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

1T is no inconvenience" I said; eff you
will follow me-
[ led the way to the scullery. feeling very
much ashamed of doing so, but [ had far too
great respect for Sarah and her immaculate
kitchen to dream of taking him there I even
expected to incur her lasting displeasure as it
was, but l determined to brave it for once.
L was glad that I had done So for as the
stranger prepared to go, noticed on his new
ly washed hands several gaping frost cuts,
two of which were bleeding
''Oh! please stay moment I said. Your
hands are so bad! Will you let me bind them
up?'
He looked at me quickly, and grew rather
red.
Let your" he said ct would be the
greatest kindness-but don't like to trouble
you'll"
smiled and said nothing but run off to
fetch the invaluable pot of vaseline and a lit
tie roll Of old linen.
With these I bandaged up the bleeding
fingers very carefully and scientifically, and
when it was finished felt not a little proud OF
nv performance.
"There! don't they feel better now?" I
asked, cheerfully.
They do indeed" ne answered; "and, am
sure, will soon be quite we'll 1 wish L knew
how to thank you.3 5 :
DO you?" 1 said. 81 don't-it makes one
feel SO very uncomfortable and small to be
thanked.''
He smiled, with a quick glance of interest
that reminded me suddenly of whom I was
talking to, and wondered what auntie would
say if she knew.
But then, it was impossible to help seeing
that this man was a gentleman, in spite of his
present condition and his worn and shabby
Clothes and it seemed quite natural to me to
treat him as one.
The hands I had Just bandaged though
rough from work and exposure, had evidently
To S11oh bar S
usage.
His features were clear-cut and refined, and
thought, very handsome, with that short
brown pointed beard, and certainly the finest
pair of frank, honest-looking grey eyes that
had ever seen.
What can have happened to bring him to
this pass?" wondered as he again thanked
me and turned to go out
MolI1e!' cried my aunt, in a shocked and
Mortified voice. from the drawing-room door,
and l knew that had let myself in for a Sc
we're lecture. The man bowed to her as he
passed out, but she replied only by a stare OF
establishment and frigd disapproval. How
could you?" she exclaimed to me, he dis
appeared, latter all my warning I have no
doubt that wretched man has taken stock of
the house, and will come back with his ac-
complies tonight to rob us!"
For shame, auntie!" I cried, angry and
indignant 1T is horrible to be suspicious
and unjust; and, besides, that man is a
gentleman!"
"a what?" asked my aunt, aghast. 'sHave
you taken leave of your senses, child, that you
talk so absurdly?"
mo-" I replied, holly; "but I saw more of
him than you did, auntie, and I maintain that
he is gentleman"
With this flew upstairs to my own room,
feeling Strangely upset and rather inclined to
cry.
I was very fond of Aunt Lucy, who had
brought me up and taken the place Of the
mother I could scarcely remember, and L
naturally felt guilty at having spoken rudely
to her
The greater part of that evening was spent
by my aunt and Sarah in making absurd and
elaborate arrangements to prevent the en-
trance of the much-dreaded burglars, or, at
least, to ensure our hearing them if they did
get in.
But, of course, no burglary was attempted
and SO the precautions were gradually relax
ed until, at the end of a fortnight, the house
hold had returned to it's normal state OF
placid monotony.
CHAPTER II