The Globe-republican., 1890-07-23

panion. and beheld upon her coun
tenance an expression which at once ex
planned the situation. She looked .:
no woman ever does except when she's
either sea sick or in love. A honeymoon
smile of the most aggravated type
transformed her rather comely face into
the familiar mask of imbecility; and
not even the blank stare with which he
met her upturned eyes, moved her to
modify q single detail of her ridiculous
grimace.
''She must be crazy, too" he thought,
with a shudder; unconsciously mold
ing the phrase Of his idea to fit the pop
ular Judgment regarding his own
mental condition. Poor girl; her dis
appointment has turned her brain"
She steered him into side street;
and just as he was trying to think Of a
delicate way in which he could urge her
to discontinue looking at him in that
disquieting fashion, she paused before a
| gate and said:
''This is the minister's house. the
Rev Mr.. Knowles, the man who married
US, you know"
| There was painful ambiguity about
her words which perplexed Drane to
such an extent that servant had ush-
| cred them handily into the good pastors
| study before he recovered his selt-pos-
session.
A venerable gentleman rose from .
| large chair, and greeted them with cour-
| tesy.
"You remember me, don't you?" said
the girl, before Drano could open his
| mouth. 'I'm Nellie Blake, or was be-
| fore you married me to Mr. Drane, las:
Tuesday"
She simpered in 4 most distressing
| way and looked up at Dranc. he felt
his hair stirring at the roots for he saw
now that lunacy was the only cxplana-
ton of the girls conduct.
II ought to explain" he began.
But the minister stopped him with a
wave of the hand.
mo explanation is required, Mr..
Drane," said he. Il remember you per-
fectly, and do trust that nothing has
happened in this short space to mar the
happiness which sincerely wished you
when l made you one"
but my dear sir" cried Drane, in
horror. Nellie interrupted him with a
Giggle.
''You see, sir, it isn't really much OF
any thing" she said, land perhaps we
ought not to have bothered you about it:
but the truth is I've lost the certificate
you gave me. I'm just as stupid as can
be, but can't help it."
''Oh! if that is all
''Dut it isn't all. 1t isn't half of it,"
Drane exclaimed. The truth is"
Now, you naughty boy" cried Nellie,
putting her hand playfully over his
mouth, IL Shan't let you go on this
way"
''Some trifling disagreement" said the
Row. Mr.. Knowles, smiling good-natured
ly. 81 have no doubt that it can be re-
paired as easily as the loss Of the GER
tificate.''
''Sir," said Dranc, breaking loose from
the restraining hand, Il assure you that
it is your duty to"
''And l assure you, sir" said the old
clergyman. with dignity, that it is
your duty, as it is your privilege, and
should be your delight. to be ever kind.
forbearing and gentle with the woman
who has given you the honest affection
Of her heart, and whose hand joined
with yours in this very room. Look at
her now"
Nellie had fallen upon sofa and was
sobbing with Industrious vigor. You
have brought tears to her eyes" Nellie
chief. ''She might faint with the disap-
pointment at your very feet!
Nellie began to faint with rigid de-
termination which alarmed Drane, and |
called forth more remonstranceS from |
tho kind-hearted old man. Together
they made her comfortable upon the |
sofa and famed her till there was |
small cyclone in tho study. When she |
was quiet Drane saw his opportunity, |
and, in q voice as calm as he could make |
it, be said:
My dear sir. you are wholly mistaken
in this matter. am not the man who |
married this young woman. and / have
never had the pleasure Of seeing either |
her or yourself before to-day"
do you mean to say that she doesn't |
know her own husband?" asked tho |
reverend gentleman, with great sur
prise. This is preposterous.
'She knows perfectly well that am
not her husband" said Drane. .'For
some purpose of her own she has lured
me here, and has claimed me before
you. and you have pretended to recog-
ni.e ne. But for the honesty that read
in your face. sir, should be tempted to
say that this was all great conspiracy
10 entrap me-"
Young man." said Rev. Mr.. Knowles.
with deep severity, Il never forget a
face. knew you by your necktie!"
1t was the one article of conspicuous
apparel which he had retained since
the first exchange with the tramp in
the Turkish bath. He cursed it in his
soul.
But look at me more closely; look
in to my facet" he exclaimed.
Rev. Mr.. Knowles pulled a pair of
spectacles down from his forehead and
approached Drane with grim de-
to make sure of him writ
ten all over his usually benign coun-
,enance. Drane lifted up his head and