The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-30

was Jim who won the prize. well, Jim was
born to be lucky-a fine, sturdy chap
He waxed enthusiastic, and she Joined in
the hymn of praise.
Jim was so handsome and so clever Yes,
and the best of husbands too" Out pride,
which engenders lying, would not help her to
meet his eyes).
Then he rose in wrathful bitterness.
Your loyalty was ill-placed. Maggie. He
made it a poor return. Damn him! he NUT
tered, walking over to the window. HE had
better left you in my keeping, after ALL"
He stod with his back to her, and frowned
on a sea of chimney pots, and she covered
her shamed face, where the dead mans blows
seemed to trob and burn again.
When he came back he was full of self re-
proach. He had hurt her by his bluntness.
He was laundering old fool And he i'm
mediately set about proving the assertion,
choosing the moment of her humiliation to
put serious question:
us it too late, Maggie?" in a very wistfu1
tone.
And she answered: cit was that years ago,
John"
which was just what he might have ex-
pected. And then they parted He wished
to know her plans, but she was rehcent- He
would have offered further help, but was
afraid.
For days after he was dour and restless
Stocks failed to interest him. He grew worn
and harassed.
He visited the Childs grave. Standing by
the mound Of moist freshly turned earth one
8,
loneliness swept over him.
He had grown hard and selfish with the
added years, he knew; quicker to scent
bargain. keener to haggle over and hoard
the money he had gained. Well, man must
find some interest when the one most COW
eted in life had been denied him. He had
craved the love of but one woman in his man
hood Forsworn and Tilted, he had shut tight
lips upon his sorrow, and turned his eyes on
Grub Street.
And now?
The grave of her child lay at his feet. Look
ing down, it seemed the in which he had
laid his blighted tenderness forever. Was it
too shadlow-wouldn't the thing die? It
seemed as if the scraping Of his foot would
bare it again tormenting and quick and beau
tiful.
mist before his eyes He brushed them
with doubtful fingers. Tears! He turned to
30, but the Child's mother stood at his elbow
rs it you?" he said, foolishly; but she
scarcely seemed to hear.
You stayed so long" she muttered; 81
grew tired of waiting
She sank the grave like one who was
spent and weary. and he understood somehow
that she had been watching him from afar.
She had been there before, she told him;
she had only left her post to buy those flow
er5 at the gates. They were pretty, weren't
they? Only the hawker was late today. She
undid the string, and spread the flowers on
the sod.
He stood watching her - :
Such little thing she looked to do battle
with the world, such a white, sorrow-laden
weary little thing! ga" =
A sigh escaped him.
What are you doing?" she asked as he
bent over the grave.
When he Strengthened back he held some
violets in his fingers. He laid them between
the leaves of his notebook before answer
ing.
Il loved her, too" he said, and then gave
her long, long look. "She might have been
NINE" he added. "if-' Then he stopped,
choking, and strobe hurriedly away.
Trouble in his mind. hunger gnawing
at his heart, but that didn't affect his hear
ms small voice arrested him.
"John" it cried, TREMENDOUSLY.
He stopped cleared his throat, and turned
his head his shoulder
ut can't be helped he cried, cheerfully
Don't you fret about it, Maggie" and took
Il step forward
joint" she called again.
He went back. When he reached her side
the tears were streaming down her cheeks
But it wasn't that which puzzled him. Tears
were natural. 1t was something that lay
behind them. MY dear" he cried, what is
it, and his voice was so tender that it
brought the tears faster.
Then she got on her feet and put her hands
his broad shoulders. Her eyes were
cl,,ser then, that the something which the
tears yelled was. perhaps. easier to read
Anyway, "Maggie!" he cried, in 4 queer
hoarse tone, and Maggie, nesting nearer
cried: I'm ti-ed,' almost as the Child
might have done, and when he put his arms
about her wept out her sorrow on his breast
little alter the Devil with the Woman
on his arm passed out into the world again
and the Child. with the flowers on her breast
smiled upward III her sleep
A R0ApnlNG HnIIeE RnMhNnC