The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-08


you? They are. just by your elbow
There must be a certain amount Of
trouble in the world, or else we should
never recognize happiness when we
encountered it,"
Il see." said the contented young
person in the basket chair.
And as far as l could judge this
couple I'm speaking of they were ordi-
nary honest working people; but a
taste for quarreling had been cult
waited and fostered until it had become
a habit"
How very horrid?'
1T is deplOrable dearie-most deplor-
able! AS l pointed out to them-these
are very bad wax matches, my dearest
They don't seem to strike at all well. 7"
They are the same kind, Matthew,
that dear papa always used"
Il can't help that, my dear The fact
remains that they are bad matches
l must get some from the stores and
bring down tomorrow"
There is no necessity" said the
young person in the armchair with
some spirit. If they were good enough
for papa
Very we'll, dear. very well. We won't
argue about trifes.'
II don't consider Matthew, that a
reflection on poor papa can by any
stretch of imagination be considered a
trif1e"
las 1 was about to say" interrupted
Mr.. Carthew with an effort, p, there
must be many couples in this England
of ours whose lives are intolerable sim
ply because there is not that"
Poor papa" said young Mrs. Cart
hew, persistently twisting her hand
kerchief up into a chain, poor papa
was always most particular about his
cigars, and a gentleman who knows
a good cigar from a bad one would be
the last person in the world to tolerate
the presence in his house of inferior
was matches" The servant entered the
room; Yes, Mary, you can clear away"
The servant brushed the tablecloth
carefully and leisurely, and the discus
sion for a few minutes was diverted
"Smithers & Co, Of Walbrook," said
Mr.. Carthew Importantly, have been
taking advantage of my big iron safe
today. They have a good deal Of jewel
~ belonging to foreign lady of title
and they asked me If I'd mind it being
placed in my safe until after Christmas.
And / said l should be very pleased,
and this afternoon they carried it round.
Some thousands of pounds worth,
believe. Caused quite a little sensa-
ton"
"Ohr' said Mrs. Carthew, with the
air of one whose mind is occupied on
another subject.
"Of course l told them that they mustn't
hold me responsible legally. but at the same
time, it was only a question of a day or
two, why, l really didn't see how l could
object
"Close the door after you. Mary" said
else, thank you" The door closed and Mrs.
Carthew slipped out of the deep comfortable
basket chair, and sat with exceeding dignity
on a fiat chair the table Il want TO
speak to YOU Mathew - she said.
My dear love-
Il did not like the way in which you re-
ferred to poor papa just now"
But, my dear; l didn t.
Now now" said the young lady severely,
do let us adhere as far possible TO the
Iuth. | don't profess to remember the exact
words that you used, but it's better to speak
out plainly on the subject than to let it rankle
in ones mind
LAS matter Of fact
MY dear papa, as | say, knew good cigar
when he met one. Some people," said young
Mrs. Carthew with great severity-'some
II think that do know good cigar from
bad one."
is thai, why you always smoke bad ones,
may l ask"
to know what this one cost?"
Whatever it cost, Matthew, is no good
reason why you should drop all the ash over
my carpet. 1t is of very little use my buying
ashtrays."
do you happen to know, my DEAR" re-
peated Mr. Carthew, with a great effort to
preserve calm, do you happen, as a matter
of fact, to know what this cigar COST"
II am not ard do not profess to be Judge
Of cigars. replied the young lady shortly,
butt Judging by the way the ash drops all
over the place, / should say it was dear at
any price. Poor papa used to say"
1t is so painful to have to record that Mr.
Carthew interjected here an impetuous re-
mark concerning Mrs. Carthew's papa, that
a chr oIn 40
mint at 1t thus discreetly Young Mrs. Car
thew did. not reply to the remark. Instead
she stood up and rang the bell.
Yes, ma am.''
Light the gas in the spare room, Mary"
Very good, ma am.''
The following day. the oath. was not the
most fortunate day in the life of Mr.. Car
thew. A space Of twenty-four hours comes
10 all now and again when from beginning to
end fate scowls at us. AS the hours go
on one becomes reckless. and there arrives
sense of something like disappointment
when by chance thirty minutes go by with
out the occurrence of something contrary
or disastrous. Mr.. Carthew breakfasted
alone; went up by so from Surbiton station
where the bookstall boy served him with
Morning Leader, in lieu of a Times; entered
hrst non-smoking full Of matrons and
pabes, VINO were going up to the stores to
buy Christmas presents for male relatives:
arrived at st. Swlthin's lane and there in
his capacity of an iron and steel merchant
spent most dstracting day When bust
the
thought of his severe, perturbed and ndig-
nant young wife at THE Glen came to take
It's place. 1t was a relief when S O'Clock
came to be able to send the clerks home.
Going to stay late tonight sir?" asked
the chief clerk respectfully. Long time
since you missed your early train. Thought,
perhaps, being Christmas eve
My work is very much behind hand,
Beecher. l shall stay for an hour or two.''
Shall | stop. too. sir?"
Il would rather be alone
Won't forget the big safe Is omen sir7
You didn't close it just now"
Il won't forget, Beecher. I've taken the
key off my bunch because it wanted clean
ing. Good night. I want to get through
some OF these papers without being dis
turbed'
II see, sir. Good night! And If you'll *
cuse me, | should Ike to wish you the com
Thank you, Beecher Same to you."
Mr.. Beecher, being stopped in St. Swith-
ms lane by well-dressed man and women
who asked If Mr.. Carthew in his office
replied with faithful remembrance of his
masters instructions, that Mr.. Carthew had
gone home hour ago.
We'll, George said the woman resignedly
Well get off ONE now"
Apparently the couple reconsidere1 this later
determination. They stayed for half an nour
in the Bay Tree" and the evening being
then dusk. they came down ST. Swithfn's lana
once more and assembled the steps of No a.
barearmed, kneeling woman was cleaning
the nrst-noor stairs, and Julia engaged her
IN spirited conversation 10 permit of
Georges ascent being unperceived. George
went on. The door of the office opened with
unexpected ease, and George took from re-
tired pocket a small green baiZe roll The
gas had been turned low but not too low to
prevent being visible; ladder stood against
the high shelf that contained Iedgers. and
George, walking gingerly stopped himself
just in time TO avoid going underneath it.
"My world" whispered George GROSSLY
That was near one. About the most un-
luckiest act that 'appen to anyone" He
took off his tweed cap and mopped his fore
head. "A silly thing to go on an leave EN-
about the place like that. One step under
that ladder and ther'd been no luck for NE