The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-10-03
Vengeance Is Mine.


Indt.
Alfred Melrose shifted uneasily from
one foot to the other. He had bent the
whole energies of a strong and reso-
Lutte nature to win May Greaves for his
wife, and had failed. Nothing he had
said seemed to affect her. But there
was one trump card still u%nplayed.
Are you aware" he asked, "of your
fathers last wish?"
NO" Fear came into her face.
81 thought not, or you wouldn't
well, you would think twice before
giving me that answer"
I'm sure father could say nothing.
He always wished me to be perfectly
free-in that way"
When he was strong and we'll
naturally. But when a mar is laid
aside and near death he is apt TO think
differently. There, May, I'll not beat
about the bush any longer. I've a
letter here which he wrote me a few
days before he died. You a see for
yourself what it says"
He took a letter from a leather wal
let and smoothed it out.
Read" he said, placing it in her
hands.
She followed as through a haze what
was written. Her father deplored his
approaching death, leaving a mother
less girl to face the butrets Of a cruel
world. 1t referred to the comparative
ly small inheritance she would have,
for Greaves had not been an oversize
oessful man, and expressed the wish
that Melrose, as his lawyer, should
wind up his affairs. Finally, it COM
mended May to Melrose's care, con-
Guiding:
"If by any chance, my dear Melrose,
her heart is turned in your direction,
l am sure that somehow the glad news
would come to me, and a great feeling
pf th%ankfulness that all was well with
her would flood my soul"
Melrose watched the girl closely as
she read. When she came to the last
words she put her handkerchief to her
ewes. He stood silent until her emo
ton was past.
well, May?" he asked softly.
She handed him back the letter,
with an unexpected show of decision.
mo, Mr.. Melrose, I cannot marry
you"
May, why not?" The words burst
from his heart.
Because | don't love YOU
as love the only motive for which
q woman marries? 1t is the best mo-
tive I know, but there are others. !
have love enough for both. love you
with my whole being. Do you doubt
TT"
NO." she answered sadly.
Think Of your position here. An
unmarried girl living alone in this
rough country, where men think so
little Of women-why, the position
would be unbearable to you. Let me
take care of you, May. Let me be both
husband and father to you!"
please don't talk like that-you
hurt me. Don't you see it cannot be?'
81 can't see. There is no one else,
and ="
: There is someone else"
Melrose staggered back, as if from a
blow.
"Who?" he demanded.
u cannot tell. Now, please 60"
And Melrose picked up his hat and
went-back to the Office to try to,
drown memory in work. 1t was a half
holiday, and his partner, Leslie Han
son, and the staff were gone; but Mel.
rose drew out his papers and sought
to forget himself, but with small sue.
cess. The sting of Mays refusal. the
bitterness of his disappointment, en-
tered into everything.
That evening Melrose walked around
to his partners house to discuss final
details respecting a pending case. He
was shown into a sitting room, and
told that Hanson, whose hobby was
photography, and who was develop
ing some films, would join him in a few
minutes. Melrose went up to examine
a new writing table that had lately
e added to the room.
Melrose started. On the blotting mad
was a note, addressed to Hanson. in
Mays handwriting. Taking one quick
glance toward the door, he turned it
ever. The envelope was open. Honor
suggested that he should leave il
alone, but Melrose yielded to baser mo.
tives. Quickly he drew the Enclosure
o the envelope. On the half sheet
OF note paper within May had written:
Il am troubled about something that
has happened today. Can you come to
see me tonight? l will look for you at
8 o'clock"
With nervous fingers and guilty
chances at the door Melrose replaced
the note.
Then Leslie Hanson was the other
man!
well, good evening, gentlemen"
Good night, Melrose. Mind you go
straight home!"
A general laugh from the company
present followed the remark. With a
keen retort Melrose passed out into the
night.
He had prophesied to himself, from
certain signs, that 1t would be a wild
ALL -t-LA - LIZ ----L------