St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-22
AN EXPERIENCE.

age to exist during the separation, | guess.
So 'Good-by, my sweetheart, good-by.'"
| So spoke Robert Fanshaw to his fiance,
Gertrude Seville, one evening in December.
''All right merrily responded Gertie.
''Be sure that he departs with good impress,
sion of a-and, L say, Bob, don't forget to
show him M-ville and other like inter
| osting places"
With bright laugh they parted-parted,
neither having any misgiving that before a
week should pass each would appear in an
entirely different light.
The first train from the west on Monday
morning brought Harry Rogers to his i'll
tended destination.
Robert was awaiting his arrival, and could
hardly realize that the few years intervening
since last he had seen his cousin could have
so transformed him into the fine, manly
figure he saw before him.
''Ah, Harry, old boy, glad to see you
couldn't have selected a better time for COM
ing, for if there's any life in this old town
it's now and the finest sleighing? Jump
in, and we'll give it test home.
''And now, Hal, l say, Hal, what's the
news OUT w cSJ.' fOrlnWlln the TWO entered
into conversation.
But short time had passed before there
crept into the conversation illusions to ''her''
''she," and it was evident tow ard what sub
ject they were drifting. At last Robert ex-
claimed:
"Ah, Hal, you ought to Eknow her, and in
deed you shall, for Gertle will be delighted to
welcome YOU"
Just then they arrived at ''Willow Brook
farm and big and little trooped out to see
Cousin ''Hal," as he was familiary dubbed
Pleasures quickly followed one another,
making the time pass too quickly for the
time had nearly arrived when Harry should
return home. by the way,' said Hal, one
day before his intended departure, lam
never to get sight of your fair inamorata! Do
you fear I'll prove Lochinvar and carry her
to the wild West!''
''To tell the truth, would have been a
little uneasy on that score had l not known
that Gertie was a little fastidious. But, iolz-
ing aside, here is copy of Il note I sent her
by a messenger boy on the day of your ar
rival:
H, Dec. IA, 'S3. Dear Gertie: Harry
has just arrived. l nave decided to take him
to Willow Brook farm this evening, and
country cousins"
If perfectly agreeable and convenient to
you, we will spend the evening OF Dee. %
at your home. Be sure and let me know
Immediately if you have any other engage
ment in order that may alter my plans and
appoint another evening. AS ever,
ROBERT.
''SOyou see, my boy, everything is all
right, for have received no reply, and
Gertie is very punctual. | can always rely
upon her. Eli, Hal"'
eyes, | know all about il; have had some
experience myself, You know. Fact is, Rob,
there's some one waiting to make me a
happy man when / go homc.'
''My best wishes, old boy; and say, Ger
ties father is a first-class checker-player l
know you would enjoy playing with him, and
well, / say, you know 1 have not seen her
web, for week; understand
''Oh, yes, to be sure, III make that all
right" The next morning, as Robert and
Harry were sitting in the office, they were
startled by the violent ringing of the tele-
phone bell.
Bob, you're in for it now. / warrant it's
some old woman who would like to flourish
broomstick in your direction for not attend
ing to her order"
'Hello! :"
''Helol Is that you, Bob?i
''Oh, Gertie, what is it?''
81 have not heard from you; where have
you been:"
'.Why, out of the city. But, say, you
know we're coming up to-night!'
Pm going to reception"
Well, this was poser. On the impulse Of
the moment Robert angrily put up the mouth
piece. Here were his fondest anticipatious
dashed to the ground, but with wonderful
control of the will he calmly replied:
GAN right; we'll make just short call"
Then, turning to Harry:
''Wel, l can't understand it, Gertic
seems to have an engagement for this even
ing"
Swallowing his notification. Harry put
the best face on the III after he could, simply
for Bob's sake, and replied
''AIl right, Bob, Just the thing; haven't
been to the theater in quite awhile.'
Robert mentally swore eternal allegiance
to his sympathetic cousin.
Eight O'Clock that evening found them In
the parlOr Of Miss Seville's residence.
Gertrude appeared light-hearted, and was
becomingly attired for the reception. Rob-
ert, stern and dignifed thought she had
never appeared so frivolous, and wondered
that she could 50 lightly laugh and converse
after causing him so many mi seivings.
On the other hand, Harry felt wonderfully
i'll at ease, for he thought Miss Gertrude ap-
peared quite excited. In fact, he felt conf
dent she expected an escort, and was fearful
lest a meeting should occur.
Suddenly Gertie noticed the apparent so
cial GOODNESS and was doubly perplexed when
Robert said, az they were about departing,
that he did not know as he should be up ON
tie next evening.
Now was she certain that something had
happened, yet what she could not conjecture.
There was bo opportunity for an explana-
ton, and so they parted-Robert and Harry
gOirg To the theater to see the ''sea Of lee
and to Robert Fanshaw It vas indeed sea,
but sea Of conflicting thought.
The play ended, Robert accompanied
Harry 10 the midnight express and gave him
gOOd-by.
poor fellow" soliIoquized Harry. 'g
fear he has made a mistake, for, If I'm not
greatly deceived, that girls firt and max
ing fool Of Bob.
well, they say matches are made in
heaven, but declare some seem to. POSSESS
considerable birthstone"
In the meantime, the door having closed
upon the two gentlemen, Gertrude rushed
from one conclusion TO another. ~ know
there IS misunderstanding somewhere, but
III make him explain II all. He was angry
this evening, but bis good sense will at last
predominant" So musing, she entered the
carriage and soon arrived at the scene Of
gsyety.
The evening proved that Gertrude had not
hastily judged her lover, for Robert was once
more seated in the parIor Of the Seville resi-