, with sealed missive in her
hand.
"a telegram, miss, just arrived"
Marion caught it from the servants
hand and tore it open.
miss Delaney" it read, "your father
Is much worse and more troublesome
bo-day, and l cannot continue to take
charge Of him, unless arrears are paid
mp at once. If do not see you soon,
4 shall bring him up to New York,
and return him to your care
SARAH DARBY"
Marion flushed scarlet, and bit her
lip until her small, white teeth cleaned
windictively.
''What bothery' she muttered to
herself; "but it is just like that spite
ful old Darby to carry her senseless
Threats into execution. must get ten
nollars from Aunt Gardiner to stop her
mouth with; and the sooner the bet
ter. Perhaps had best take the even
ing express down to Berksdale at
bnce."
She glanced at her tiny Geneva
watch.
"Yes, have time; but l ought not
10 waste it now, of all times! One
nights delay may cast some chill
ncr0ss the glow of Grey Pelham's
love; but there is no alternative left
me-"
And the evening express carried Miss
delaney down TO the obscure little vii
lage where her poor, crazed, old father
was farmed out, at the least possible
rates Of compensation, to a hard faced
widow with heart like adamant and
sympathies dried down TO the merest
Bhreds.
Meanwhile. Grey Pelham, Esquire. il
his elegant bachelor sanctum, was pre-
pairing himself elaborately for an even
sing call on his fair goddess. It'was {
room whose adornment and decoration
bespoke not only wealth without stin
or limit. but refined taste and highly
cultured appreciation. Exquisite lit
lie bronze groups glimmered on carved
brackets; statuettss Of alabaster leanet