St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-06
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
Minnie Douglas in The Argosy.l

! 10Y himself. his vile was q thin, over
dressed woman of forty, whose face had
once been pretty, but that was long ago; and
whose aim in life, being childless, was the
acquisition of new clothes and jewelry. She
never tired of changing her dresses, and was
rarely seen wearing one a second time in
public.
Mr.. Lee had passion for sending tele-
grams. He seldom wrote a letter, but bonn
barded his friends with messages on matters
Of no importance-always, to do him justice,
preparing reply.
| One day-it was one of our horrid days,
and an east wind was blowing-Mrs. Lee OBJ
served; II can't see the use Of paying a shil-
ling for a telegram that nobody cares to get"
"And what's the use of giving forty guineas
for dress that nobody cares to seep retorted
Mr.. Lee, which caused his wife to fiounce the
one she was then wearing into the nearest
armchair, where she devoted her attention
to the last fashion book.
But one day there came telegram which
had crossed the Atlantic, and the news it con-
tanned, whether it were good or bad, caused
Mr. Jonathan Lee to take an affectionate
leave of his wife, previous to starting on a
short journey. The wording of the message
was this:
English gent has got the papers,"
Amongst the woods and hills of Surrey
stands a fine old stone mansion belonging to
Sir Andrew Gordon. In the library of the
house the members of the family were as
semble one evening, and the family consisted
of the old baronet and his son Archibald, an
Anticipated aunt of the latter, Miss Dorothy
Gordon, and Constance Gwyn, Sir Andrews
ward, beautiful girl of nearly IS.
"There will be storm tonight. Hark how
the wind is risingp said Miss Dorothy, with
a shiver. dts mercy your travels are over,
Andrew"
eyes," said the old man, holding his hands
toward the fire; II am better pleased with
the safety of my own stone walls than the
best mail steamer that ever crossed the At
lantic. But now I'll ring for lights; and,
Archie, my boy, come over and try to I'M
derstand some of the mysteries contained in
these yellow papers,"
Archie, a handsome, fair haired fellow of %,
had been resting at full length-and that
was over six feet-on comfortable sofa,
watching lazily the charming figure of his
fathers ward, who persistently looked every
way but his.
"Fll come; but don't suppose I shall make
anything out Of them," he answered, rising
slowly.
'My boy, it is most important-qu for
tune for you! Your poor mother never knew
Of it" were the words Constance heard as
she sat idly in her low chair near the fire.
"The papers are worth two thousand year
The rascal who kept them back would give
something to know where they are now!"
chuckled the old baronet, as hespread out the
cracking letters and a large sheet of parch-
ment on the table, the butler meanwhile ar
ranging reading lamp to suit his master in so
leisurely manner as to call forth an impa-
tient exclamation of "That will dol that
will dol"
Simmons respectfully took the hint, and
now busted himself with the heavy curtains,
having noiselessly closed the shutters.
"There is a shocking draught," murmured
Miss Dorothy. "Don't you feel it, Con-
stance?"
"Not bit" replied Constance, laughing,
as she rose to get her work-basket; "but the
wind will get in such night as this"
Simmons retired, and Archie observed:
"Pm awfully glad that fellow is leaving
he walks like cat"
"Indeed," cried Miss Dorothy, ENORMOUSLY.
IT think your father does wrong to part
! with him; we have never had so quiet SER
want"
"Never mind the man-attend to mel" cried
| Sir Andrew. "You must particularly try to
remember this" Archie, only outwardly lis
tening, was exhibiting some of those provok-
ing symptoms which lover shows after there
has been cloud in the atmosphere, and the
lady has managed to get the best of it.
Constance Gwyn seemed to remember
something, and left the room. When she re-
turned after a quarter of an hours absence
the butler had entered with tray of glasses
and the requisites for Sir Andrews might
cap" of whisky toddy. The baronet folded
the papers into a neat bundle, and locked
! them in an old-fashioned cabinet.
"They will be safe here tonight: to-mor-
row will take them to the lawyer'sn he
said, placing the key in his pocket Then
! turning to his ward he inquired, 'How is
! Gelert, fair ladyp
II don't think he is well, Sir Andrew. I've
just been to see him."
"Constancel" cried Miss Dorothy, scandal
lied, '"Have you been out to the dog kennel
at this hour, and on such night?"
"Yes, Miss Dorothy-and it is much too
cold for the poor fellow to be left out thereln
"Now, my loveln deprecated the old lady.
waving one delicate hand in token that her
will was law, "never mention the idea of
bringing that enormous dog into the house u
The ghost of pout came into Constance,s
sweet face.
"There, there" said Sir Andrew, merrily:
| don't fret, Constance. Gelert shall have a
skilled physician tomorrow, if you think him
i'll. shouldn't mind his coming into the
| 1,+
shrugged his shoulders.
"Archie," softly whispered the girl, as he
lit her candle for her, twill you see Gelert?n
and she raised her beautiful gray eyes ap-
pealingly to his. A merry look of triumph
passed over his face
Eyes, if you promise not to play chess with
the curate tomorrow"
"Oh, don't be silly If you think Gelert is
i'll, bring him in."
I'LL or well, I'll send him to your room in
half an hour, if you'll say goodnight civilly,n
! at the same time drawing his fance behind a.
tall screen for silent embrace. which sent
her away blushing.
| II.
| A bright fire burned in Constance Owns
bedroom. She put on her dressing-gown,
and dismissed her maid as soon as the latter
| had received Gelert from Archie Gordon's
hands and brought him to his mistress. The
dog was only seeking company, and not i'll.
J He looked the picture of contentment as he
| lay at Constance's feet and she, feeling
wakeful, sat quietly reading-though BE-
tween the page and her eyes came up Arches
| face.
The house had long been still, when the
clock in the corridor struck one. Gelert at
the moment raised his huge head and listened
attentively. Constance closed her book, and
wondered why the dog still kept his intent
look; it made her slightly nervous, and she
began to listen too. Certainly there was q