The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-28
5ONE LITTLE WORD UNsA1


like you, Blanca, and forget all I cam
Two days later Daisy's mother puts into
Phil Carruthers' hand letter. Phil bears
the daughter no malice, and is anxious only
to know what has become of her, though his
contempt for Mrs. Page is beyond words.
Toms secret is a secret from him no longer,
for Daisy's farewell note, and Margaret Pom
SOnby'S words, have broken down the barrier
of pride that has kept Tom silent many
months, and though the mystery is still not
fully explained, the brothers have little doubt
that Mrs. Page was at the bottom of Da1sy's
seeming falsity. 1t is as Daisy thinks, and
her conduct has not proved the DEATH blow
to Phil's happiness that it might have done
by no means what that other girls disap-
pearance six years ago was to him-though
he sincerely believed himself attached to her.
and feels still that he is not likely to ever
again encounter so sweet a girl, or one who
would SO well fill the place left empty by that
other.
Blanca Wilbrahami" exclaims Phil, start
ing up as his eyes fell upon the name at the
bottom of the letter of explanation.
Yes did you ever hear of such mad
idea?" cries Mrs. Page. TT is some poor mu-
sic mistress to whom Daisy took an absurd
fapcy when she was at school in Brussels,
and this girl-who, suppose, must really be
talented in that way, and holds all manner
of certificates, according to Daisy-now sup
ports herself by taking pupils, and playing
at concerts and private houses in Brussels,
and suppose is getting on pretty well. But
for my daughter to dream of such thing!
I shall go over and bring her back at once"
Mrs. Page has strong hopes judging by
Pills anxiety to find her daughter, that he
will forgive her and welcome her back to her
old place. But Pills thoughts are far from
Daisy Page at present
Blanca Wilbraham!'' he cries again, and
seems to see brown girlish face, and a pair
of grey eyes, lighted with fire of inspira-
ton such as he has never seen in any other.
Blanca Wilbraham!"
Then he turns again and reads the address
in the firm handwriting at the top of the
sheet: rs, Rue de Naples. ct is not one Of
the prominent streets, he says, meditatively.
"Of course not" answers Mrs. Page, snap
pishly 1T is near the Rue du Trone, and
that's all 1 know about it. To think 1 shall
have to go all that distance to fetch that
naughty child back! But after alP'-nerv
ously-"the wedding will not have to be post
poned."
"The wedding, Mrs. Page!" interrupts Phil,
sternly. There will be no wedding between
your daughter and me, if that is what you
are abiding to-"
Surely you will forgive her-a childish es-
carade,'' begins Mrs. Page.
There is no question of forgiveness re-
turns Phil Daisy loves my brother, and
had it not been for interference of some sort
between them which neither of them appears
to understand quite yet, they might have
beer happy months ago"
Your brother! Oh, that is NONSENSE" says
Mrs. Page, with dignity. HE has no means
ON which to. support "A wife. Besides it was
mere boy and girl fancy on both, sides. pro,s
Toms private income is three hundred a
year." interposes Phil, coldly; added to
which his profession brings him in about an
other three hundred at present. and for
Daisy's sake, until he was making more,
have no doubt he would consent to receive
something from me. Anyhow, I fancy from
the spirit your. daughter has just displayed
that she will please herself in this matter,
Mrs. Page AS for my Intentions" He
paused, looked down at the letter in his
hsn1, 1t0t1 Oir,tc CT
ture to his companion, This is the name of
the only woman love- and the only woman
1 shall ever marry now"
"Daisy's friend! That music grill" gasps
Mrs. Page.
MY friend long before she was Daisy's,"
returns Phil. My sweetheart when boy,
Mrs Page" unable to help laughing at the
amazement and CONSERVATION in the face be-
fore him. &<<
"And have you been amusing yourself then
with my daughter all this time that you seem
to have got over your feeling for her so
soon?' demands Mrs. Page, furiousy
NO. answers Phil, who seems lost in ra-
diant wonder as he turns to peruse the well
come letter once again, provokingly oblivious
to Mr.. Pages anger. No, Mrs. Page, I
haven't got over my feeling for Daisy. III
shall always be fondest of her-after Blanca,
and I fancy she will always be fondest of
me-after Tom. Oh! we shall not quarrel
over this, assure you.
Mrs Pages fury can only find expression
IN an indignant movement towards the door,
and on the way to it, by means of a mirror,
she sees that the music girls" letter is
pressed to Philip Carruthers' lips.
e
Blanca! Bianca! They are all here
mamma, Phil and-and his brotherl They
have come to take me back! I'll never marry
him. never! But why has Tom come? They
are all in the street,"
One startled white face stares into another
equally pale and terrified. Indeed, Blanca
ySyilhra ha looks moro faint with faor