The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-02-19

GU re not going out, surely, lsd-
bel?" she asked, as that young wom-
an looked in upon her.
I'm going to look for a shady
spot to read in"
"It's very irritating to people who
have to gasp for every breath.
"You shouldn't gasp; lie still and
breathe naturally. People lose half
the things life has to give by striving
after them; it is better to take things
quietly"
"If you are going to talk like that
I shall want to throw something at
you," Mrs. Lomax said.
Isabel laughed, a quiet, low ripple
of sheer amusement. Then she went
into the garden and across the lawn
to the pagoda. A boat was moored
to the steps under the sheltering
trees, and the odor of a cigarette
mingled with the scent of the roses.
In no way disturbed by these phenom-
ena, Isabel ran lightly up the steps,
and beheld Mr.. Folinbee stretched
at full length in wicker chair, his
coat off and his shirt-sleevs turned
up.
"By George! isn't it hot?" he said,
springing to his feet with more agil-
| ity than his friends would have placed
to his credit.
at was foolish to come; you might
get q sunstroke.
II always try to keep appoint
ments."
"Appointments?"
81 asked if you would be in the
pagoda this afternoon, and you
said"
POSSIBLY"
"Your lips did, know; your eyes
said Yes"
Then they should have had more
self-respect.
She sat down on the steps, the
water lap-lapping at her feet, and the
suns piercing rays glancing through
the leafy network overhead and MAX
ing a gold and copper patchwork Of
her hair.
you might say you've pleased to
see me-" he said.
81 can truthfully say that, for I
want to talk to YOU"
There is nothing like better than
hearing you-I came on purpose, and
and | want to talk, too"
"Then you must wait until I've had
my say"
MAY I sit beside you and finish
my rette?"-taking the permis-
sion as granted.
"Mr. Notwithstanding of my
history you know, that 1 am penni-
less-and-"
THAT part doesn't matter bit"
"But you don't know that when
my mother died, five years ago, Mrs.
LomaX offered me a home uncondi-
tionally."
81 wish had had the chance"
He knew, none better, that Mrs.
LomaX never repented of the bar
gain; Isabel was maid, dressmaker,
| secretary, companion, all combined,
at remuneration no other woman
would have accepted.
"She and my mother were distant
cousins-so that it was all the more
creditable on her part, because no one
likes to have poor relations about the
place"
"Rats!" said Mr.. Folinbee, calmly.
"Where?"
"Never mind, dear-go on"
SO invited you here to-day"
"You admit it?"
"Yes-to say that you must never
come again."
"Oh! You could have said that on
postal card"
"You must know, Mr.. Folinbee,
that people think you are going to
marry Mrs. Lomax?"
"There are more lunatics at large
than locked up
"You have given her presents"
81 admit the accusation"
Then YOU are not going to marry
her?'
"Not while the present law exists.
My dear with quick change of
tone, finglnS the cigarette away, II
am going to marry you-yoa know
it."
"Why have you not told Mrs. Lo-
max so all along?"
because she would have shown
me the door, and we should have had
to meet at the Art Gallery, or in the
park. Think OF IT."
"She must be told now"
"In week or two; it's too hot to-
day, and she might send me away
without any tea. Besides, / want to
be near YOU
Then their eyes met, and he kissed
her.
A sharp ring summoned John to
the front door of the Folinbee fiat.
Mrs. Lomax stood outside.
as Mr.. Follnbee at homer" she
asked.
"No, ma'am. He went to Ashcroft
this morning."
Suddenly"