The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-01-23

the past two years." She wanted to
ask him why he came to be reduced to
so dismal an appearance, but she hes
itated"
'Let me see," he unused. 81 asked
you to marry me when you were
eighteen. That was five years ago,
wasn't itT'
"Yes,' acknowledged Honor, her
heart beating furiously.
"And you refused because you were
anticipating career. 1t was to be
woman's rights, believe"
Honor, her eyes downcast, was twist.
ing her bracelet nervously.
"Then when you forgot your speeches
and had several unpleasant encounters
with unpleasant people you decided
that you were mistaken in your call
ing"
YES" said Honor again.
when you were twenty-one asked
you to marry me. Then it was the cat
farm. think possibly you might have
let me be partner that time, only OBJ
jected to the cats. | didn't mind one
feline pet, but | believe | used some
emphatic language in regard to the
farm"
"You certainly did," answered Honor,
smiling family.
"The third and last time was two
years ago. when the farm had lost Its
glory and its cats You were Honor
Wilding. philanthropist. then. You
told me If would join forces and
fortunes with you in your life's work
that you would be pleased ito walk
NIT me- as your friend, the scrublady,
said. couldn't see 1t that way, and
you remarked that loved myself bet
ter than you. and so we parted"
81 was unjust" murmured Honor.
"I have been sorry many times
II resolved to go away and forget
you i did the one, but not the other.
l want you this minute more than |
ever desired you in my life, and my
eyes tell me that you are not indiffer-
ent. Honor, my little girl. will you
wait for me till I can come to you as
man ought
But she was leaning forward eager
ly, her eyes suffused with tears, her
sweet lips trembling.
"Why must you go away?" she plead
| ed. Don't let wretched matter Of
money part us now. We have lost five
| years, Mervin, and have dollars
a-plenty for both Don't let your pride
| stand between us now, Mervin."
For moment he looked at her curt
| ously; then he smiled, albeit his eyes
were gravely tender, and he put his
arms around her.
Dear" he said fervently, I'm richer
than you are twice over I've kept on
making money these two years, just 50
shouldn't think so hard. was going
to ask you to wait till went to the
hotel and arrayed myself in decent
clothes before we plighted out troth. ]
didn't want you to feel as IL a beggar
were making love to you. spoke Of
waiting. for though the tailor said he
would have them there by noon knew
by sad experience that there might be
delay" t %,
But. Mervin. your clothes-l don't
understand" she gasped when she had
recovered her breath.
''Well, you see," he began hesitatlng-
| ly and shamefacedly, Jack Bronson
was on my train yesterday. He is
| really trying to reform, and he wanted
a certain position, but thought he was
too shabby to make any showing. The
man he wanted to meet was to be at
the station, so there wasn't anything to
| do but go to the crossing room and
change clothes with him. Fortunately
these, though ragged, are quite clean.
l thought would wear these a day or
| two, just to imagine what the fellows
felt like when they were down on their
luck. When you came to me was so
hungry to see you that | simply had to
! come. rags and all May so now,
| HonorW
! You are Mervin Fairbanks, philan,
| throp!st. and didn't know itr' laughed
Honor gleeftlly. mo, Don't 60 just
yet"