The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-09-08

him alone with the two high desks
and the leather-scented law books,
and the lights and shadows playing
on the floor from the door and
window.
He was sorting out his possessions
half an hour afterward, when Harry
Belt came into the room.
well. old fellow" he said, trying
to smile greeting as the handsome
young law student entered, s.shall
offer you my congratulations
''No," said Belt shortly, pulling at
his long mustache and throwing him
self into the leather-covered arm
chair.
''HaHo! She hasn't"
Eyes, she has!'
"Refused you?"
"Exactlyr'
Leslie stared in blank amazement.
The idea that any woman in her
sober senses could refuse Harry Belt
had never in the course of his wild
est speculaGions entered his brain.
''Did she give any reason, Belt?"
''She didn't want to at first, but
pressed her rather closely and then
she owned up there was some other
fellow she liked better. Confound
him, say T."
The young Apollo with the straight
nose and the blue-black hair was evil
IDENTIFY out of temper. Philip Leslie
looked at him with dreamy, misty
light in his frank brown eyes and a
curious culver about his lip.
you're wrong there, Harry Belt.
If there's any man that is worthy of
Gertrude Wares love and has won
her heart. should be the last to
grudge him the treasure he will pos
sess. say God speed him and keep
him to cherish her as she deserves. :"
All that night Philip Leslie lay
awake watching the faint starlight
creep along his wall, and listening to
the voiceful silence of the mid-sum-
mer night And when it was day.
light he rose and prepared for the
long journey that was to take him
away from Gertrude Ware.
Gerty had not got out her morning
sewing when Philip came in to bid
her good-by. She was busting the
piano with small, rainbow-tinted
feather duster-a dainty piece of
work which she liked doing and gen.
orally took some time about.
"Gerty-I have come to tell you
good-by!"
She stood leaning up against the
piano, looking like fair, dropping
lily, with the bright, feather brush
in her hand.
philip, are you going away from
us?"
EYES," said Philip. speaking
bravely and trying to keep the Grim
son from his cheeks.
"Why?"
''Gerty," said the young man, sim
ply, Harry Belt and I both loved
you very dearly-loved you as man
loves the woman he would fain make
his wife. You knew this before YES
terday?"
Il suspected it.
She spoke very low, with her fair
head still dropping and the curls ly-
ing on her shoulders like motionless
coils of gold.
Every we'll, Gertrude; when Harry
Belt spoke to you last evening and
you told him that you had given to
another the treasure we both COW
eted-your heart, Gerty-I felt that
could not dwell under the same
roof So. Gerry, am going to turn
pilgrim once again; will you bid me
good speed?"
"Philip," said Gerry. playing ner-
vously with her bright.colored
plumes, "did Harry tell you who il
was liked best?"
mo, Gerry"
II did not tell himr'
Leslie stood silently holding her
hand in his and looking down into
her averted eyes, but he did not
speak.
"Shall tell you who it was, Phil
ip?"
'If you please, Gerty."
He felt that he would rather not
hear his rivals name. yet he could
hardly refuse her proffered conf
dence.
'.Phil-can't you guess?''
"No."
She laughed and, flushed and stood
on tiptoe to whisper. and then shook
her curls impatiently.
''Stoop down. you great tall giant!
how can l reach your carp"
He stopped, still holding her hand
and instinctively dreading to hear
the name spoken.
''Philip-it is"
''Well?" for she had stopped with
; her coral lips close to his ear.
"You. Philip"
He started back. with the blood
mounting to his very temples.
'Gerty. you would not be so cruel
as to joke upon-upon such q SUBJ
ject!'
Il am quite in earnest, Phil!''
''But, Gerry, am clumsy and
awkward and"
81 know it," she answered, de-
murely.
land yet you care for me?"
'.And yet I love you with my
whole heart! Oh, Phil, you are
worth q dozen Harry Belts!'