The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-27

in which my picture had been for SO many
months. but empty now on the corner of
the mantel; the large photograph Of ST.
Cecilia looking heavenward, as we had so
often told each other we always felt when
we were together; the two big friendly
chairs inviting each other to come nearer
which we always sat in when l first came
In the evening, and the snug little sofa in
the corner that was always my point Of de-
parture when / told her good night, and
went my way back to my own cherries
apartments in a homeless boarding house
I looked at them all, and as the drowning
man sees all his sins before him, so did l
see all these things twice over, and multi
piled by thousand as the greatest bless
ings Of my life. Then I shut my eyes. I
couldn't help 1t. My head felt as if doz-
en- sets of lungs had got into it and were
doing expansion turns for prize.
! opened my eyes suddenly at the sound
of a voice.
Mother told me you wished to see me-"
it said, as chilly as if 1t had been left out
over night in the frost.
''Oh, XII" l began, as I stood up be-
fore her. Il beg your PARDON I contin-
ued. "your mother was quite right. did
wish to you.''
Il can scarcely understand why" she
went on, latter what occurred last night.
STILL you may be able to explain, and / am
willing to listen, at least for few min
utes, as have an engagement" she added,
WIFI the IdlnleSL KIM Oh smile.
1t was such a miserably mean little smile,
I thought, that it was ashamed to show
itself openly.
ooh, don't let me detain you," tried to
say with biting sarcasm, but l only bit ray
tongue in saying it.
II shall not" she replied "When am
ready to go l will let you know. PRAY. be
seated" and she waved me to my chair
again, taking one of our-"our'-think of
that-big chairs and nesting down in it so
cozily that I wanted to throw a book at
her.
I really wanted to throw myself at her,
but had never dared to do that, and this
was scarcely an appropriate time to begin.
Il presume" said, your engagement
Is with that Mr.. Kilmer, and my presence
here is an intrusion.
Kilmer had been the cause of the trouble
the night before, and Kilmer was such a
good fellow generally that I couldn't help
but wish that he had died several years
before with the cholera, or some Of the
other epidemics which visit our shores and
carry away so many excellent people.
"Oh, no." she said, mo intrusion at all
AT least, not yet. He was here this morn
ing and told me he would not be around
again until o'clock
She looked up at the pretty brass clock I
had given her. Both its tiny hands were
clasping the figure 8. Three-quarters of
an hour, and a whole lifetime thereafter!
isn't 1t enough that you should have
killed me-" I said, without being SO eager
to cut me up?"
Il was merely defending a friend" she
retorted.
And you claim Kilmer as a friend?''
Il certainly do. Isn't he friend of
yours?''
mot at all. If he were, he would not
have interfered with my happiness as he
has DONE"
II beg your pardon" he said. Il didn't
know he had"
Didn't I tell you last night he was a
scoundrel, intent only upon separating US?
I asked hotly..
"And didn't tell you that would permit
no friend Of mine to be called a scoundrel
by any one without resenting it to the ut
most?" she replied.
"But did call him that" insisted.
EYES, and what good did 1t do your she
said, stepping to the mantel and holding out
the empty frame in which my picture had
formerly been the attraction.
s.FIis will take the place Of the former
occupant" said, scornfully.
s'Tiis or another's?" she responded, and
actually giggled.
a giggie from girl Is dreadful enough