The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-18

ment and some confusion in their clear
depths. But he went resolutely on.
Il am going to be quite frank with
you, dear madame" he continued, land
therefore 1 confess that 1 made your
acquaintance in desperate moment,
when l had grown disguised with the
dishonesty Of the so-called respectable
society to which my mother had in
troduced me, and hailed with Satisfac-
ton an opportunity to enter that which
was confeSSedly Bohemian. was Who'll
ly unprepared, 1 acknowledge, for the
purer atmosphere that 1 found In your
home. That 1t was congenial to me
need hardly say. But l was not alone
in my app eciation of it, madame. There
was another who found comfort and
happiness here. 1t is not necessary for
me to name him. You are we'll aware
who it was that likewise found your
society solace, your home an ark Of
refuge"
My heart beat violently, my throat
throbbed, and there were tears in my
eyes, though l would not let them fall.
The moment was too solemn, even for
weeping. 1 bowed, and clasped my
hands together to still their nervous
trembling.
You have been kinder to me than
to him." Allan proceeded, gently. You
have ever held your door wide open to
me, and have encouraged me to ask for
the dearest gift in your possession;
but you have forbidden him even the
privilege of acquaintanceShip. Madame,
why is it?"
Did he not know, or was he trying to
force me to confess my resolve in or
der to combat it? 1t was impossible for
me to make open avoWal of my love
for the father to the son, and besides,
L believed it quite unnecessary that I
should do so.
l cast a swift glance at him, and
then turned aside my eyes. The hot
color flooded my cheeks as l replied to
him.
1T is a needless question, Allen"
| whispered. You know why l can no
longer receive your father as I do you"
Il do" he returned, leaning forward
and taking one of my hands in his.
But that reason can be set aside, and
it shall be- Who can be a more i'm
partial judge between parents than a
child that grows up with equal love
for each in his heart? 1 tell you,
madame, though God knows 1 hate to
say it, that my father has every right
to break his marriage tie; that his
wife has herself annulled their union;
that in the sight of God and man he
stands justified in setting aside a Wom-
an who has forfeited her claim upon
him, and in putting in her place one
whom he can honor and respect as we'll
dS lONe. MdudUle, IL L, my son,
bid my father divorce her and marry
you, who else has a right to interfere?"
There was some one besi1es ourselves
in the room. Had we not been so vital
ly occupied with one supreme consider
alton we might have heard her enter.
Now, attracted by the sound of a
quickly indrawn breath, we turned
stmrltar eCusly to discover Lisa ad anc-
ing swiftly toward US.
81 have been listening" she cried
violently, for her. II had no thought
Of eavesdropping, but I have heard
your words, Allan, your sinful words
and wicked advice. You ask who has
a right to interfere in the abominable
project you counsel, to stand between
my mother and a horrible union that
could never be a true marriage? Let
me tell you, then, that have this right.
If you are your fathers son, am like
wise my mothers daughter, and equal
ly concerned with you in a matter
which has to do with her marriage to
a man who is not even yet divorced.
1t is Observation-Disclosures she contin-
ued excitedly-"ttis els uss ion of yours,
and I do not believe it has any frame
work whatever. My mother in love
with a married man, contemplating a
project for setting aside that mans
wife! Oh, no; such a thing could never
be; you are crazy, Allan"
She was exceedingly beautiful in her
passionate excitement, but very stern
and rigidly uncompromiSing, as she
stood facing us in her righteous indig-
nation. It was upon him that she con-
centrated her whole attention, as if
wishing to force him to contradict his
own proposition. But he remained
mute
own, this idta, Allan" she urged; that
my mother has nothing to do with it,"
Still he held his place.
Then, after a slight interval, she re-
marked slowly and very deliberately:
You know, of course, that 1 would
never marry you If such an evil thing
were to take place"
At that the lad cried out her name
entreatingly, protestingly, but without
avail, and 1 knew, being aware of the
adamant of which her principles, the
principles of James Mavis' daughter,
were formed, that he might have fallen
dead before her without affecting her
re resolution.
I rose from my seat and collected all
my energy for the fabrication and ut
terance of the falsehood I was about
to speak. All! what it is to be an
actress by profession! The long tute-
lage of feature and faculty stood me
in good stead now. Even Allan gaped
in establishment at my performance, so
Lisa, herself the most open and candid
Of creatures, it wholly prevailed over
doubt and suspicion.
AS 1 drew myself erect, I stretched
my arms languidly above my head ana
yawned, deliberately and lazily. Then,
while Lisa stood gazing at me as if
l had gone mad. I looked mischievously
at Allan and burst out laughing.
at is really too funny" I eXclaim-
ed, "but it is rather too bad, too. How
ever, if we've leased her, Allan, she
seems to have frightened you out of
your wits. You didn't think that any,
thing in the world could be allowed
to come between you two I suppose
Well, you have heard that there might
be obstacles even in the pathway Of
your love, my dear boy"
And I shook my head forebodingly at
him, while Lisa came close to me- with
Interrogation written in every line Of
her face, and gravity Weighing heavily
upon her perplexed spirit.
What did it mean, mother?" she