St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-21


been discharged from the Evening Star
Office rendered her life hard. and her efforts
almost futile. Finally, in desperation, she
left her wretched home, and renting small
room. began to struggle against fate aud
poverty with no weapon but her pen.
She had been fighting the battle whole
year. In all that time she had found but one
being who really seemed TO feel an unselfsh
friendship for her. People were so full OF
their own joys and sorrows they had no
time 10 think of one poor girl. who. with
thousands Of Others, was struggling with
the wolf Of poverty.
But Walter Branley had proven himself
her friend oy score of kind acts. Their
meeting had been somewhat romantic: he
had rescued her from under the feet of a
runaway horse one day in the early autumn
and carried her To her humble lodgings. He
interested himself in her welfare immedi-
ately and won her confidence and gratitude
by attentions as delicate as thoughtful
Her eyes hlled with tears as she thought it
all oyer-the one green spot in her desert
Of life just then boy brought her
note from him.
Dear Aileen," she read. ''this is sad
day for you, know, because YOU have
heard Of the failure of the Record. Never
mind. dear girl. love you, and l have de-
termined 10 give you the happiest Christ
mas of your life. We will forget everything
but our love, for am sure you do love me.
Aileen. | shall call for you tonight az 5
o'clock to take you 10 pleasant apartments l
have prepared for you. Be happy and
cheerful and trust yourself TO your impa-
tient lover. Walter.
As Aileen finished the letter she fell on
her knees sObbing wildly. 20 GOdi l
thank theer' she cried; he loves ME. At
last some one loves me- Thank GOdI
Thank God" And the angels covered
their eyes and wept in pity while they lis
tened.
Maud made her purchases for Christmas
with more delight than she had experienced
for years; and she drove 10 Christmas
home al the appointed hour with a heart
full or childish glee in the thought OF the
pleasure she was about To confer. AS she
CROPPED her way up the dark stairway that
led 70 Aileen'S room. walking on tiptOe 10
make no noise. she did not see the figure of
man standing on the landing above, and
she did not hear his light tap upon the
door. Consequently she was overcome
with confusion when the door opened be-
fore she could give her prearranged signal.
and the light from within screamed out
upon the face Of-FTank Weber her lover,
Christina had been detained below with
her invalid child. who was more than
usually i'll; Aileen was alone and she spTang
forward with glad cry 10 the outstretched
arms Of her lover. when she suddenly
caught sight OF Maud. The young man saw
her glance and turned 10 face his prom
iSej bride.
Great God! how came yOu here9r he
cried fercely, the brutal temper she had
never before seen flaming out and diStort-
ing his handsome features. Il can tell
you. girl, at once and forever. am not a
man To be followed and watched. / wont
have any woman spying on my actions"
Frank! Frank, what have / dOne-what
do you mean?" cried Maud, frightened at
his voice and face.
Prank repeated Aileen, wonderingly.
WHO, Mr. Branley-Walter, who is this
woman. and what does all this mean?"
4 sudden recollection of something Chris
tina once said of danger which menaced
Aileen flashed into Maud's distorted mind.
making the cruel truth plain 10 her. She
threw an arm about Aileen's waist and her
voice was very calm "a she answered:
1t means. dear, that the man You see
standing there is Frank Weber by name.
and he. was my plighted husband few mo-
ments ago; he is nothing to me now. but
he is your worst enemy. Thank God. l
cane in time To save both our lives from
the ruin he would have made of them"
Frank Wiener turned away with q NUT
tered curse. and as he went Christina APP
peared upon the scene. Aileen was wildly
sObbng.
''Will YOU bring those parcels back to the
carriage?" Maud said quietly. II am go
ing To take Aiieen home with me, Chris
tina" But instead of Obeying, Christina
reached out her brawny arms just in time
10 save tine inanimate form of Miss Maud
from contact with the floor.
She was III for mOnths-the blow was so
sudden and So cruel. But to-day. as she
and Allen sit in their sheltered homes.
both anchored in the haven of true hearts,
they know it was an angels whisper that
saved them from lives of misery.