The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-23

strangers. But, strange to say. I had
no sooner done so than / saw that he
was no more at ease than myself He
smiled, glanced at William, made an
offhand remark or so about the wealth
er, but he could not deceive eyes sharp
ened by such experience as mine. Some
thing disturbed him, something con-
nected with him. It made my cheek a
little hot to acknowledge this even to
myself, but it was so very evident in
his whole look and manner that I be-
gan to cast about for the means of rid
ding ourselves of William when that
laundering youth suddenly spoke:
81 suppose he was afraid to come up
the lane. Dc you know. think you're
brave to attempt it, Trohm We haven't
very good name up here" And with
a sudden, perfectly unnatural burst he,
broke out into one of his huge outlaws
that so shook the old gate on which he
was leaning that 1 thought it would
tumble down with him before our eyes.
I saw Mr. Trohm start and cast a look
in which I seemed to see both surprise
and horror before he turned to me and
with an al of polite depreciation anx-
iously said:
II am afraid Miss Butterworth will
not understand your illusions Mr..
Knollys. 1 hear this is her first visit in
town.
AS his manner showed even more
feeling than the occasion seemed to
warrant, l made haste to answer that I
was we'll acquainted with the tradition
of the lane; that its name alone showed
what had happened here.
His bearing showed an instant relief.
Il am glad" said he, "to find you so
we'll informed. 1 was afraid"-here he
cast another very strange glance at
Willian-"that your young friends here
might have shrunk, from some sense
of delicacy, from telling you what
might brighten most guests from
lonely road like this. I compliment you
upon their thoughtfulness
William bowed as If the words of the
other contained no other suggestion
than that which was openly apparent.
Was he so dull, or was he-I had not
time to finish my conjectures even in
my own mind, for at this moment a
quick cry rose behind us, and Lucetta's
light figure appeared running toward
US with every indication of excitement,
"Ah,'' murmured Mr.. Trohm, with
an appearance of great respect, your
sister, Mr. .Knollys. I had better be
making on. Good morning, Miss But
terworth. l am sorry that circum-
stances seem to make it impossible for
me to offer you those civilities which
you might reasonably expect from so
L
are at swords points over a matter
upon which I still insist she is to blame
See how shocked she is to see me even
standing at her gate"
Shocked! L should rather have said
terrified Nothing but fear-her old
fear aggravated to point that made
all attempt atIconcealment impossible
could account for her white. drawn
features and trembling form. She look
ed as if her whole thought was. "Haye
I come in timer"
"What-wlnat has procured us the
honor of this visit?" she asked. moving
up beside William as if she would add
her slight frame to his bulky one to
keep this intruder out.
Nothing that need alarm you,'' said
the other with slight tone of intention
in his kind and mellow voice. st was
rather unexpectedly intrusted this
morning with a letter for your agree
able guest here, and have merely come
to deliver it"
Her look Of astonishment passing
from him to me, thrust my hand into
my pocket and drew the letter out
which I had just received.
From home,'' said I without proper
ly considering that this was in some
measure an untruth.
"Ohr' she murmured as If but half
convinced william could have gone
for It," she added, still eying Mr.
Trohm with a pitiful anxiety.
ST was only too happy" said the
other with low reassuring bow. Then,
as if he saw that her distress would
only be relieved by his departure, he
raised his hat and stepped back into the
open highway. IT will not intrude