The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-04-03

You have received no message from
me?" he asked again, waving her ques
ton.
NO! Message from you? Why should
you send me a message?"
Tell me-have you been sick?!"
She drew herself up haugbtily. This
was too much.
Il cannot see," she said, that it is
of the slightest consequence to you.
sir, in any way; but 1 have not been
sick. And now, sir, if you are not a
Ilunatic, you are a most impertinent man,
and if you do not leave this house at
once, l will call an officer to remove
you"
He! John Winston. threatened 0y
this mite of womanhood with being put
out by an officer! The idea was SO alb
surd that he laughed aloud, thus fur.
nishing his listener with most convinc-
ing proof Of his insanity. She went to
the pull to ring the bell, but Winston
grew grave again in a moment.
Miss Wendall-please!" he ex-
claimed. Let me tell you all about
this. I am neither insane nor iInperti-
rent, but very much perplexed. Listen
to me for three minutes. 1t is all !
ask"
When he reached the conclusion, she
looked up with quivering lips and tear
dimmed eyes.
"Oh, sir! it is that dreadful boy! l
think he will kill me. This is the worst
thing he has done yeti"
HE may have done this innocently,"
suggested Winston, kindly. "a boy
with a"
No, 1 know what you would say:
~ boy with a face like that couldn't
dc such a thing ~wickedly.' But he could,
he can! That boy is capable of any
thing. He has a face like a cherub, but
he acts like a demon. Why, one day I
came home and found him a few streets
off, dressed like a beggar, his face COW
cred with dirt and with an old tin cup
in mis- hand, collecting pennies from
passers-Dy for his sick sister. I'm sure
l don't know what he does with his
money, but | know that l will not let
him have any mOre than allowance
which / think is enough for a boy of
his age. When I refuse, he manages in
some way 10 obtain it. But this is the
very worst. He didn't do it ~innocently,
for he read aloud to me while l copied
those lines"
You see" she went IN. a moment
later. "we were only half-brother and
sister. His mother was-we were not
altogether happy after pa died"
"Poor child! I should imagine not"
said Winston. to himself. "if the sons
charming characteristics are a direct in
h~eritance from the mother"
But 1 promised my step-mother I
would look after Harold. l can't help
thinking he needs a mans hand ove
him." and she finished with a sigh.
81 should say So" answered John Win
ston, grimlv, and as though he would
Ike to be hat man who should have the
shaping of that young gentleman's fu-
ture career. An inspiration came.
"Miss Wendall," said he. earnestly, Il
feel sorry for you, and the charge which
is laid upon shoulders too young to bear
it. Imay be able to serve you in one way.
Say nothing to this degenerate young
man, but bring him to the downtown
Office next Saturday afternoon-he will
not suspect me of being there-and I
will give him such a talking to as will
that golden aureole of his to
shrivel up to a crisp. We will see what
can be done with him."
"Oh, sir. I'm SURE I'm grateful TO you!"
Not at all. not at ALL" replied Win
ston, gruffly. but with a twinkle in his
eve. I'm bound to have my revenge
out of somebody. and he seems to ne the
most appropriate one.
Just what passed between the cherub
and the great editor no one ever knew
but the cherub. the cherub's sister and
the great editor himself. but the young
gentleman came out of the interview a
wiser if a sadder boy.
And the editor married Miss Wen
Oh, no. he didn't-at least, not
vet.-Ladies' World.