The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-07

door OF Quiet-looking house in respectable
slde-street and led the way to sitting
roon' on which comfortably furnished bed
room opened.
Now sit you down and make a right good
meal and then you just tell me what made
yoI attempt so mad a thing"
so saying, the woman-who Mavis now
saw, was fully ten years older than herself,
ana handsome in bold sort of fashion
hustled about, placing meat and bread before
he.
Now out with it," she said, when Mavis
nad nnished, and, with the baby on her
breast lay back in an easy chair ''Tell me
what drove you to attempt a flying leap to-
night-a mani"
Then Mavis, as in gratitude bound told the
tale not of her life. but only dating back
three months
1t was a simple tale and not Uncommon
want, hunger, despair.
No man in it? Humphi how about that"
SAID the woman, sarcaStically pointing to the
sleeping infant. We'll WE'LL it's past 1
O'Clock get to bed, and in the morning I'll
will"
And roughly, but not unkindly she pushed
Mav1s into the bedroom, where without
more ado, she undressed her and put her into
oed with her baby in her arms.
Long and earnestly did the girls hostess
gaze upon the lovely sleeping faces of mother
ana child, and presently she started
tered.
AS she turned away from the bed, packet
OF letters lying on the floor caught her eye.
They had evidently fallen unnoticed when
she had undressed Mavis
The handwriting was familiari
Witnout hesitation she opened them, and
tents.
In the morning came the inevitable reac-
Mavis was iIl-the result simply of semi
starvation and trouble
she lay Ill in the house of the woman, who
babe her call her Mrs. Clare
by ner she was tenderly nursed and
Drought pack from the gates of the grave.
MRS. Clare was strangely reticient about
herself, and Mavis was not curious
All she knew was that her benefactress
was widow that the house in which she
!1Veo was her own, and she eked out her liv-
ing by letting part of it in lodgings, although
she admitted that she had a. small annuity
and was not entirely dependent on her
dodgers.
So Mavis asked but few questions
AS she became convalescent, her weakness
was such that she was content to lie with
ner paDy by the open window, quiet and
thoughtful
she wondered vaguely how soon she would
pc wen enough to go forth and. take up, the
burden of her life again -
One day she said as much to Mrs Glare
who smiled oddly as she answered.
ON, aye; time enough for that Perhaps
your troubles are over, my girl-perhaps
they're not. Anyhow, I shall look upon you
as my LOGGER for the present. You can pay
me when you are able.'
But indeed, dear Mrs. Glare, I fear that
will be never. 1 must not stay with you
under the circumstances. If you will only
help me to get work.
Work! Yes; you look like work!-and
never is a long day. Suppose you tell me
your story now that you are stronger? YOU
only gave me the story Of three months. and
you were too overstrained for questions then
now it is different, and-and I may be able
to help you.
Indeed, indeed you have been so good t.
me- Mrs. Glare, that I think-yes, I will tel
yon all-everything!' replied Mavis, suddenly
making up her mind to tell this capable
woman the whole story of her nfe-the en-.
tire truth, holding back only the name Of
him who had been her betrayer and he1
ruin.
-, cu.1rrn
Mrs. Clare sat silent until Mavis haG
finished the sad story of her betrayal.
During it's narration she made no remark