The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-09-25

dim, rounded form in filmy white,
and came face to face with Miss Ker-
rison. She sat there motionless, her
hands in her lap, as If awaiting her
fate in the person of myself.
"All alone?" / said, lightly.
81 prefer to be alone" she said,
hastily, and rose as If to go.
But / understood what an infinity
of meaning the studied curtness of
her words would have fain concealed,
and l whispered, Please don't for
sake me. IL came here to look
for you"
Why" she asked. A most awk-
ward question.
"Why?" l repeated slowly, 10 gain
time. "Oh, because those people in
there bore me. And you-you never
do that, Miss Kerrison."
We'll, it is something to be har-
Dor of refuge" she remarked.
Thank you. Then, by the way, is it
really true, this time, that am to
congratulate you?"
ION my good fortune in finding
you here, do you mean? Why, GER
tainly," l said.
Il did not mean that" she said.
Il meant that-that-well, the usual
rumor is out concerning YOU"
Indeed" / exclaimed. But
which of the usual rumors do you
refer to-"
There is only one-isn't there
that is commonly linked with the
name of an eligible young bachelor.
But is it true?"
Believe me-" l assured her, 1T is
not true"
Il am so glad" she breathed softly.
Poor girl! At least-that is
She wouldn't have covered up her
indiscretion, but perceiving that it
was now too late, she paused abrupt
ly and lapsed into silence.
why are you glad?" l asked. 81
had not intended to proceed on ex-
actly these lines, but found it diff
cult to be sufficiently brutal now that
the necessity confronted me-"
oh" she drawled, with a woeful
affectation of Indifference, 81 think,
as the song says, You are owre
young to marry yet,' you know"
Il wonder what your wife will be
like" she went on presently. II dc
hope she will be nice, helpful sort
of girl, and not mere society butter
hy-like me-"
IF she were like you" / be-
gan, and stopped.
she won't be-" said Miss Kerrisou
quickly.
Il mean,' she explained, that the
object of our first fancy is so seldom
tie person to make us truly happy
If we but knew it."
remembered then that some one
had told me this was Miss Kerrison's
thir1 season.
First love is the only love-" !
said firmly. | had temporized with
my conscience too long already. She
must now be made to realize the sac
truth in all its ghastliness.
That is not So" she said. BE
lieve me, Mr.. Craven, when tell Vol
that you are as yet far too young tc
know what is best for your welfare. ;
anyway" said l, when my fate
does come along"
And there ! made an abrupt end
for she had suddenly begun to laugh
There could be no doubt about il
She was laughing-not Historically
either, but with unmistakable enjoy
ment, as at an irresistible Jest.
Mr.. Craven" she said at last
more seriously, Il think I'll be franl
with you. My honest dealing ma,
conceivably cost me your good opin
ion, but only for time. You II lik,
me all the better afterward. And
am sure you have enough commo,
sense. really, not to think me un
womanly or immodest in saying wha
l am about to say to you now"
Miss Kerrison," / cried in sor
distress, "forbear, reflect, consider
Don't speak yet. You may save u
both much pain IL you keep silent"
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed sharply
This was an affront. GO on, then
II you will, said sternly.
I've an idea," she said, that W
are at cross-purposes, and that it
all the fault of those dear, FOOLS
Frisbye. Mrs. Frisby has said some
thing to you about-well, about me
hasn't she? Please be straightfor
ward, Mr.. Craven"
mo, she hasn't" / answered.
"Mr. Frisby, them"
Yes"
What did he say?"
i turned on her in desperation
How can / repeat what he said?"
cried. Miss Kerrison, let me i'm
plore you to say no more. Let m
entreat-"
NO." she replied. II will tell 70
what Trey said. They told you l.
iwell-Lad a penchant for you."