The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-05-13
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LILA'S REVENGE.
BY MRS. ALEX. MovEIeH MILLER.


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tie supper that night.
The old days had their pain and
their charm for him, too; for, unknown
to all, the major-it had been plain
captain then-had secretly cherished
an affection for the beautiful girl who
had, as he said, "a song-bird in her
white throat" But Claude Merrill had
monopolized her so completely that
every one else seemed quite out of
the running.
"And he let her go, after all, the
fool" the major muttered to himself,
as he impatiently awaited his guest
that evening.
The door opened. Through the curl
ing blue smoke of his cigar he saw
Claude Merrill's face, pale, strangely
excited.
Congratulate mel" he cried, in a
strange voice.
with all my heart" and they shook
hands.
"Tell me all about It," cried the
major.
well, saw the Senator. He was
very kind. am successful beyond
my hopes. l get good berth in the
Pension Department with a big sal
ary!"
mo wonder you look excited! Why,
man alive, your face is pale, your
eyes wild, as if you had seen a ghost.
Perhaps I have, major"
He drew a deep breath as he light
ed cigar and threw back his hand
some head. His gray eyes glittered
strangely.
"The ghost I care most to hear
about is Lila Lake." said the soldier.
'Vou promised this afternoon, you
know"
Eyes, l will tell you ALL" said Mer-
riH. "Hark to the wind, how it raves!
A stormy night, my friend"
"Yes, yes; but it cannot penetrate
here, and supper will be served pres
emily. Let us have the story first.
Why did you not marry Lila? A low,
er's quarrel?"
NO"
"Then why the deuce"
Softly, major. Your excitement
makes me suspicious"
"a fig for your suspicious! loved
Lila Lake myself! There! I thought
you meant to marry her, or | would
have offered her my hand"
81 wish you had, Major Graves.
was better match perhaps then, as
money goes, but your heart was the
truer Listen, then, and despise me-"
Outside the winter wind raved wild
ly, moaning along the broad avenues
like dirge. The two men gazed at
each other eagerly.
You know my family, Major Graves.
The best blood ran in our veins, and
we We're rich, too. l was a catch in
those days"
YES"
And when fell in love with Lila
Lake, who was summering in the
White Mountains, l never dreamed
but that she was of my own rank in
life. Young, lovely, gifted, she was
my ideal, and you know I spared no
pains to win her heart"
"And you succeeded" said the ma
jor, with groan.
"Yes, her beautiful dark eyes and
every tone of her sweet voice when
she spoke to me told me that. was
so sure of her answer l was in no
hurry to speak, and the day that she
left to return to the city l told her |
should follow her the next week, and
asked permission to call on her at
her home"
EYES,"
"She looked at me with such a
sweet and trusting smile and gave
me card with her address. 1t was
on such an obscure street that look
ed at her in uncomfortable surprise.
She hushed, and murmured half
proudly:
81 don't live on Beacon Hill, you
see. I am only a working-girl, Mr..
Merrill
She working girl!-that incarna-
tion Of beauty, grace and talent! The
ground seemed to reel beneath my
feet. stared at her, almost offensive
ly, / know, in my great surprise, for
she drew herself up proudly, and said,
in stiff little voice:
ought to have told you all about
myself before, but I did not think 1t
was anyone's business unless-unless
they were particularly interested in
me-and you-you have been very
friendly'-she blushed warmly here
so will be frank with you, and then
-then-you can call or not, as you
please, when you return to the city,
"She told me then that she was an
orphan. Poor little girl. only seven
teen and an orphan! She lived with
widowed aunt at the address she had