The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-04-06
how completely she should take Alice

| ohC uoh NAPOtt iiO uhtii NNaANto
day." said Mrs. Colby to herself.
What fun it will bel"
Her dark eyes sparkled miscliev-
ously beneath her veil at the idea
II wonder" she thought, ar ion-
sciously following the thu ea6 OF her
own musings, 'if Al,ce's brother is
really so perfect and chivalrousf
There are few of that type left in the
world, and if should meet my ideal
out here among the waves, 1t would
be life romance"
Boat in already! You dSn't say
so! She made good time" cried Mr..
Coverdale, running down the steps of
the hotel, wiping the cigar sNhes from
his heavy mustache at the same mo-
ment. "Come On, Ealt"
The passengers were l}ling into
the great four-horse staSes which
awaited the boat; but Mr.. Coverdale
settled all perple1ties by calling out:
ANY one here for the Locust Cot
tage-Mrs. Julian Raym ond's."
Mrs. Colby glanced up in surprise.
Could 1t be possible that Alice had
fathomed her little scheme?
YES" hesitated she, 81 am"
"Come on, then, aid don't stand
staring all day!" said Mr.. Coverdale,
with the scant allo vance of courtesy
he deemed sufficient for working
woman. She stepped in the convey
ance unaided.
Gall right?" he impatiently shout
ed, pulling the reins. Now, Hal, you
needn't throw away your cigar" as
his companion glanced doubtfully at
the yelled passenger. "She don't
mind little smoke, do you, Mrs.
What dye call yourself?"
Mrs. Colby sat in a maze. Was she
dreaming, or had this strange char
ioteer gone mad?
ooh, you needn't be surprised"
said Mr.. Coverdale, checking a hic-
cough. "Im Mrs. Julian Raymond's
brother. She send me to meet you"
"I am much obliged, I am sure,"
faltered Mrs. Colby; Out"
"And l hope you'll do your best to
keep your situation" went on Mr..
Coverdale; "for my sister has had a
deuce of time with these intelligence
people"
A comprehensive flash came into
Mrs. Colby's eyes. Mrs. Julian Ray
monds brother evidently mistook her
for servant, coming up in search Of
place.
"But-" she began hurriedly.
1t was no use. Her feeble attempts
at explanation were drowned in the
rafting of the wagonette wheels as
Mr.. Coverdale touched up the spirited
horses.
Get up, Maud! Whoa, Nigger!
not a bad team of yours, Hal. I'll
buy them of you at your own price
when I'm married to the rich widow" "
"What rich widow" asked Hal,
lazily putting away at his fragrant
weed.
Mrs. Colby held her breath.
Don't you know? Haven't you
heard? But, honor bright, now,
you're not to cut in and spoil my
chances. It's one of Alice's old
school friends-Coalbin, or Coldslaw,
or some such name-as rich as an
Astor, who's coming up from New
Haven day after tomorrow. Con-
gratulate me-"
What! Already"
"It's as good as done. What's the
old proverb? I came, I saw, con-
queredp Oh, there's not much doubt
in the case, flatter myself"
Perhaps you won't fancy her"
"She is not of much consequence,
one way or the other; it's her money
I mean to make love to-Ha! ha!
ha,"
Then the conversation drifted of
upon the subject of the races.
Mrs. Julian Raymond was on the
piazza, when they drove up to the
door, in one of her ravishing toilets.
Hello, All" cried out her brother,
checking the horses with sudden
jerk. "Heres your housekeeper.
"Why, she's been here these two
hours!" said Mrs. Raymond, opening
wide her wondrous eyes. "She came
by way of the train. Who on earth
have you got there?"
"Only me-" said Mrs. Colby, SPRING
ing out of the wagonette and throw.
ing back her veil, while mischiev-
Gus smile played around her pretty
lips. kiss me, Alice. l hope you
are agreeably surprised"
Mrs. Julian Raymond sprang for.
ward to embrace her schoolmate.
Dearest Viola, l am so pleased
And you, naughty Harold" shaking
her chubby fist at her brother, "are
you in the plot, too?"
No; Mr.. Coverdale was certainly
not in the plot, as his dropped under
jaw, staring eyes and sheepish counte'
nance plainly denoted as he bolted
out of the room, unable longer tc
endure the sarcastic glitter of Mrs
Colby's eyes.
HAL" cried he to his friend, "hold
on! Take me down to the hotel with
you"
What for?"
1--WE done tive ruined my