The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-28

and stares down at the floor would hardl.
be called fortunate 1 think by the world
At the time 1 knew her she had everything
she could wish for-I mean her parents Wer
seemingly wealthy people, but at he
fathers death it was found that he had lit
orally nothing, and that she would have t.
support herself, and 1 suppose she did SO il
the only way she could. Therefore she coult
not have found life too easy either"
Why do you say you suppose she support
ed herself?" asks Daisy.
Because l only can suppose. l have NJ
means of knowing for certain returns Phil
rather abruptly. Il was away from home
enjoying myself in Egypt, when the smash
that meant everything to her came abou
and though we had been friends for year.
almost brought up together 1 might say
have never heard anything of her since, o.
seen her, for when 1 got back she had dis
appeared from the county leaving no trac
behind her. 1 imagine she let herself b.
swallowed up in London, as so many othe
unhappy people are
But if she thought of nothing but music
she might not have been so unhappy, ever
if she lost al her money! argues Daisy
gently. Not as badly off as some people
mean, who have no interest in life"
I used to think she only cared for it," say
Phil dreamily," but I don't know. I ma!
nave; been mistaken. 1t is six years ago
She was girl, after all. and perhaps nigh
read her with different eyes now
Was she very pretty?" asks Daisy ane
she speaks in a rather subdued voice, for i
is evident that Mr.. Carruthers still feels tn,
disappearance of his boyhood's friend rathe
deeply.
Not pretty at ALL" he returns; but tina
| didn't matter. She was genius. Now, Mis-
Page with a change of tone, another ice.'
mo, no moreno more of anything say:
| Daisy. feverishly, anxious that he shall take
! himself away. Il must go and speak tt
Margaret" standing up ct can See hel
looking at me, and l am sure she wants me
Perhaps, in sudden terror, mamma is going
home''
She does not guess that such a thought il
very far from Mrs. Pages mind, and tina
she herself is considered to be behaving
! bee utifully.
I'll take you across to her, then" say:
Phil, rather reluctantly, and afterwards
fancy1ng he may be in the way, he departs
Margaret is cross; her cousin does no
know why, and does not seem inclined TO
conversation, presently Daisy nerves her
self for a great effort, and, as Tom does no
show the slightest symptom of an intention
I to notice her, she slips round unobserved
until she stands behind him among a mas
of people, and timidly touches him on the
| sleeve with her hand.
''Oh, how do you do, Miss Pager" he the1
says, politely turning at once, and shaking
| hands with her What jolly evening ism
it? I don't know when I remember anything
so enjoyable-things so well mana ged-anc
not too hot, is it?''
mo, not at ALL stammers Daisy, terribl,
taken aback by his manner which is that O
a pleasant acquaintance and far more i'm
! pepetrable than the angrest or coolest al
he had chose to assume would have seemed
! to her. IL haven't seen you for a long
| time"
NO; almost a fortnight, I should think,
says Tom, smiling again
Almost a fortnight! Is it possible tina
these horrible three weeks have seemed onl!
almost fortnight" to him?
II wanted to congratulate you abou
your brother" she goes on, looking SO ia
from congratulating anyone that Tom would
have been amused did he regard her will
less contempt. st know how fond you wer
of him, and how glad you would be to hav,
| hiTr1 back"
Yes, I was glad,' returns Tom, calmly
locking her full in the eyes with a stare thu
poor child does not understand And L hav
not seen any reason to be less glad since
'Of course not" she agrees, puzzled 'f
wanted to tell you L was pleased, for you
sake"
You are very kind" he returns, compos
edly
Il have just been talking to him." she con
tinues, for want Of something to say Ton
not helping her by word or manner.
Indeed"
"And-and he is quite nice, as you TOLD
me he was
Yes, Phil is a good fellow-most people
like him Do you know this song, Mis-
Page? It's rather a good one"
Some man is standing up to sing a strrins
extract from one of the comic operas, anC
the accompanist is running over the sym
phony.
NO" falters Daisy, on the verge of tears
says "Oh, you must listen to it then" Ton
says I'm sure you'll like it,, and h
whistles bar or two softly to himself whil
she wonders what has happened that h
Should have changed so towards her
They chat for minute or two at the enc
of the song-or, rather, Tom chats I'M thu
same pleasant, off-hand way to her, and thel
Daisy nerves herself for another effort.
Have 1 offended you in any way, Mr.. Car