St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-10-10

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beauty. is she not?"
''She is. She is unlike all the women
you have seen, [ know. And [ have set
my heart ON her fancying Frank Ashcroft.
He has flirted with all the bellies and beau
ties of New York for the past six years. |
have asked him here to spend September
Won't that be glowing game of diamond
cut diamond?"
perhaps. I wish you success of your
scheme"
Granville had been month at Rainsford,
in the quiet and suburban home of his aunt,
petted and nursed by his pretty cousin Isa-
bel and lionized by the fair ladies of Am
boy.
The morrow brought Miss Wellington.
There are some persons who impress you
with a subtitle sense of their power afar of.
She brought rare, new atmosphere with
her to Rainsford There had been nothing
so dangerously sweet before.
Horace Granville crimsoned to the fore
head when her soft, cool fingers touched
his-and grew yexed and angry with him
self for shivering when the heavy folds Of
her silk dress swept across his feat.
After that first night Miss Wellington
S6lQOnl noticed Li6uI OTdnNllI6. Ono was
courteous always. but her proud eyes never
softened nor her rich voice trembled when
she spoke to him. She maintained toward
him a sort of queenly high-bred reserve
which he never attempted to overcome.
Frank Ashcroft arrived only two days
after Margaret,
The game began directly. For once, it
was plain to see, Ashcroft was IN earnest.
Ii he did not marry Miss Wellington it
would be through no lack of effort on his
part.
Day by day Ashcroft was by her side;
her companion in rides, walks, excursions
her most devoted cavalier constantly.
The month passed pleasantly swiftly.
Only those hours seem long which are given
to sadness.
On Saturday, Horace Granville was to re-
turn to New York. His wound disabled him
for service, but he had the offer of a lucra-
tive position in the war Office at Washington
and would probably accept. He was with
out fortune-his only income would be his
pension; and now for him manual toll was
out of the question. His expected depart
ure was mentioned among the guests at
Rainsford. All were profuse in their ex-
carnations of regret. All except Miss
Wellington. She politely suppressed a
yawn and challenged Mr.. Ashcroft to a
game of pawns. She was tired of chess,
and music on a night when the crickets
were so jubilant would be out of place.
Ashcroft consented readily, but only on
one condition, he said.
'Name your condition." she said, coldly,
''It is this: pledge myself to perform
whatever penalty you may infct upon me
and L require the same promise from
YOU"
His dark eyes. expressing so much mora
than his words, searched her face-she
knew that he meant to put her to some
test. She hesitated. He laughed taunt-
ingly.
She lifted her eyes-cold. proud, unread
able as those of the Sphinx.
Il make the promise readily, remember
ing that you are gentleman"
He flushed holly.
II will not forget that claim to be-
The company seated themselves. The
game entered upon was the well-knOwn
one of "COuplets." The first player fur
nished line of poetry, to be matched or
rhymed by the next player, and so on.
Failing to make the requisite rhyme, the
delinquent must pay forfeit.
Mr.. Ashcroft sat next to Margaret. AS
she had expected. he gave out line the
last WOfu VI WHICH, ID was lHDOSSlDl0 IO
match. She made no attempt to do so, but
merely said;
well, Mr.. Ashcroft"
''ShaIl say on?''
She grew a little pale-Set her teeth-and
Yes, you may say on"
''And you promise to perform?"
81 have promised"
VERY well. them" He leaned over and
whispered in her ear-the words were to-
tally inaudibIe to the others-but Miss
Wellington heard them distinctIy-''KisS
the man you love best"
She redeemed visibly, and look of pain
came into her eyes.
''Is this fair, Mr.. Ashcroft? -
'Certainly-there was no stipulation in
regard to the nature of the forfeit
You are right. Shall l take my own
timer"
Eyes"
She smiled to herself-Ashcroft half tri-
umphant. babe the game go on. Horace
Granville softly withdrew. For some
reason the sounds of mirth and happiness
grated harshly on his cart was misery for
him to sit there and watch those gay young
faces and listen to the chorus of sweet
voices.
He sought his aunt's private sitting room,
Out IL was udIk. one ndu retired, he
threw himself down on the sofa. The
darkness was pleasant to him. Sometimes
it is to us all.
The silence and utter quiet soothed him,
and he knew not whether lie was dreaming
or awake.
There was soft rustic of garments near
him-the subtitle perfume of vlolets drifted
over his senses, and then touch so slight
it would not have awakened a sIumbering
infant fell on his face.
A wild thrill shot through his veins. ONLY
one woman's kiss-one woman in all the
world-could thrill him thus.
He had his arm about her-drew her
down beside hinl-held her close. He felt
her SILVER in his graSp-he knew that she
was weeping-but he was a man, with all
a mans grand seltishness, and he would
not spare her.
''There is but one woman could move me
thus! Speak to me, my Margaret May I
say mine"
There was no reply. but warm arm
crept around his neck, and for him the
darkness was light.
Il had hoped so little and loved so much!
oh, Margaret" he began.
land will you forgive me, Horace. for
loving you, unasked?"
Forgive you? Do we forgive heaven for
opening to us the golden doors?,'
Mr.. Ashcroft was politely astonshed at
the turn affairs had taken. He left Rains
ford two days after Miss Wellington's be-
trothal was made public. Important BUSH
ness called him to New York.