The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-26

Nobody but Jack could have induced me,
Helen," Howard declared; hes a great
hearted fellow, and it's not half bad for
him to drink all he wants as it would be for
me to take a single drink. Somehow you for
give Jack everything-every one overlooks
Jack, he's such dear, frank fellow. A fell
low would go on a lark with Jack and think
nothing of it. when he wouldn't Join his
father in a drink And that we are very
sure that we are going to be the happiest
people in the world, will down to the
office for few minutes, if you'll excuse me.
There's some important mail"
Howard, we are going to take you for a
drive said Helen, disappointedly. Couldn't
you give up the Office just this once for us?"
"Well-er-you this is very important,
but I'll tell you what we'll do Drop at
the office and come back for me in few-say
ten minutes-and then-anywhere you like"
Howard Verdery bounded lightly up the
stairway and into his office, Whistling he
went No was about, not even the jani-
tor, as all were enjoying the holiday, and
heap of letters lay upon the floor where they
had been pushed through the door by the
postman. Verdery gathered up the lot, and
tossing them his desk, began hurriedly
running through them.
1t was the first minute that he had had to
himself all day. and now as it all rushed upon
linn, he felt sure, quite sure, that in all the
world there was not happier man than he.
He sorted out the letters, selecting such as he
deemed important, and ripping them open,
mastered their contents in the quick fashion
of the trained business man. But he could
not bring his mind to the exclusive consid-
GRAFTON Of what was before him. Heen's
smile, Helen's voice-Heen, Helen, Helen was
before him.
There was a light step on the stair and the
rustic of skirts. Helen already and I'm not
half through, he murmured gladly, his eyes
moving over the paper with greater swift
ness. The step was at the door, and spring
ing up, with beaming, smiling face, the let
tiers falling to the floor, he stood to meet her.
"Helen-''
He fell back pace or two as if some one
had given him blow. His outStretched arms
fell Imply to his side and the smile died on
his face.
Howard Howard"
1t voice whose tones he well knew,
but which he had not heard for years, and
which he had almost forgotten. A queenly
woman with pale and troubled face stood be-
fore him, holding out her hand
Howard"
To the tortured man it seemed as if
whole half hour passed as they stood thus
He could not speak.
will you not speak to me?' she asked
What are you doing here?" he said, in
voice that not his own.
Howard speak to me-just a word; speak
to me as you once did and I can tell you"
The woman was almost pathetic in her ap-
peal. The tears started from her eyes.
Il never expected to you again. he
went on rapidly, disregarding her. You have
no right to come here. [ had forgotten you
you are nothing to me. What do you want
here? Tell me-quick-''
She was not woman to be frightened; ;:
her face bore proof of that, but his words
completely unnerved her. s
Don't talk to that way she begged !;
don't Forgive me for coming to you but I
could not stay away-I had to come, saw
by the papers that you were to be married
and it drove me wild. thought I could leave
you alone forever, but could not bear it. 1
cannot see you marry another, Howard. l
cannot. I cannot. It's nothing to me, know,
but you shall not
You are wild-mad,'' he said, excitedly.
Her passion had aroused him, almost fright
ened him. You are a perfect fool. You
don't seem to understand that I was boy,
nothing but a boy, with ideas of duty or
love or anything. 1 am a man now; have
crushed the past under my foot, and you
you with it,
He had grown very calm and resolute now
The necessity for quick, effective action had
impressed him.
ANY minute my affianced wife may come
see you here. Do you understand that?
There is the door, He pointed to it theat-
rically. But she did not heed
Il shall not CO." she said; Il shall tell her.
Not that I want to harm you-I would do
anything in the world for you-but I'll
could not allow you to marry any one. 1t
would kill me!''
'Ths is insanity" he said; madness. Why
do you come here at this time of all times?
If had cared anything for you would I have
kept away from you all these years? I have
forgotten you, forgotten that you ever lived.
You are nothing to me! Now, why do you
stay? Go, go-she. she-Helen-will be here
in moment-in a moment-and-she must
not see you here"
He alternated between GOODNESS and intense
excitement. The strain upon his nerves was
most severe. What if Helen should come?
The woman was trembling with excitement,
out desperately resolute.
Il shall not co. she said
You SHALL he shouted; you shall go!