The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-11


his. Few would have called so slight
touch caress, but it was such to us,
who, by adverse circumstances, were
FORCED TO appear miSers of our love,
and hoard Its tokens closely within
the vaults of our own breasts.
You shall yourself set the time
AFTER Allan is married" 1 whispered,
ana granted him no more. Nay, I
resolutely turned from his side and
wandered back to where the children
sat, pretending to hold formal con-
verse, but betraying their intimacy of
heart and soul by every mutual glance
and smile.
Seeing me approach, Lisa drew aside
her dainty skirts--she was a delicious
dream OF youth and beauty in a misty
robe of embroidered India muslin, Wi h
great bunch of blue forget-me-nots,
which matched her eyes, thrust into
the bosom of her gown, and her gold =
en- hair falling in two heavy braids to
her waist. Ever since she first came
into his life her lover, her husband
now, has made a daily appeal to her
memory through cluster Of the bios
SONS which, he says, most resemble
her. Indeed, he has fallen into the
habit OF calling her Myosotis instead
OF Lisa, in accordance with that COM
mon impulse among lovers, which
moves each to appropriate to his ex-
elusive use some special designation VI
his mistress.
AS 1 sank back upon the lounge be-
side her, Lisa took my hand affection
ately In hers. l observed that the
smooth ivory of her brow was fretted,
and that look of perplexity troubled
her glance. Allan, sitting opposite,
with his dark eyes fixed adoringly
upon her, had yet an expression Of
amused antagonism on his face, and It
no inf
an argument before either side had be-
gun to yield to the force of the other S
reasoning.
What is it?' 1 asked rather to rivet
their attention upon themselves, in
order that L might recover my self
control unobserved of them, than be-
cause I felt any special interest in
their youthful contentious. What
weighty and momentous question are
you two youngsters debating? Whether
it is frivolous act Of self-indulgence
to play with dolls, Lisa, you little con-
Vent-mouse, or whether a great fellow
like you, Allan, should have done with
kites and tops?"
They both laughed and I joined
them. Richard came forward and stood
near us, leaning against the mantel.
L embraced the little group with a
greedy sigh. 1 wished that 1 might
throw a permanent snare about the
four of u.s. to hold those three l loved
in close and constant proximity to my
self. They made my world; in them
centered all my hopes, interests, as
pirations. My calling had fallen from
me like worn out garment, and In
its folds there fingered few tender as
sociations to make me reluctant to
relinquish it,
"Give me these three dear ones, For
tune" cried inwardly, land 1 will ask
no more of you" And 1 rejoiced in my
heart for it seemed that my desire
was to be granted me. Let who will
believe in premonitions and impress
sions; henceforth 1 abjure all faith in
them. AS I drew Richard Quintard
and his son and my Lisa into the
fulness of my love through my yearn-
ing eyes, 1 was in that moment firmly
and absolutely convinced that my deS-
tiny lay plain and straight and smooth
before me, that the crown of my life
was well-nigh prepared, and that but
a slight interval must still elapse be-
fore it should be placed by the hands
of the man 1 loved upon my waiting
brow. And yet there stood, even then,
upon the very threshold Of this assur-
ance, the grim spectre of ruin and
disappointment.
1t is my nature, as 1 have before OBJ
served, to give way to my feelings,
now, happier than 1 had ever been
in my life before, 1 could not restrain
a little chuckle of contentment. 1t
was the bubbling to the surface of that
spring of assured joy which had us
source in the fondest anticipations [
had ever formed. Lisa, observing it's
significance, smiled at me in SYM
pathy.
What is it, mother dear?" she ques-
toned, patting the hand that lay in
hers.
Nothing" I returned laughing at
my own childishness. Il am so happy
that's ALL
All three smiled at my words. Graver
they all were than l. Indeed, none
among them had ever been in his life
so youthful as I was at that instant;
for those of gay and volatile nature
like myself possess even in extreme
old age a juvenescence which less Spon-
taneOus tempera msnts never eXper.enc
I shall carry the spirit of my childhood
to my grave; it died in them almost
before they recognized it. They were
accustomed to my impulsiveness, and
were constantly, as now, making
amused and indulgent concessions to
it.
1 pretended to take offence at their
treatment of my mood, and, pouting
drew my brows together in a froWn
of assumed annoyance.
"Hold!' [ cried; lis content a fit
subject for derision? Have any Of
you such an excess of it that you can
afford to make light of my apprecia-
ton of it? Why, but an instant ago.
you children both looked as serious
as if joy had no place in the world
and now you jeer at me for boasting
a share thereof. Is it because you have
no ability to comprehend my mood
that you despise it, or does the grave
nature of your late debate cast tenn
porary shadow over all your reflections
Let me hear what you were discussing,
and L will decice as to whether
it should be suffered to
eclipse the sunshine of this
hour Pray, what was the profound
problem with which you baby philoso-
pliers were engaged?'
We were all smiling when I put the
question. When Allan made his re-
Spouse no face that was not grave re-
manned in the group. His very voice
sounded strangely altered as he said,