The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-10-09

struck. Her head was bent and she
was perhaps of a grave far
away under the palm trees on the Pa
cific coats, where the hot sand had lain
for-was it thirty years? Or perhaps
she was thinking OF that presumptu-
Gus uncle-in-law who had ousted her
from her rlghtful place in the old cor
ner, and forced her to rest at last, as
she had lived, alone. Suddenly she
raised her head, and as she did so,
she paused, and drew herself up with
quick, shy movement, and a shade of
annoyance passed over her gentle
face. There was a man, stranger,
standing beside her lair" The man
had his back turned towards her, and,
If one judged by his bent head, was
thinking also. Miss Galbraith pres
entity found courage to draw near and
take up her position on the little piece
OF mossy turf she had selected to be
her final resting-place. She measured
the plot with her eye. 1t would be cos
Ter next to the wall, but that would
not get the warm sunshine, and she
| loved warmth. She would feel easier
in her mind when this purchase was
settled, and she knew where she would
be put when her time came. She had
left all directions for the funeral, and
everything would be decent and in or
der There would be no chief MOURN
er. She was the last of her race. Her
annuity would die with her-so would
her race. She was so lost in these
thoughts that she quite forgot the vi
cinity of the stranger, and failed to
observe that he had become aware of
her presence, and was now quietly re-
garding her. He was a tallish man,
older than one would have Judged
from his broad shoulders and upright
carriage. His hair was gray and griz-
zled, and his gray moustache hid his
mouth and showed only his firm chin.
Under his rather shaggy gray eye
brows his eyes were alert and keen and
kindly.
Yes, her annuity would die with her
and so would her race. They had been
much respected folk, the Galbraiths;
but she had done them no discredit.
She had lived quietly in the little
stone house with the front garden,
had been peaceable with her neighbors
and helpful as far as her means and
her abilities allowed her, had been
dutiful church member, and had train
ed her maid-servants and given them
teas-sets when they left her to be
married, and had done up her hair
neatly morning after morning in front
Of the mahogany mirror with the
drawer in it. Well, one day, 1t would
be over, and they would lay her here,
where the afternoon sun struck the
grass They would carve her age on
he tombstone. There would be no
thief mourner; but beside her in the
grave, if her written instructions were
carried out, a little sealed packet
Miss Janet suddenly became aware
that her tears were tickling her face,
and worse still, were falling on her
best bonnet-strings. She drew out
a folded cambric handkerchief and
shook it open, and in dong so nervous
ly remembered the man few PAGES
away, and glanced in his direction.
But at the hint of the handkerchief
the man had turned quickly on his
heel, and Miss Galbraith's agitated
look found him apparently absorbed
In contemplation of a budding ash
tree. She raised her veil and dried her
eyes, and furtively regarded the stran-
ger. What could have brought him to
the graveyard of the Parish Church?
1t was not any past association, for
that would have taken him to the old
er graves down among the yews.
Could it be a future interest? Could
he, also, like herself, be selecting a
''lair?" There was room for but two
in this corner; was he then choosing
the one next her own? Miss Galbraith
kept her eyes on the ground, and be-
gar to walk slowly to the path that
led to the gate; but in doing 80 she
had to pass the stranger.
Are we to pick up our last moor
ings alongside, in this little haven?"
asked quiet voice, and she looked up
to find him standing in front Of her,
his hat In his hand.
A sudden pink tinged Miss James
pale cheeks, where the marks Of
tears still showed. She bowed gravely.
1T would seem So" she answered, in
her soft, low. Scottish voice.
They stood In silence, side by side
for a moment or two, she with shyly
averted face. He still kept his hat In
his hand, and Miss Galbraith, to whom
these courtesies were unfamiliar, was
| gratifed.
1T b a pleasant spot" the man said,
presently.
"And very peaceful" the woman re-
piled demurely.
He glanced at her kindly. "That is
what was seeking, ma'am." he told