The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-29

ldu nOpeQ tnere was, said she softly.
BraVe heart! 1t was a dire business.
There may be some day. I murmured
L mean that 1 expect 1 shall marry soone
or later"
oh, [ hope sol" said she; when you ar
little older. Some strong, helpful woma
with ideals. Not a poor little society but
terfy-ike me-
| If she were like you" said I and stopped
! she won't be-" said Miss Marsh quickly.
! MY heart was torn with pity for her.
! one SO seldom marries the person on
wants to-" said 1, breaking the truth to he
gently.
And how much better for us that is. ism,
Iit?"
Inc reJoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, Miss Marsh?'
L mean that the object of first low
HAPPY"
I remembered that this was her third sea
Ison.
First love is the only love-" said I.
On, mol" said she.
oh, yes!' l repeated firmly. 1t was n
time for mawkish faltering. My duty wa
plain.
! MI Wroughtnight," said she, ''believ
what am about TO say. Y GU are too youn
yet to know what IS best for your own vel
fare"
1t seemed an odd way to talk, as I was a
least two years her senior, but reflected tina
she was diStraught-that she was fightin,
against her own happiness
| Il Think said l. Il know what is best TO
me, young as 1 may be. When my fl
comes along"
THAT time is not yet, of course?" sal,
she.
/ Oh, anxious, despai1ing heart!
NO" 1 cried, and shuddered in dread ex
Irectatlon of some tragic sign from her. Blu
she was strangely calm. 1t almost seemed
to me that light of relief leaped into he
eyeS-the relief Of the tortured soul at hear
ing sentence of death.
great silence fell on u.s. She mused look
ing at me with strange intentness.
Mr.. Wroughtnight,' said she, ST have
mind to be honest with you. 1 have stron
prejudice in favor Of honest dealing. NJ!
IheBesty may cost me your good opinion
but L don't mind that. I mean that I hav
enough faith in your good sense to belieV
that you won't think me unwomanly AM
immodest in saying what propose to say.
| rose in great agitation.
Miss Marsh 1 said, pause reflect. Don
speak yet. You may save us both mucl
pain.
| "Nonsense!' she said sharply.
was surprised and little affronted.
| i beg your pardon" said I. go on
| She f1uttered her fan nervously.
! I'm afraid she said, 1--WE don't quite I'm
4 derstand one another At least I think
understand but you don't"
moistened my dry lips go on" I sal
I again breathlessly.
Mrs. Cheedle has told you something abou
me?"
| mo"
| MI CneeQle, then! Somehow"
| "YeS,'' said l.
What have they told your"
Il cannot repeat it. Miss Marsh, let m
lmploIe you to say no more. Let us e.
back"
mo-" she replied .'I will tell Won wha
they said. They told you that II am-an
in love with your"
''They were mistaken" cried, still willin
to spare her.
Eyes, they were' she responded calmly
| gasped and leaned back in my chair.
Ihey told me-, said she, that you wer
in love with me-
A bitterness of humiliation flooded m,
soul.
II have no doubt they meant we'll" sal,
she.
"Oh, there is no doubt of that" I agreed
sourly.
Perhaps they thought they might make
match between US that way Young mar
ried couples are always the busiest match
makers And really, do you know. I thin
they showed some knowledge Of human
nature in this instance at any rate
She smiled. I felt too sick to smile.
Il am sorry" she said, ''if you feel at al
hurt by this revelation of truth"
Ihen saw the absurdity of my position
and summoned my sense of humor to tn,
rescue. 1t was not possible to remain insen
sible of Miss Marsh's magnificent Command
of her own dignity.
I was fool" said I.
81 too" said She But it does not no++o
now it is all over, does it? And anyway. no
body will know. We shall both keep tn.
secret inviolate, I dare say, for our honor
sake?" oA
I'm afraid you must think me rather
conceited ass, Miss Marsh
Don't be silly" said she. You though
as I did"
! She looked reproachfuly at me.
I have been sincere with Won Mr.
Wroughtnght.' -'ii
That is why 1 pay you compliments
want to restore the balance of things.
we seem to understand one another now
think we might be,friends," said she
/ She gave me her hand and 1 clasped i
warmly. But whenever I recall that absurd
interview my very body bushes. -(Fdwir