Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-31

Alter a good many expressions of
grief and wonderment, the old man
wound up with "And so you can't
think of any possible reason? That seems
singular. What do you supposes'
HIS young friend hesitated and looked
down. She could not fib, and she could
not confde; so she said, simply, II can't
tell" Her lips trembled little.
"Oh, we'll, hell turn out all right, I
guess" concluded the other, soothingly.
at reminds me Of a foolish thing did
myself when / was young. I went off
and left the place l was staying iu too.
But that was because I was kind of
spooney about young woman that
wouldn't marry me. Atlee used to have
the name of beng too level-headed for
anything like that. He wouldn't be such
fool, would he?''
The small, brown hat went slightly up
ward with sudden movement. II don't
know" said the owner, "why you
should call it being fool"
''YOu know better than do about it,
of COURSE" assented the white haired
critic. perhaps that's exactly what he's
done. Is it?
~ heard some one saying they thoaght
he was disappointed in love- Bertha an
wered, rap diy and ungramatlcally.
"And you don't blame him. hazard
Ell he, induIgently.
"No don't. 1t shows that he feels
deeply, anyway"
"Well, now," continued the old man
with drawl which indicated an appoach-
ing relapse into garruiity, otis queer
enough l should have met ye, amt lt9
And you from Glyddon, where | used to
live; and learning news of Atlee this
way. Queer enough! Well I must see
his folks when I get back, and find out
if they know where he's gone"
After this they talked of other things,
until they came to Wingfeld, the end of
| the journey, he making himself agree
able ali the way, SO that when the mo-
ment came for parting, Bertha was aware
that the journey had been very short, and
tertaining one.
"Maybe I shall see you again, he
suggested, as they descended to the plat
form together.
"Do you ever come to Glyddon?' she
inquired, with polite reserve.
''Guess I shall before long, he replied.
"You wouldn't be surprised, suppose, if
old Clifford should drop in to see you some
day? And now think of 1t, what's your
name? Will YOU tell mes
She told him, and he pr omptly wan
dered off, after giving her nod, appar-
entity intent upon his own affairs. 81
should think he might have said good
| bye little more as ifhe was interested"
unused Bertha, not wholly pleased at
having him appear to dismiss her SO cas-
lily. And yet, what else could a mere
stranger, Il fellow conversionalist of an
hour, do? Besides, Bertha reflected that
old men could not be expected to show
the same interest and gallantry as-well,
as Guy and other young men.
When she got home that evening, she
hethought her to inquire of her father
whether he had ever heard Of an old man
named Clifford who had lived in the vii
lage. Mr.. Finch d1mly recollected him
years before. But l thought he was
dead" he added.
"No; l met him to-day in the train,
his daughter infor med him, ''and had a
very pleasant chat. He was so nice. I
do so like old men. Somehow when they
pay you compliments it doesn't embar-
ras you, and they seem to be true; for
what Gan an old man expect to gain by
paying compliment that he doesn't
mean"'
"I'm afraid the appetite for feminine
approval only increases in us with age"
laughed Mr.. Finch.
In less than week from the time of
his departure, the village was astonished
by Guy Atlee's temperance. 81 went
up to Woodruff to see my folks" was the
explanation; and he expected to make
light of the manner Of his going. But
though his escapade was a good deal
criticized, he appeared to have gained
rather than lost in public estimation
by it.
| When he went to see Bertha Finch, he
declared that jealousy had brought him
back. II learned of Irritation you
were carrying On with an old gentleman
in the cars-old Clifford; and knowing
your preference for mature men, I
thought my chances, if I had any left,
were in danger
"Yon are very impertinent to suppose
you have any chances was the retort to
this.
"But is it true about Gifford9" he
persisted.
cit is true that l met him. Oh, he's
perfectly lovely old man!''
''He would be very much f1attered if
he knew you said that. Shall I tell
hlnl?''
"You can if you like; I don't care,'
said Bertha, alrlly. 81 believe he's COM
ing to call on me-
Ibid he tell you SO? Then he proba-
bly, wants to sell you some pills.
"Mr. Atlee, what in the world do you
mean9"
"simply that he's a patent pill-ped
dler."
"How disgustingr' exclaimed the fas-
tidious maiden. "Never mind, he's a
real pleasant old fellow
dts part of his trade to be so," ex-
planned Guy. "But l judge, from your
admiration for him, that you still scorn
poor young boys like me-
II never said 'scorn.' " she answered,
'sand I think it was cruel of you to make
US all think you had perhaps committed
suicide. It was cowardly to make me
| feel that MIGHT have caused it"