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


thirty-five, stately, but with the pallor
of dissipation on his aristocratic fea-
lures and with clothing of the shah
by genteel type.
The only other occupant, a middle
aged man, with a soldierly air, started,
looked twice, then smlied.
"Claude Merrill, is it not?" and they
shook hands cordially.
major Graves, am indebteded to
your kind remembrance. 1t must be
quite ten years since we met, and |
thought l had altered beyond recog-
nition. am down on my luck, you
see," fishing with the consciousness
of the warm overcoat that kept OH
the cold of the winter day.
"Ten years! Why, it must be
twelve!" cried the soldier, ignoring
the latter part of the speech. Wasn't
It in the White Mountains l saw you
last? That summer you were so
sweet on the little dark-eyed girl with
the prisoned song-bird in her white
throat. l forgot her name, but it is
Mrs. Merrill, now, of course?"
"No."
Possible? So, then it was only a
f1rtation Pom honor, thought it
genuine case of spoons" laughed Maj
or Graves.
Don't, Major! | cannot bear to re-
member those old days!" and Claude
Merrill sighed from the bottom Of his
heart.
"You don't mean to say she died?'
in tone of awe. "Yet it must be so.
She would never have Tilted you; she
loved you too we'll"
"And l worshipped Lila Lake, Maj
marry me-"
"Did she marry some one else?"
81 don't know. I never heard what
became of Lila, but I'm bachelor
still, and if knew where to find her
now, I'd beg her to forgive me and to
share my altered fortunes, If she
would"
"she is dead, perhaps" said the
soldier.
81 have often feared so-dead per-
haps of broken heart-poor little
Lila" sighed Claude Merrill dropping
into pathos, and thinking of Tenny-
sons hero weeping over the grave of
his broken-hearted little love:
There put my face in the grass,
Whispered; Listen to my despair;
repent me of all l did.
Speak little, Ellen Adair!'"
Major Graves began to look greatly
interested, but the car stopped Just
then to admit several more passen.
gers, and Merrill continued, in a low
cred voice:
Il see you're curious, and I wouldn't
mind telling You the whole story, only
Il must leave you in few minutes.
get off near the White House, to
call on Senator Lorton, who lives up
that way. | was at the Capitol to see
him, but the doorkeeper told me he'd
gone home to help his wife receive
her guests in the entertainment she
gives for the foreign legation this af-
afternoon"
"Oh, yes, Lorton's from your State.
Splendid speaker, and young, too, they
say-little over thirty. Friend of
yours. of course?"
DO look like Senator's friend?"
with sarcastic glance downward at
his shabby clothing. "No, I've never
met Lorton, but I'm trying to secure
his influence to get me something I'm
der the Government-high-ton posi-
ton If poesible-if not, anything! I'm
ruined-have run through my fortune
and must work now, for I've an aged
mother and an invalid brother to sup
port, you see, and l can't afford to be
particular"
NO." assented the soldier.
But I'm not sanguine Of success"
continued Merrill, gloomily. 'Ive no
zeal claim on Lorton, only that / voted
FOR him, and am from his State. Then
too, he must know of my family the
highest in the county, and once the
richest. But l may fail. How is It
with you. major? Have you any infu-
ence you could use for me?"
None at all, I'm sorry to say. You
see. Merrill, my politics and the Pres
ident's aro of different complexion
entirely, and that cuts me out of any
influence. But come and join me in
, little supper tonight, and tell me
what luck you had with Lorton-you
must!" handing Merrill his address.
well, then, l will, thank you, ma
jor. But this is my corner. Au re-
yoir."
"Who is he, major?' asked an ac-
Huaintance, as Merrill left the car.
"Old acquaintence-Claude Merrill,
from down South. Quite grandee
once-down on his luck now, and seek
ing govscanent work"