The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-12-02

stance, WHICH Setineu W 'h0 oAiA "
dicative of cruel disfavor toward her
on the part of fate, was easy OF ex-
PLANTATION. In that quiet New England
village, where both wealth and want
were rare visitors people seldom went
away for the summer, or sent their
daughters to boarding school,
AS for visits to relatives, Mrs. Claf-
Inns only brother had been in Califor-
MIA for twenty years, and of Mr.. car
Inns sisters, one lived in lonely farm
house somewhere up in the hllls-a
place SO bare of attractions, according
to Mr.. Clafin's boyish memory, that
East Winstead had become gentle
Joke in the family chronicles-the de-
sirable end of the most towering am
bitions; that ambitions were owned
chiefly by Mary Louise. So to the
Clafiin young people the only door
way to the great outside world was
that of Mr.. Clanin's younger sister,
who had married a well-to-do lawyer
in New York.
And Mrs. fremont had been not un-
mindful of her duty toward her rela-
tives; Felicia and Tom and Emily
had more than once visited her; but
for Mary Louise, down at the bottom
Of the list, the happy hour had never
struck. Twice, indeed, she had been
invited, but once her Cousin Evelyn
had been taken i'll with scarlet fever,
and the other time Mary Louise herself
had sprained her ankle. So Mary
Louise believed in an adverse fate.
One rainy summer night, when the
family were all gathered in the sitting
room, she spoke up suddenly: Il don't
see what's the use of having good
mind If one is never going to be al
lowed an opportunity of broadening
it."
There was stir about the table;
Mary Louise's remarks were quite apt
to create a sensation. Her mother
looked puzzled. Her father glanced
over his newspaper at his youngest
daughter and waited but Tom doubled
up with tormenting laughter.
"Poor Polly-Lou!" he said, tenderly.
dened with greatness myself, but I've
always heard twas painful. You have
my profoundest sympathy"
Mary Louise flushed, but she did not
change her statement. There was
something stanch about her; she had
meant no conceit in her remark She
looked across at her father, who was
the one who oftenest understood
"How can one," she persisted, seri-
ously, "if one never goes anywhere or
sees anything?"
81 have it," Tom interrupted, with
dramatic inspiration. "You shall go
to East Winstead-I will pay your fare
myself! Never let it be said Of
Thomas Claflin that he was unmindful
of the genius growing up at his side!
Pack your trunk, Polly-Lou! To East
Winstead you shall go tomorrow"
Mary Louise, disregarding her broth
er, still questioned her father with
pleading eyes. He smiled across at
her, remembering the impatient dreams
of his own youth.
utlS tlmS yet, iittic Sili, hC
swered. Suppose we go out on the
piazza for promenade, and talk it
over?"
Mary Louise sprang up eagerly.
Many a difficulty had been cleared
away in a walk with father; but as
she threw open the door the light fell
upon the dripping figure of one of their
neighbors.
81 guess I'm too wet to come in,"
he returned, in answer to Mary
Louise's invitation. Il just thought
I'd leave your mail, since twas on my
way; thought likely wouldn't any of
you be going down to the Office to-
night"
Mary Louise took the handful of
mail-two or three newspapers and
one letter-and holding the door open,
lighted the neighbor down the path.
But the strain upon her politeness was
evident by the slam with which the
door blew shut; she knew by the en-
velope that the letter was from Aunt
Felicia and the consciousness of what
1t nigh contain coming so close upon
her cry, thrilled her to her finger-tips.
She carried it to her mother, and then
stood waiting.
Aunt Felicia says" he mother an
swered Mary Louise's beseeching eyes,
"that she wants one of the girls to
spend August with her at Long ISL
and She wishes that she could in
vite two of you, but as she expects
several other guests, including Miss
Gates, she has not room this summer.
But whichever one Of you decides to
go, she promises the happiest month
that she can give"
Mary Louise grew white with excite
ment To meet Miss Gates, the cele-
brated writer! Mary Louise, in her
widest dreams, had never thought of
anything SO wonderful. Had not Miss
Gates been for two years past the
ideal of all her most exalted ambi-
tons? And to see her-talk with her
to live with her for days! Then Mary
Louise awoke to the eager planning Of
the girls.