St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-24

"MissFerris, allow me to introduce to
you Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone be-
meath the stars at Monte Carlo, now
they were amid fashionable London
crowd and she was in evening dress,
with diamonds sparkling at her throat
and in her hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
questioning, perpleXed; then there was
a fash of recognition, and he saw she
knew.
"Will you take me to the conserva-
tory, Mr.. Landeck! 1t is so warm
here"
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed glass where the palms
and lilies grew.
You have not forgotten, them! 1t
was his voice, low and tremulouS, which
broke the silence.
mo; nor you, it seems"
"There are moments in mans life
which he never forgets. That was one
Of them. Do you know | have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again, but l dared not indulge hope
until this evening, when for the first
time | learned your name. Miss Ferris,
shall we sit down for awhile? Wait, let
ia llllU ChoiilOll iOl yNNis N.I WI
grateful for this opportunity of speak
ing to you alone. [ Want-l want to re-
turn to you with many thanks the gift
you gave me five years ago. All, don't
say no. The obligation under which
you placed me shall none the less exist.
And-and L shall always keep the little
purSe-alWayS-in remembrance of that
highland you"
Fortune has evidently favored you
SINCE" she said after pause.
Yes. fortune has indeed favored me.
Miss Ferris, your gift was like the en-
chanted purses i'll the children's fairy
es-bottomleSS. 1t enabled me to
reach the Transvaal gold fields. l
worked hard there; l saved a'little; by
and by l specuated much. Sometimes
people grow rich there in a month";
week. | was one of them. Whatever
| touched seemed to turn to gold; what
ever did was right. Money came to
me IN thousands, tens of thousands.
hundreds even. On the day sailed
from Cape Town, three weeks ago,
| was one of the richest men in
South Africa, and if it had not been for
you should be lying in suicides
grave"
Something glistened on her lashes.
She dropped hes eyes and toyed with
the feathers of her fan.
Il am so glad, so very glad, you have
succeeded"
His gaze fingered on the subtle out
line OF her figure, the curve of her full
white throat and cheek, the brown hair
with the threads of gold which waved
and curved about her brow and cheek.
And you"-his voice sank lower still
-"yOu have not married?"
mo, as you see. But it is probable
that | shall lose my freedom soon."
"Does that mean that you are en-
gaged?"
at means that Lord Hythe proposed
to me by letter this morning, and that
am to give him his answer tonight"
"And is 1t to be yesn"
She laughed little.
''DO you know that is very strange
question to put OH so short an acquaint-
ance and that our conversation is be-
coming unusual in the extreme. Mr..
Landeck, you seem to forget that we
were introduced only half an hour ago?"
"YOu we're present at the NEST solemn
moment of my existence. Let me a
little behind the scenes of your own
life," he urged.
She hesitated, and cast rapid glance
at him. Her lips, quivering as with
some hidden emotion. strove to smile.
1--WE seem fated to have strange con-
fidences. you and l." she said, and
laughed uncertainty. eff you are very
curious to knoW-it is yes shall &C
cept him."
Perhaps it was only fancy or the flick
ering of the lamps, but it seemed as
though sudden spasm crossed his face,
born of disappointment or of pain.
You care for him, of cUursew
An uncomfortable impulse moved the