The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12

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6ut what l want TO know is do you in
teno MIN to go on doing it all your life?'
asked Mrs. Harding
On, don't know; 1 suppose he WILL said
ohelIa, nnocently and indifferently enough;
ana then catching sight of her aunt's smile.
COMPREHENSION came to her, and she answer
ed' quite cooly and without the vestige of
blush: oh, l see now. Yes; he is very silly
about that. He wants me to promise to marry
MN; as II you could decide thing like that
IN hurry! want to see a little of the
Worlo nrst You see, it would be very aWk-
ward, if, when I had promised to marry
Roddy, l saw someone else l liked better
would it not?''
Very awkward, indeed" said Mrs Hard
ing, smiling, at the naive coolness Of the
childs manner.
1t was evident enough that this rustic lover
OF hers had not even touched her heart, and
Mrs Harding, who was born chaperon, be-
gan to vaguely dream of a grand match for
her charge.
Then you are not bound by any promise?"
she said, determined to have everything clear
oh, yes, I am,'' said Sheila, knitting her
Iorehead little "Roddy worried so, and
was so unhappy about my coming away, that
mad to say something. So I agreed that if,
IN year, saw no one whom 1 liked better,
II would marry him.
on! indeed And did that bring Mr.
Roddy any sort of satsfaction?'' asked Mrs.
Harding, her lips curving in irrepressible
amusement at this gracious concession.
WeH' no. He was very silly said Sheila,
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very unlikely that / shall meet anyone I shall
like better and, besides, it gives him a
chance, too.''
OF course I consider it a very handsome
bargain assented the other, gravely But
here we are at home, and you must get some
thing to eat before all the people come in to
look at you in your fine clothes''
L shall feel rather like the jackdaw in the
peacocks feathers. They don't seem to be-
long to me at ALL said Shea gaily
In the long, artistic drawing-room one or
two of the Hardings' more intimate friends
were already assembled, while Edith, who had
just come in from bicycle ride, was pouring
out the tea attired in a rough grey tweed
coat and skirt, Eer brown hair brushed un-
lcompromisingly back from her forehead,
manly collar and tie round her throat as
great a contrast to her mother and cousin as
well could be imagined.
We'll, you poor things, are you quite worn
out?' she said, in tone of good -humored
patronage, Mother what luck it is for YOU
Ito have a fellow victim on the altar of
fashion,
But it was lovely" said Sheila. 81 never
creamt of such beautiful dresses and such
diamonds"
Now, it is a very curious thing that CEN
tCres of education have never rooted out of
the average woman that barbaric liking for
glttering bits of stone said Edith, in a tone
lof philosophical meditation. do you seri-
Iously believe, Sheila, that you would look
bit prettier with a thousand pounds worth of
them about you?"
1ou forget tnelr money value, my dear
put in Colonel Harding who generally re-
garded his daughter as in interesting sort of
study
But they would not have any money value
II 1t were not for woman's vanity retorted
Edith well, Shela, 1 do not blame you
Tor think you are most pleasant specimen
of the old-fashioned woman, created especial
iy for men to fall in love with. If 1 were
man might do it myself
Sheila laughed and blushed little. but she
was quite used to being told she was pretty,
for Irishmen are always ready with a fiatter-
ing speech, and she had none of the self
consciousness and aWkWardneSs of the Ordn-
ary English schoolgirl.
"Ah, WE'LL my dear. please remember I am
ian old-fashioned person. too," said Colonel
Harding, patting his daughters shoulder
L do, and that is why 1 think it is bv a.
special providence that you have such a
niece as Sheila,' she answered. All and here
lis another old-fashioned man."
The butler was just ushering in some fresh
arrivals, and among them was tail, broad
Ishouldered young man, with an Enthusiastically
military cut about him, at whom Sheila
stared with puzzled sense of having seen
him before.
oh, Lord Fanshaw, is it you? I did not
think you could possibly get here so soon,'
said Mrs. Harding, holding out a welcoming
hand to him.
Il went straight back to my quarters, and
my man was not long in getting out of
my regimentals.''
Let me see. You know my daughter. but
not my niece Think said Mrs. Harding,
looking round for Sheila. "Sheila, this is
Lord Fanshawe; Lord Fanshawe this is Miss
Irwin, the wild Irish niece were expecting
when you were here last Why surely you
are not already acquainted?"
"Oh, no. said the young man, smiling:
morning to rescue MISS TWINS bouquet that
was nearly being swept away by old Lady
Carew's elbow
"Oh, of course 1 remember now!" said
J he'll lly1y a1r-I