The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-23

10 next birthday, and yet you grieve my
dignity by talking of pinafores, as if I were
little girl!''
Mrs. Woodville started slightly.
L1sten!" she interrupted II thought I
heard the hall door open. Did you notice a
nose?'
Perhaps it's the wind" said Man, SILVER
ing little. 1T has grown stormy since 1
got nome and so cold. Shall I go and see,
mother? If anyone is there they will never
hear in the kitchen tonight" and she passed
out into the long stone passage
Inc lamp which usually lighted it had not
YET Deen lit and the stays heads and antlers
on the rough, yellow washed walls cast an
intricate pattern of shade upon her as she
went towards the glass door to see if it was
closed.
For moment she stood looking out at the
great cal, sweep Of country before her.
Hill and valley were fattened into one in
o1stlnct greyness by the night, and the moon
was in the midst of scudding clouds with
her face all wan and wet,'' as she peeped
down on the wind-tossed trees.
She smiled, Whimsically and her hand
stole towards the door knob
Shall do it?" she said. "Three times
round the barley stack, and then-and then
you see him! I wonder if I SHALL and
what he'll be like! Shall I do it? Of course
1 dare, though they said thew daren't. and
they were sure hadn't the courage, either
Are they all in the kitchen, I wonder? This
lamp ought to be lighted never mind, I'll not
disturb them. I'll get the matches myself "
ana sne went towards the door that sep
arated the front of the house from the back
but suddenly stumbled, and drew back in
alright.
Two strong arms were round her; they had
saved her from falling, and now supported
her, holding her, perhaps, a little longer than
the occasion required
L beg your pardon, Miss Woodville said
deep, musical voice. "The fact is. I have
taken liberty. I rang the bell for a lone
time; no one answered, and, at last, when
the w1nd blew the door open, I entered. ]
hope l did not startle you very much"
Nan shook her head rather coldly.
Il did not, of course, know you were
there" she said, and naturally. T was
startled. Will you not come into the draw
ing room?"
My horse is outside. If you will pardon
me I will lead him around to the stable
first.
Il will send a man.
On, no. please don't troubled" and the
intruder came forward into the MOONLIGHT
He was a man Of 4S, tall and thin. with q
why, muscular frame, and dark, saturnine
clean-shaven face
One beauty alone Jasper Goodwin possess
sed in the shape of a pair of fine black eves
capable of looking wild, and passionate and
pleading, whenever his love-the strange in.
explcable passion he had for this girl of
which she was quite unaware; the passion
Whlcn nao come to him late in life and
the passion which was slowly burning his
heart-broke away from the fierce control
to which he subjected it, and which showed
itself now for one terrible moment in the
glance he cast on her. --e
Although she was reluctant to allow If he
took her hand and held it closely
NAY, don't send for anyone Miss Nancy :,
he said in a low voice. I'll stable the horse
myself. Have you seen the moon tonight?
She is bright. and calm, and lovely quite
distant from all the trouble and turmoil Of
the world-quite at peace. She remined me
of you I've been looking at her all the time
l was riding here; twice my horse stumbled
owing to my carelessness and the bad road
and once I was thrown; 1 might have been
killed"
He looked sombrely into her eyes for Soma
sign Of pity, as he spoke, and the moonI;eht
streaming through the many barred win
dows, threw weird shadows over his faca 70,
his mouth seemed to writhe with main
.'I wish to God 1 had BEEN" he said hro,.
emily, half to himself; II wish to God ha =
been!"
She withdrew her hand quickly. for bis
clasp had loosened. M
His emotion communicated itself r. -
the poignant anguish of his suppressed VI,
gave her vague feeling of uneasy ranr,s;a'
mingled with pity
IL am very sorry she stammered. "Are
you hurt?"
mo, I'm not hurt, thank you. Miss Ma
were you-were you really sorry?" =.