The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-26

sholter," I said. DO you know, I have al
ways supposed you to be self-centered, un-
expansive sort of man.
Here Shoter looked up at quickly and,
as thought, with an expression of challenge.
1ut he said nothing, so 1 went on in an
apologetic and explanatory tone:
What mean is, you are not the sort Of
man an TO whom-to whom-that is
10 whom anyone would feel kindly enough
10 send present at Christmas. Yes, you
dld dld Wen. Just listen to this-came with that
handkerchief by mail. See? By MALL" And
he read aloud, My dear Mr. Sholter 1 wish
not only to wish you the compliments of this
blessed season, but to express to you as we'll
as l can by this little gift that there is at
ieaI5 5J,, one friend friend who appreciates you
m! From a young lady, 1 said.
Wen, not exactly young lady" Shelter
ho4 tep,lea, rather oracularly, I thought, as he
haetened a ST m ,; to fold up the letter and put it
with that umbrella-'Wishing a Merry
christmas and Happy New Year to really
good fellow whom the world at large does
not respect That's nice, isn't it?"
Does ones heart good to hear it, 1 said.
Sholter" w.
how How do you mean," he asked, suspiciously
How do 1 mean? Why all these ladies'"
Ihey are not ladies' he interrupted Just
nsten to this. This was folded up inside
the oox With those studs. Came by mall
registered, cannot let Christmas pass with
out sendlng you little token to testify to
my appreciation of your many sterling quali-
ties of both head and heart. Others NAV fail
TO see this, but do not. Believe me, in deep
and cordial regard, yours etcetera- What
DO you think of that?"
What makes him emphasize your-your
unappreciatedness?" I asked cautiously
a bit of it, N 1>0'
!. IL struck me-" I said; that all these gen
uemen e1 seem to take a defiant attitude"
!hey aren't gentlemen at all,' Shelter
again interrupted me.
'WhateVer thew NAV he eoid. ..+ho,,
seem to be unanimous"
what do you mean by that?" he asked,
turning very red in the face
N4tnlng that you need take any offense
d., salo. only, if you don't mind my re-
marking 1t, haven't you yourself been struck
by the uniformity of sentiment so to sneak
IN IN all these Christmas compliments? Really
Sholter, l don't think that your personal
worth is so very much of a secret as these
l don't" ieA''
J.. You don't" he asked, with a pathetic turn
in his voice. w 'N-i'
TINS inner brotherhood who think your vir
tues ees nav; nave ben revealed to them alone?'
Snolter @ seemed to hesitate before answering.
-,i1d niiae' a ne SAID, when he had made up his
Hllno TO answer at ALL Il want you to tell
me somethlng-honestly, now. Don't peonIe
fellow?' oii0S liip0'1lellc
People generally do not" I answered
promptly. Like all steady strict hnsineSs
Ynen, you are regarded by the crowd whom
may call the cocktail -before-dinner crowd
as rather, slow and-and-"
And what?"
well. ladies-to be quite frank-are rt+,o
AFRAID OF you-think that you think Won know
~ I'll tnat you will think-that they are after
yoe.r e money. You can't help that, being a
successful money-Inaker can Won p"
II hard on me-" Shelter said sbaline bis
neaG Sadly. But you have comforted me"
he smiled mysteriously to himself for
while IN silence, then he said:
L believe 1 ought to confess all r. ,o,,
II may help you to sympathize with me ;,
"Confess?" 1 said, in some asfonisbn,o,+ M1rn n,e
Confess what?" ieiiiiieht'
Il sent them"
Sent What?'
These presents"
You mean that
;. sem them to myself. couldn't stand
Hhano - amotneI Cnrlstmas old fellow. So many
Chrlstmaises had passed since NV last 80
tive dled, and nobody seemed to care fo "a 20
just played like child, at getting Chris.
mas preseLIs. Don't laugh at me If made
nT happy 1Cr week or two. 1t did indaed ),
The thing struck me as about The 80
pathetic happening had met with in a ss ions
the back. onolter on
"Sholter," I said, suddenly insni,oa ar
would like to bet that you won't have to -,a l. !,
5nls Ghs,sy merry bait expensive. game another
That's easy for you," he said .eyor how
only to send me a case of wine or sortla La aVe
next Christmas" VI 0oliethng
Il won't send you anything"
Ihen you'll tell someone else 70 o5
something's ~ sehd me
NO, | won't. III simply take NV chances
on what 1 know" NY chances
Sholter smiled obviously. but yot hiv -
take the beta new hat iiiiii ~
ne pound ne to secrecy about his nrasents
tba tHf not h less than one year, and l have kent
tile oohu But 1t wsaS not two months 80
TINS memorable visit that I met q a an.er
5 Moliiah-one OF several women-whom kneH,
ana whom Shelter also knew tbouoL hnew