The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-05
Copyright. 1914. by the
LUBIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY

pointed out, possessed the strategic
advantage of allowing occupants there
of to command clear view Of the
Harris castle while they themselves
were safely invisible.
They met in what seems to be the
accepted manner of lovers meetings,
in sheltered hooks. Presently Mary
freed herself and with tragic eyes and
trembling lips whispered the dread It'd
ings.
Mother is going to marry me to
horrid old lord" she said.
Horror banished the smile from
Toms face. He blanched, but heroic
ally rose to the occasion.
Fear not, | will save you," he cried,
with very creditable imitation Of the
hero in Broadway's latest romantic
success.
Mary pouted.
Don't he silly" she said ungracious-
ly. You know you can't do anything.
You are too poor
In sorrow he bowed his head.
you're dead right, not a chance" he
groaned. Might get by the old gen
tleman-he knows fellow doesn't
have to stay poor-but your mother!
No hope at ALL"
But you know l will always be
true?' Mary demanded. This accept
ance of defeat seemed tame.
"Will you?" he asked eagerly. and
somewhat pettishly Mary nodded. Just
then, however. slight confusion, a
scurrying Of liveried servants and
stopping motor attracted her eyes to
the front Of the palatial cottage. An
excited flush sprang into her cheeks.
and hurriedly she leaned forward to
catch better glimpse
Gracious! He's here" she said. and
with scant adieus hurried away.
"Oh. adored but fickle heart!" Tom
murmured and swiftly returned to his
labors
A week later there was published the
announcement of the engagement of
Miss Mary Harris to Lord Cecil Of
England.
On the same day Lord Cecil stood
| looking from his bedroom window.
His range of vision included n garden
nook well screened from every other
direction He could see with unmis-
takabie clearness that the girl weer,-
Ing bitterly and clinging about the neck
of young gentleman of tragic mien,
was his promised bride.
Really. v know. cant have that sort
Of thing" Cecil remarked thoughtfully.
by Jove. it looks as though the little
girl The sentence remained untin-
ished, and lie hurried from the room.
As Cecil came upon them the young
couple drew quickly apart, but Mary
faced him defantly.
81 don't care.' she asserted. while
tears formed slowly in the violet eyes.
Il love Tom. and he is going to Brazil.
and don't want to marry you. and l
will die Of a broken heart, know I
will"
For few moments Lord Cecil pom
dered gravely. then, with cheerful
smile, hurried away, first telling them
to await his return. Mary, between
fright and grief, just shifted. Tom
sullenly and uncomfortably shuffied his
feet. They edged away from one an.
other.
Between Thomas NJ. Harris and
Lord Cecil there had developed a real
though unspoken friendship Each had
rightly seen into the heart of the other.
Harris. however. was for moment be.
wildered when Cecil. finding him alone
made the unique suggestion that had
come into his mind.
"You mean you don't want to marry
Mary?" Harris demanded
MY wishes need not be considered.
1t is Marys happiness that is in ques.
ti0n. I-aw-did not know that she
was In love with any one" Cecil said
gently.
Harris extended a rugged hand, and
his voice shook.
Shake, sir!'' he said. by George
sir, knowin'-I found outflow you
need money, I'm bound to say you are
a white man! BY gum, sir. I'm willn'.
Yes, will call you m'lord after thisv'
Cecil writhed in acute embarrass.
ment-internally. His face gave no
sign.
"As to your suggestion. I'm afraid II
won't work" Harris remarked thought.
fully. 81 know that boy-he's all right
but Martha is set on bein' mother-in.
law to n lord, and she is terrible set
when she is set. However. maybe II
You suggest 1t she will take to II. Let's
get the children and see which way
the cat jumps"
1t was a constrained little party that
presently found itself in the command.
ing presence of Mrs. Harris. Lord Ce.
Gil plunged to the heart of the subject.
MARY, Y know, would prefer to
marry this gentleman" he said, indi.
eating the restless Tom. I'VE might
just let him take my place at the wed.
ding next week. don't you think?"
For a moment Mrs Harris was
stricken dumb with amazement. but
only for moment. Then it became
most clear that she did not think the
suggested substitution of grooms In the
slightest degree desirable. Weeping,
Mary sought her own room. Sullen
and obviously frightened. Tom depart
ed.
To Be Continued.