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

Cant you get rid Of him. Miss Hood?"
TN afraid not sighed Miss Hood, and as
she glanced at her table near the front Of the
restaurant she Shuddered.
Sticks like a plaster, doesn't he?" re-
marked Miss Cushmaa, with contemptuous
ring in her voice.
'pont think that have encouraged him"
pleaded Miss Hood, TREMENDOUSLY. Il have to
answer his questions, for 1 suppose that if
did not the head waiter would say was i'm
polite to the customers and I'd lose my place.
Miss CushTnan laughed a little at first and
then her face clouded with indignation.
"Oh DEAR gasped Mary in dismay, what
shall 1 do? What do you suppose his plan
is? I'm afraid I'd better give up my place
at orce.''
''You won't do anything of the kind, Mary
returned Miss Cushman with decision. my
guess is that he is going to follow you home,
as to find where you live. Well fool him.
You go along home with me. That will pre-
vent him, probably from speaking to you ON
the street, and it will put him on the wrong
track
But, Miss Cushman,'' interrupted Mary,
"I can't have you taking my troubles on
yourself What if he should try to annoy
you?'''
very thought of it.
eve got the best defense in the world,
Mary" she said comfortingly; "Ill set my
big brother on him. Tom and live together,
the rescue of both or either of u.s.
It was plain that Mary was greatly en-
couraged by this suggestion, for her face
lighted. and she said with a sigh of relief:
'.It must be fine to have a big brother to fall
back on
There was an expression of intense amuSe-
ment on Miss Cushman's face for just an in
slant. She repressed it quickly, and said
with enthusiasm: 1T is, Mary; and I want
you to meet my big brother. You'll fall dead
in wit affectiOnafe
fellow, and he'll love you at sight"
Nothing more was said Of the matter until
it was time to start for home. The obnoX-
ious customer had gone out and now could
be seen standing at the curb if waiting
for a car, but letting car after car pass him
uni allied.
'Now for the protection of my big brother
said Miss Cushman, gayly, linking her arm
in Mary's
They decided to make an effort to elude
the fellow at the start, and with this plan in
view they walked some distance up the
street before taking a car. When they were
seated, however, they saw the persistent
customer on the rear platform. They did
not look his way again during the trip, or
when they alighted, but they were certain
that he following, and Mary was ex-
tremely uneasy.
At last they entered Miss Cushman's lodg-
ing house and went into the sitting room
where they told the landlady the situation.
The story was hardly done when there came
a ring at the lTOHI Jour duu d SERVANT an
nounced that young man was there in
curing for vacant rooms. Both girls peered
through the curtain at the man on the stoop
and both turned simultaneously with an
aspirate, Its him."
Then said the landlady, promptly, I'll
send him away
mo" responded Miss Cushman, that
would be merely to postpone the trouble
Have you vacant room?"
zone little one on the top floor"
sTake him up to it and leave the rest to
US"
The landlady hesitated but an instant be-
fore she yielded to her respect for her
Iodeer's sagacity, and presently the two
suit of the offensive customer, Mary Hood
wondering excitedly all the time what was
going to happen. Halfway up the last flight
| thev paused hearing the young man and the
[ardlady in conversation. He was asking
foolish questions about the house and its
occupants and the landlady was answering
| at random for she, like Mary, could NOT
guess what it was in Miss Cushman's mind
70 do At length a key was turned and a
door thrown open
Its the only room I've got said the land
llady. "You can take a look at it,
Saving that he would do and inuuirine
about the persons occupying the other rooms
on the floor, the young man stepped across
tha threshold. Instantly Miss Cushman hur
r;ed to the top landing, glided across the hall
nulled the door to and turned the kew in the
lock
"Here 1 say! What do you mean? Let
me QUIT" came in tones of CONSERVATION and
anger from the young man, while he seized
the door knob and ratified it vigorously The
land;ady looked on speechlessly and Miss