The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19

with Lady Lillian. There is no reason why
should You are her paid companion. You
are expected to escort her everywhere or any,
where. Your place is by her SIDE but if you
were seen in the hunting field with him, even
though accompanied by his sister, the world
always so prompt to criticize womans con-
duct, especially when she is poor, good look
ing, and young-would at once say that you
were setting your cap at him, and 1 know
that were such a rumor to reach your ears
IT IT would pain and distress you as greatly as
it would myself and your mother
Indeed it would, father; but surely"
protested Odille, flushing holly
My dear child, 1 am better acquainted
With the world than you are-better than
most men, thnk-and know how scathing
and often unjust care it's criticisms of the
most innocent actions You cannot be too re-
served in your manners, so as to give no oc-
casion for scandal. Because you happen to
be a remarkably handsome girl, there is all
the more reason for your holding yourself
proudly aloof. If a daughter of mine were,
even without deserving it, to be lightly
spoken of, 1 think it would kill me- 1t would
certainly break my heart he added, gently.
But, child, how pale you are! Have I said
anything to hurt wound you? / did not
mean to find fault with you. Indeed, have
no fault to lind. am not given to praising
over-much, but I may tell you this, Odlle,
that not day passes but 1 thank Heaven
for giving me such a daughter
"Oh, father don't!" cried the young girl.
growing paler still. Il don't deserve such
praise.
Yes, you do, and more, Odie I value you
at your true worth. You good and duti
full child, but you will never know how dear
you are to me, because am, like most Eng
lishmen, undemonstrative, and I can't de-
scribe what I feel But if I don't say much
think more. You have never caused me an
hours grief or uneaSineSS, amoment's shame.
Best of all,'' he continued, pressing tenderly
the arm that rests his; you have never
deceived me; and you have done wisely, for
deceit in you is the one thing 1 should find it
hardest, if not impossible to forgive"
| Odille had by this time recovered her COM
posture, though it cost her effort to do so.
and if she were still somewhat paler than
usual, her father ascribed it to the emotion
his praises had called Earthquakes which
indeed fell from his lips rarely enough to
take Odille by surprise, but which at this
moment seemed to her like Goals Of fire heap
ed upon her head. AS she looked away from
him he did not see the anguish in her troubled
eyes.
"The earl has been our benefactor-our
providence" continued Fergus Thorne, as he
paced the shrubbery walk by his daughters
side. Had he not come forward so gener-
ously at the moment when ruin threatened to
overwhelm us, and offered me the post of
land agent to this estate, 1 dare not think
what our fate would have been. We can
never be grateful enough to him, OF do
enough to prove our gratitude. 1 would will
lhngly give my life for his, and I hope he
knows it, Nothing succeed the considera-
ton he shows my wife in what might, but
for his kindness, be a most painful position
for her." Here the speaker paused for a mo-
ment then he continued: However pleasant
and courteous he may be in his manner to-
wards you, Odille-and I have observed es.
pecially during the last few weeks, that he
has paid you great deal Of attention-I hope
that you will not attach an undue Importance
to these civilities.''
"Oh, father"
my dear child, do not imagine for mo.
ment that l accuse you of seeking in any
way to attract the earPs attention 1 know
you have too much pride and self respect for
that, but should not like you to make YOUR
self unhappy The earl is young man, and
a man of the world. If he pays you a COM
pi1ment, you must remember that compli-
ments are the current coin of conversation
OF men and women in the society in which
he moves, and mean nothing but pure gal.
lantry. If say what 1 have said it is be.
cause don't want you to take his attentions
attentions such a gentleman may with
out the least overstepping the bounds of re-
spect, pay any young and pretty woman
for more than they are worth However
much he might ADMIRE you he could never
marry you; and even were he to ask you to
be his wife-which is highly improbable-I
consider that, under the circumstances IL
would be your duty to refuse his offer"
'And should certainly do So father" was
the young girls reply, pronounced in a tone