The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-27
CHAPTER X.

he next morning. A terrible weight
IF oppression had fallen from my spir-
is, leaving me a different creature
srom the sadly preoccupied and wretch
ed woman who had of late been drag
ging YEARLY through a round of dreary
duties and pleasureless designations. /
called little Jean into my chamber and
babe her sit on the foot Of the bed while
related the history of the events of
the previous day, for I felt the need
of unbosoming myself to someone, and
more sympathetic confidant than the
enthusiastic and warm-hearted Scotch
lassie could not be desired.
She followed my recital with as much
interest as if my experiences directly
concerned herself and her homely lit
tie face was a very panorama Of varied
emotions. Her amazement when I in
formed her Of the fact of Picot's rela-
tionship to me was quite as great as
that of Richard Quintard. She had
seen my father on various occasions,
and had formed a prejudice against
him which dated from our brief resi-
dence in the Quintard household. She
had frequently expressed her dislike Of
Coello had done, not to associate my
self in any way with him. She had
known that he was the recipient Of my
charity and had deprecated the fact,
though, until now, she had been ig-
norant Of my reasons for relieving him.
Now she shook her wise head grave
ly, and wished-not that the man were
dead-oh, no! she was far too devout a
Presbyterian to harbour such a wicked
desire-but that an All-Wise Provi-
dence might see fit mercifully to re-
move him from our midst
81 have a feeling that he will do you
an injury" she said. II wish he would
go back to Paris" Her expression was
so anxious and foreboding that 1 could
not help laughing q was so easily pro-
voked to mirth that day., although, at
the same time, I was forcibly remind
I'd Of the words Of that other we'll
Wisher Of mine, concerning the same
person. Have nothing to do with him.
Pepita," poor Coello had been wont to
nrge; II do not trust him. He has
the evil eye for you"
But no bird of ill-omen could affect
me that morning. My whole soul was
'rlght and buoyant with hope and ex-
uItation, and no cloud Of any sort could
darken in any degree the fair prospect
the future offered me- At noon came
20 me huge box Of splendid Bride
roses and in their midst rested an en-
FeIope containing a card. These words
we're on 1t:
cannot assure myself that YOU have ouite
hold
Or the future. I am going tonight to see
gu wish to obliterate any impression thai
1csely aSperses you, and shall go this even
remembering that am to look upon YOU
IS the artist, not as the woman. If YOU are
III disposed to regard me with unmerited
'rbearance, will you wear somewhere about
"a d IOSe Oh my choosing? Ever faithfully
''urS, Richard Elton Quintard
flushed like nervous SCHOOLGIRL
pom reading this message. Had the
arnlng come earlier I would have
hanged the bill for that night. and
would have appeared before him in
- role that should in no manner .cha1-
'enge his criticism. And yet. on sec
ma thoughts, l was glad that an on
ortunlty TO do this was forbidden bv
ne lateness Of the hour, for my pride
'ade me remain firm in the conscious
oess OF my own purity of intention
nd purposely to have assumed differ
mt apparel would have looked like
2cit admission Of culpability. Yet the
Ugh value placed on his good oninion
nd my craving to fulfil in every mar
GUAR the measure Of his ideal. made
',e somewhat impatient with fate that
had not cast different programme
II that night ''The Queen of Hearts"
al oeen a great popular hit. and #
al peen considered unwise to with
raw 1t during its profitable run
My high spirits lasted we'll info The
"fternoon and gave me back that fool
.Tg of youthful elasticity which of lat
nau so sorely missed. Jean and 1 had
delightful drive IN the park, and the
'"esh air poured new vigor into nv
Feins
AS usual, Of late Allan made a third
dinner, and I noticed about him the
me unwonted depression that had
;aracterised him upon the previous
'"ening. After the meal was over and
nile Jean was getting our wraps TO-
ether, L remained with him as he
'aoked his cigarette and coaxed from
m some details Of the stormy inter-
eW that had taken place between
.Ilself and his mother the day before.
managed the conversation skilfully.
mat L think he is not even now
ware how much he disclosed regard
g his mothers antipathy towards mo
1t became evident to me from his hit-
'rIy-eXpressed remarks that his father
M himself had long suffered for their
flendship with me. I had no doubt
rom what he let fall that Mrs. Ouin-
ard had done all in her power. with
cut scruple or hesitation, to poison
re minds Of both men against me-
That of the elder, being more worldly
wise and SO less invulnerable had been
7mewhat affected by her malicious
'alumnies; but the honest frank, I'M
'1Splclous nature Of the lad had re-
Used to harbOr an evil thought re-
riding the woman whom, in his boy
II fancy, he believed he loved I have
yer felt more honored in my life than
hen 1 perceived through his inadyer-
mt admission in what high and i'm
arVious esteem his young sou, held
2 Thank God I merited it; else I
ink / should have died from very
>''ame
could see from his illusions to her,
sen in the very way in which he spoke
h'sr name, that the mother had done
rself grievous harm in her sons eyes.
e had gone the wrong way to work
- accomplish her aims, and her siam
of me had been a sort Of verbal
omerang, which had returned to In
re the hand that had projected it.
did not blame her that attrih11tipp RI