The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-30

Harrington's reception, even at the risk of
causing his friends some going out of thel1
way
But, in spite of outward inconvenience the
fair handsome face of the Foreign Office
as he hurried along, humming softly the re
frain Of a sentimental drawing-room ballad
while idly lingering a faSt-fadlng orchld ne
had placed in his coat pocket for safety
thinking vaguely of pair of great Irish
blue eyes that had looked so frankly, yet
half mirthfully, into his own when he hao
begged that parting gift from a bouquet
Having reached his chambers, he was III
the act Of running sharply up the steps
when he stumbled and caught at the rail
ings to prevent himself from being flung
headforemost against the door, for he had
almost fallen across dark motionless form
huddled on the dripping stones.
STOPPING down he peered into the face Of
the recumbent figure, and by the dim light
of the street lamp. discovered him to be z
young man, who, with half-closed eyes anC
breathing heavily, lay helpless at his feet.
His first thought was to call a policeman
and hand over the individual, evidently in
toxicated and incapable, into his charge. Bu
not one was in sight, and meanwhile the
storm was increasing in violence.
Laying his hand upon his shoulder, Castle
maine lifted him into a sitting position-as
was easy enough to do seeing that he stood
six foot in his stockings, and was proper
tionately broad, while the other was a mere
STRIPPING in physique-and shook him sharply
Look here, my good fellow, my advice i.
that you rouse yourself and get home" hi
said, encouragingly. you'll catch your deaf
of cold in this binding storm"
81 cannot" was the faint, half sullen re-
ply, as with Philips help he regained hi:
feet and stood clingingS to the ratings fol
support. Il. can go no farther, I am desti
tute and starving"
Something in his whole tone and bearing
L. hi xryifh
ness, convinced Castlemaine of the truth OF
his words, and that this was no case o.
drunkenness, but one for immediate assist
ance, and taking out his latch key he flung
open the door, and motioned the fellow to fol
low him inside, then seeing that he was I'm
able to comply, went to his aid, and hal
leading, half carrying, drew him into the
dimly-lighted hall.
But the exertion was too much for the lat
ter'S strength, and uttering feeble moan, HI
sank into Philips arms in Inconsistencies.
1t was an awkward moment, for Castle
maine, like most Englishmen, hated scene
and dreaded to be caught in what might b.
termed quiXotic and risky action; and yet
here he was with a fainting youth in hi
arms, in the small hours of the morning
risking an encounter with the fellows own
ing the chambers above him, and the con
Sternation and amazement of a garrulou
1andlady, whose terror Of burglars and dread
of Suspicious-looking characters was as ludi
crouS as appalling.
Fortunately Philips chambers were on tn,
ground floor, only a few steps across thu
hall, and in a second he had carried his mo
tionless burden within, and, placing him in {
chair, applied such restoratives as he could
lay his hands on. While doing so. he. haG
leisure to examine his strange guest.
He was young man, somewhere between
eighteen and nineteen years of age-thougf
beside Philip, who was some six or sever
>years his senior, he appeared a mere youth
with his slender frame and beardless lip
and foreigner, as Castlemaine had at once
perceived, by his broken, but perfectly intel
sligible, English.
In features he was not unpleasant but the
deathly pallor of his olive skin, and the darl
circles round mouth and eyes, marred ar
otherwise handsome countenance.
At length, seeing that he was comins
round, Castlemaine flung off his dripping
coat, and, placing wine and biscuits on the
table, motioned the fellow to help himself
Then he turned up the lamp higher, anc
flung himself into a chair, placed in such E
position that he could watch without beins
observed.
Apparently absorbed in a cirgarette. he
noticed how voraciously advantage was
taken OF his invitation and the ravenous
CLEAN in those great sunken eyes, his owr
wandering almost with conjunction round
the handsomely furnished room betrayins
all the modern day luxuries but good TASTE
OF its occupant, from the Oriental rugs OF
the floor to the costly bric-a- brac and few
valuable oil paintings the wall-one of