The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21

She was clad in black but with white at
her neck and wrists. and her plainly-cut gown
htted her slight, but beautifully rounded,
figure to perfection.
i have called to see Mrs. Joyce" said
Jack, after pause of hesitation.
He had removed his steel helmet with it's
luxuriant plume, but in his gorgeous full
dress uniform of polished breastplate, buck
skin breeches and high boots, with his cank-
Ing sabre, young Master Jack made a suf-
hciently imposing figure.
"Yes?" replied the pretty inmate of the
room. inquiringly. will you come in and sit
DOWN."
Jack did so forthwith, in evident expecta-
ton of his guardians speedy arrival.
Probably the young lady was in her charge
and Jack had already formulated an earnest
desire that such should be the case.
very jolly down here in Brighton, just
now, isn't t?" he said as he seated himself
PLENTY Of people about, although, of course
1t isn't the correct season."
oh! it is lovely" was the enthusiastic
reply, given as two small hands clasped them
selves together ecstatically. 1T is more
charming than anything have ever dreamed
of"
The Kings Road and Parades, thronged
with their fashionable crowds the West Pier
with its graceful pavilians and the bright
Dlue sea dotted with pleasure craft, on a
lovely afternoon in May, combined to make
pleasant picture indeed, but one so famil-
la" to Jack that he could not forbear a smile
at the speakers enthusiasm.
AN! daresay you cannot understand how
enchanting all this is to anyone who has
peer hVlng for years on a lonely African
1atIn, she added, on seeing it, and at the
same time a puzzled little frown appeared
on her fair brow
she was wondering what could be the OBJ
?ect OF this gorgeously- attired and pleasant
looking young officers visit, whilst he was
devoutly hoping that his venerable guar
dian would defer putting in an appearance
as long as possible.
Clad in the imposing uniform which hid
M oh oh
looked somewhat older than was actually the
case.
Surely you have not lived long in the
Wlids of African" he said inQuringly
Except when at school and short time
at the university, I have lived all my life
on the farm" was the reply.
L suppose they have a sort of Girton out
at the Cape?" said Jack to himself mus
ingly.
Then he said aloud
L suppose you came over with Mrs. Joyce
as your chaperon?'
The pretty girl facing him looked IN in
smiling surprise
i am Mrs. Joyce!" she said, quietly
Jack stared at her hard for a moment in
speechhess astonishmeht, and then ftarfiped
up 10 the full height of his six feet, with a
Why" he exclaimed AaySo You 81 Surely don't
mean to say that you're my GUARDIAN
She rose to her feet in equal establishment,
and with some dismay plainly depicted on
her expressive features
AS she did so, j tex caught sight of her
wedding ring, which he had not noticed be-
fore.
"Your guardian!" she uttered. "Why.
whatever is your name? There must be some
mistaken"
oh! no, there isn't. I'm Jack Forester
right enough replied that young man,
hastily.
Young Mrs. Joyce's height extended to
about the young officers shoulder, and she
now reduced it by sinking feebly into her
chair again.
"Oh, good gracious!" she exclaimed st
thought you were a schoolboy."
And 1 thought you were an antiquated
party of about seventy or eighty"
oh! but your uncle didn't mean me: he
must have intended poor auntie to have been
your guardian.
"Auntie?" said Jack, inquiringly.
Yes, poor uncles-I-I mean my husbands
first WIFE," stammered Jacks guardian.
And, in response to the young officers
puzzled inquiries she related to him her past
life, and the events which had led to her
marriage.
When her narrative was concluded Jack
sat staring in so whimsical a fashion that
his companion at length gave utterance to
little peal Of ripping laughter, that was
very pleasant to hear
Her charge instantly Joined in, and guard
ian and ward were for some moments con-
vulsed With hilarity.
L can hardly believe that you are
widow" said Jack, little later.
The girl became instantly subdued again,
anf the saddened, far-away look which Jack
mad noticed first seeing her reappeared in
ne" expressive hazel eyes.
Her grief at the loss of her benefactor was
not yet nearly healed, but the excitement of
The voyage and of all the surroundings so
new to her, had combined to make events in
South Africa seem very distant and to have
ocCIIl ed long since
Neither Jack by any means unfeeling,
bat al. twenty lcng-continued grief is neither
n he own RfoH