The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-14
so LIKE A WOMAN.

uul6aSOndOlG-SO,
woman"
Maurice Rennie, at present in a sadly in
tured frame Of mind, looked moodily across
the dinner table, and. as an aside, sharply
refused to have his glass replenished with
champagne. He would brook no alienation
of his misery. He not only Rugged his griev-
ance but insisted on forcing it constantly
on my attention also. began to be more
than ever sorry that my friend Dr. Benson
had been unable to accept my invitation, Just
as sorry as was for Maurice's sake that
Miss Lena Temperton had also called off at
the eleventh hour (that is, about 7:15 o'clock
by my drawing-room clock), leaving me tete-
a-tete with Maurice, and he at any rate not
too we'll pleased
He had been engaged to pretty, smart Lena
Teplperton just three months, and UP to now
things had gone as such things should al
together as smoothly and happily as the
most anxious Of mutual friends could desire
Maurice had practically invited himself and
Lena to dinner with=stne en-vthis occasion,
and only on Monday (this was Thursday,
when CHANGED to meet her Just entering St
James Theater, Lena WsHli#ded me of it. I
openly shared Matrices surprise AT anv
rate, for no real excuse had been contained
in that hasty note which had arrived from
her an hour ago, but I saw no just excuse
why all the sex should suffer for Miss Lena's
detection.
Your accusation is sweeping enough
Maurice began.
II tell you straight, I am not going to be
played with. 1t is making a 1aughing stock
of me, and I won't stand it. I left her after
dinner on Monday, and she appeared then
JUS: as sweet and as fond of me as she has
always been. She was going with her people
to the theater and I had an appointment at
the club, but we were to meet again twice
between then and now. Tuesday it was at
Mrs. Fairbanks at home Lena knew very
well only accepted for the sake of seeing
her, had told her enough times. And with
out a word she calmly stayed away She
used to think nothing of sending me two or
even three notes in day, if occasion arose
but now she could not spare time, it seems,
for a word"
Excuse me, Maurice, but you really will
smash that glassware none of them there %
Yes, of course; Bessie was for one. (Bessie
is the third Miss Temperton, just out) And
she most evidently avoiding me- But I
managed to get hold of her once for a, sec
ond, somehow. L was determined not to be
cut in that bare-faced manner
What did she say?'
THAT Lena couldn't come. so she was
there instead. Couldn't come, indeed! Why,
she went scarlet as she said it,
Bessie is very young" I pleaded
'Besse's sister apparently isn't" sneered
he.
''And yesterday"
Last night [ was going round to her place
after dinner; the old folks were coming out
But note came from her-oh yes she could
write then, fast enough!-to say she would
Hoped 1 should not mind very much-verv
much. She could not give any reason at
present. but sent her love. And you should
Just see some of the letters she has sent me
pages cranmed.''
If I could only help YOU 1 said rashly.
Would you?" said he, with an expression
What was comparatively hopeful For /
really think you might do something (des-
pondency overlook him AGAIN., if any one
could he added.
In what way do you suggest?" L inquired
humbly.
We'll, I don't exactly know" said Maurice,
unless you could contrive to see Lena and
get at the bottom of all this mystery and
tonfoolery from her"
"Mightn't you do something of the sort
yourself?"
Haven't 1 been plainly shown I am not
wanted?" he asked, fiercely. And, by Jove,
where I ann not wanted you will never find
ne"
His mood was evidently not one to yield