St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-07

either appelatiOn, equally at your COM
mand. But now | must ask of your
dreSSing-bag the same introduction fur
niShed by my hat-bOX, and learn by
what name can address my travelling
incognita when | meet her again at the
Towers" He quietly bent over the flap
of Jessca'S neat Russia leather bag, but
saw only the letters u. M. S."
"Ah," he said, "the same initials as
mine;' then, interrogatiyely, They
spell?"
"Jessica Montgomery Swift"
A dead silence followed. JeSSica lay
| back against the cushions motionless,
with a crimson flush on her cheeks and
forehead. Capt. Swift felt that some
painful mystery was about to be dis
Closed, and that the woman by his side
was gathering strength for great eff
fort. He generously repreSSed every
sign of curiosity and establishment, and
waited her pleasure.
After a few moments she turned to-
ward him and spoke slowly and kesi-
tatingly.
~ throw myself upon your mercy,
Capt. Swift; do not deny publicly to-
morrow that you ever were married to
JesSiea Wynne. Do not pursue those
who originated that-libel. Give me
time. | assure you that | will do my
utmost to undo what have done"
She looked very young and fair, with
her earnest eyes and moist laShes.
"What have you done?" he said, simply.
"Listen to me, and forgive me if you
can. When | first came to London, at
eighteen, found it horrid place: only
married women We're admired, petted
and courted-We girls were nowhere.
SO made up my mind to come back to
toWn-married; and as | had not a huS-
band handy-they are so scarce, you
know invented one. | thought |
was quite safe. | wanted him to be an
officer, because England has such lot
OF troops in places people never go to.
| looked all over the army and navy
lists to make sure | did not choose a
name belonging to any living man; L
christened him Montgomery Swift,
haphaZard; put the paragraphs in the
papers. He was very likely sort of
husband to have, you know, and it
seems 50 natural that he should forever
be among the savages-anywhere.
Nobody seemed to care about him at
all; but they did for his wife simply
because she was not girl, and it was
all working beautifully. Oh, why did
you turn up? Why did you have
Swift for godfather? Why did he die?'
"Would it have suited you to keep up
this farce much longer?" said Capt.
Swift gravely, but an amused look
passed in his eyes.
"Only a little WHILE" said JeSsica,
promptly. Il intended becoming
widow very soon-some of the climates
would have asked any questions. One
accepts anything in London when it is
convenient to be credulous; but if you
are that horrid man please don't expose
me yet"
'Not till / am dead, eh?'
II can't make him out dead now"
she said petulantly; ''but | will go
away, hide myself, never show my face
again."
THAT would be a pity; there must
be some other way TO achieve widow
hood"
"Don't be cruel. 1t is dreadful! and
| know have been very foolish. But
really" she added, With a resumption
of her old quaint coquetry, 81 can't do
more than ask your pardon"
Yes you can; you can ask for my
advice" he said, extending his hand,
and, on my honor as gentleman, | will
help you to get out of this serape."
Iney talked low anu earnestly IOr lHe
remainder of the journey. AT Edln-
burgh they shook hands warmly and
parted. But neither Jessica nor Capt.
Swift went 10 the Towers. Two sep
arate kilograms informed Mrs. Bellune
that her expected guests were unayoid-
ably prevented from joining her party;
nor did Mrs. Montgomery Swift again
gladden. the hearts of her faithful
SWANS by her presence at the fashion
able resorts OF late summer or early
autumn.
looking as fresh. crisp and fair as before
her first disastrous London campaign,