The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16
risen. She had not long to wait for her

have got!" she said in her pretty voice.
1t was Angela Wildhay; she had only met
her hostess for the first time a week ago, out
a mutual attraction had at once drawn them
together in firm band Of affection. she
held her flowers for Mrs. tBellairs to admire,
her small, delicately tinted face, with its re-
nned, naughty features, and large Deautl1ul
lustrous eyes, glowing with delight.
MACLEOD has been generous to me, hasn't
hep"
You must have touched his heart" laugh
ed Mrs. Bellairs; for l wanted some of those
roses this morning, and the despot declared
they were not ready for cutting. How did
you manage it, dear?"
81 fattered him very, very much" shaking
her head 'sagely, "a gardener needs very
large amount of f1attery, dear Mrs Bellairs,
or else he's as obdurate as-I cannot think of
any comparison, you?"
Il do not think can-unless we say as OBJ
durate himself"
And have some white heather, too-real
moorland white heather, which I have wish
ed to see so much. Macleod wouldn't gather
II Ior me-he said it was a fancy in these
parts to gather itnone's self and then to give
it away to bring another's happiness"
-'.Yes, it is an old fancy Mrs. Bellairs'
eyes frightened, for she remembered as if it
were yesterday, her husband gathering a
spray for her the first year they were to-
gether at Wander Hall, little spray which
she still kept among her deepest treasures
the small trivialtieS that so worthless in
themselves and yet beyond price to their
possessors because Of the recollections they
bring to mind.
Angela Wildhay detached a spray from
her bunch. lovely blush came over her
face, and shy hesitancy in her manner.
You have made me so happy. Can-may
1 give you pece?" she asked.
Mrs. Bellairs bent forward and took the
flowers from the girls hand
Thank you, dear" she said, simply, draw
ing the girl to her, and kissing her tenderly,
first on one cheek and then on the other.
Then she released the girl gently and fas-
tened heather ia a
throat, securing it with glittering diamond
pin. The carriage drove up, and they could
hear cherry voice calling out a greeting.
"It is Alured," said Mrs Bellairs, quickly
Angela Wildthay bowed.
Au revoir," she said, for she knew her
hostess would prefer to greet her grandson
alone, and she left the ROOM and went
through the antechamber.
AS she stood turning the handle, the door
opened Suddenly There was a step leading
up from the corridor, and the opening over
balanced her, and for the second time in her
life she fell into the arms of Allured Bellairs.
To him, coming from the slight gloom of
the corridor, her figure against the open door
had all the effect of being bathed in radiance.
He could not sreak; a strange dumbness
weighed heavily on him; and he looked at
her face with a gaze ardent and full of
loye that, had she seen it, she would have
diYined his secret-the e:secret :, which. was
scarcely as yet revealed to him in it's full
beauty-+the love he cherished for her1a5
She raised her eyes as he balanced her, and
then forgot the words she was about to say.
':Ah," she cried, in a tone of gladness 81
am glad to see you. I meant meant am
glad to see you"
Her beating heart would scarcely let her
speak. She colored holly with maiden shame
at the avoWal something outside herself had
made her speak; and then, gathering herself
together for supreme effort, she bowed and
passed swiftly as she could all her
senses throbbing with strange feeling
that was at once joy and pain in it's ecstacy
of newly awakened life.
Her voice ringing in his ears and the re-
membrance of her slight form being support
ed against his shoulder, filled Alured with an
intense pleasure A thrill of Joy coursed
through all his veins; he gazed after her
longing, and yet not daring to detain her
and overjoyed with the subtle rich intoxica-
ton of love. AS she disappeared he sighed
and turning to enter the room, found at his
feet a spray of white heather from her hand
full of flowers.
He stopped and picked it up Lovers are
proyerbially lacking in wisdom, or it may be
that life becomes so transformed for them
that the smallest things gain significance
before unthought Of for Alured pressed the
flower passionately to his lips.
1t is good omen" he said exultantly to
himself. "Oh, know I'm not worthy Of an
angel like that-but-but-God knows. I'll do
my best to win her!''
He put the flower carefully away in his
pocketbook. and then turned to meet his
grandmother, bending his tall head to meet
her loving Kisses and giving an additional
warmth in his greeting to her because of the
joy that had SO suddenly come upon him.
After they had talked for a short time
Alured asked what guests were in the house.
and Mrs. Bellairs named them. The name of
Count Solski, amongst the Others attracted
Alureds attention. and he started slightly.
Count Solsk? He was connected with
the Wildhay murderi'' he said
Eyes, my dear Alured, but knew him long
before he went to Siberia. He was, and is, a
most, accomplished man, little embittered,