The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-02
MAN OF ACTION.

John Desmond awoke at 3 o'clock in the
morning and tossed about in his bed. Within
him fierce struggle between the brain and
the heart was in progress. He employed
every scheme that he was aware of to court
or compel sleep without success.
Suddenly the truth dawned upon him, like
flood of soft warm light. He was in love.
The loss of his life, compared with which all
his past loves were mere idle fancies. The
battle over, John Desmond, thirty, law
yer, athlete, man of the world, was con-
quered.
Being man of action, Desmond no sooner
| acknowledged to himself that he really was
in love with Kate Evanston than he resolved
to marry her at the earliest possible day.
Kate Evanston was seated at the piano in
the drawing of Mrs. Salsbury's beauti-
full home, where she employed as COM
panion to the lady of the house. The rich
light of middle May evening pervaded the
place.
Her fingers were softly bringing back mem
cries of ''Ermine' and other Casino delights
as her thoughts travelled back over the past.
After time she rose from the piano and
picking up number of photographs of John
DeSmOndS friends that lay upon the table,
| seated herself upon a sofa with her back to
the door and proceeded to contemplate each
of them
Desmond returning home early that even
ing let himself into his aunts house very
quietly with his latchkey, hoping to catch
Kate at the piano in the middle of one of the
sweet airs he had grown of late to love.
he approached the great drawng-room
doors and took a peep through the crevice
which separated them. In an instant his heart
seemed to cease beating with almost electri-
cal suddenness, for the sight which his mad
dened brain encountered filled him with rage
and jealousy.
With heart of ice and lead he was about
to turn to leave the house as noiseessy as
he had entered when the sinking sun shot
o. he md Iod
something which made the blood course faster
through his body than it had ever coursed
before Then he turned away, and closing
the door very softly behind him, descended
the front steps of the house and passed down
the street.
Mrs. Salisbury and Miss Evanston were at
their dessert that evening before John ap-
peared. He had left word in the morning
that he might be detained until late hour,
and so they had not waited dinner for him.
Mrs. Salisbury noticed that her nenhew
seemed to be labOring under considerable re-
straint and bluntly asked him the cause
but the good ladys solicitude met only with
evasion, and she presently gave up all at
tempts to draw anything from him and re-
Kate together.
No sooner had Mrs. Salisbury quilted the
dining-room than Desmond turned to Kate
and said: ~,i4 ga
Miss Evanston, I'm going to ask YOU to
do me a favor
Kate looked at him inquisitively.
L want you," he continued; ito accompany
me on bit of shopping tour. I've got
peculiar mission to execute and I want your
help. Will you do it?''
ITO be sure. I shall be most happy, Mr.
Desmond" Kate answered; land if you'll
excuse me I'll be prepared in very few min
utes''
The streets were dark by the time they left
the house for the shopping quarter of the
town, and Kate took Desmond's arm. They
had walked for a few moments in silence
when Desmond Said
Il want to explain this errand to you and
no doubt you, too, will think it peculiar AS
matter of fact, I've been commissioned to
arrange for the wedding Of two very dear
friends
Two couples?" Kate asked, quietly.
why no! only one couple; a man and a
woman" John answered somewhat puzzled
at the question.
And was she very dear friend?" the girl
on his arm asked.
Yes; the dearest friend I ever had among
women; in fact, the only woman I ever really
cared for
In moment John was half sorry, half glad
he had said this, for he felt the little hand Of
his companion withdrew until only the tips
of the fingers rested upon the arm. That's
a good sign,' he unused.
For moment nothing was said; then Miss
Evanston broke the silence.
and didn't she care for your" she asked.
Yes" he replied. "She loved me and she
still loves me-
Presently Hates curiosity got the better of
her judgment and she asked: "And the man
you say he's dear friend. too?'
Yes" replied Desmond; "the only one 1
ever trusted absolutely
and does he know that you love her and
that she loves your?
He knows absolutely that 1 love her and
ne is mighty certain that she loves me-"
Kate was now thoroughly mystifed