The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-05-13

l
worked in store-sold gloves and ev-
en- tried them on mincing fine ladies
at the glove counter.
"'And on Sundays sing at the ca
thedral, and get as much for my con-
tralto in the choir, for one single day,
as do for my whole week in the great
Boston store, she added, with a lit
tie air of pride. Indeed, only for the
singing never could have saved mon
| ey to come to the mountains and rest.
1t is very tiresome at glove counter,
you know. Ones side gets to aching
so badly from leaning over and trying
on peoples gloves
| "She said it with a proud, sweet
air, like princess, and if l had not
been fool and a coward, should
| have taken her in my arms and told
her that her weary, toilsome days
were over and that she must soon be
my bride. But l was Mortified; my
pride rose in arms"
"Yes," the major said, dreamily,
through his cigar smoke
"We parted in mutual constraint, Ii.
la wounded and very quiet. saying
simply that would call on her when
| passed through Boston on my way
South. l do not think even then she
| believed me, for she was very proud,
very quiet. l saw her sweet lips
| trembling when she tried to smile a
gay goodbye"
"And you have never seen her
since?"
"Oh. yes, for came through the
city and stayed two weeks. But I did
not call on Lila. A struggle was go.
ing on in my mind between love and
pride. How could I, the proud, aris-
tocratic Claude Merrill, take for my
bride a little salesgirl from a glove
counter? My proud relations would
| have disowned me. My dead ancest-
ers would have turned in their graves.
$50 you came away?"
"Yes, after two weeks, during which
saw her daily, myself unseen. was
at the cathedral when she sang.
was at the grand emporium where she
sold gloves. saw how sad and pale
the lovely face had grown. heard the
accents of despair in her sweet-young
voice. My heart was breaking, too,
but could not relent from my cruel
pride. came away at last, and made
no sign"
Poor Lila!" murmured the major.
81 wonder if could find her In Bos-
ton now"
mo; wrote there years ago in
quiet way. Her aunt was dead. Lila
had left the city. No one knew where
she had gone"
"And that Is the end of her little
story of love and sorrow. Poor Lila!"
and the majors head dropped on his
breast
There was a strange smile on
Claude Merrill's face.
"Now let me tell you about my call
on the Senator" he said.
"Is there a"vthing more? You have
already said III wou!s get the place
under the Government"
"Not much more. But 1t was a
grand success, was 1t not? Major
Graves, you know that many a poor
devil has hung about the lobby of the
Capitol for years, and never got any
thing half so good as this for his
pains, though he lay in the very dust
at the Congressmen's feet. Well, you
know my influence must have been
strong"
"Very-but how was it?"
"They were in the very thick Of the
grand entertainment when l sent in
my card to Senator Lorton. His
f1unkeys were incensed at my cheek,
but insisted. was desperate with
suspense, and l didn't care for a hun
dred legations. I'd been running af.
ter the Senator and writing to him for
week. l was determined to get a
hearing"
"And he saw your"
"Yes. He came to me in the library.
He was very proud at first, and fan.
cied half contemptuous. My blood be-
ga nto boil then. saw him putting
some sort Of restraint on himself, and
he said quietly that he had not
thought he could help me at all when
he first got my letter-the place was
actually promised to another man, and
he could not see just how he was 60
ing to make it up to the other fellow,
but lady of his household had inter-
ceded for me, and as he could refuse
her nothing, he had agreed to get me
the place.
'Then he looked at me little cold.
ly out of his splendid blue eyes, and
asked me If ever knew Miss Lake
Miss Lila Lake.
Il told him yes, and that l would
give the world to see her again.
Perhaps she can see you a few
moments. will go send her to you,
and you must thank her for the ap-
pointment you will receives tomorrow
morning. 1t is all her doing and he
bowed himself out o fthe library"
Mos +;