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

BLESS my SOUL what an amazing thing!"
cried Lord Godalming. Philip Carruthers
not dead! Well, he's a lucky fellow if ever
l heard of one! Well, we'll, to be sure!"
Mrs. Page hardly able to grasp the incred-
ible words that are poured into her ears, sim
ply stands staring
And what does Tom Carruthers saw about
it?' proceeds Lord Godalming, with uplifted
eyebrows of wonder.
He is almost out of his mind with Joy,
poor fellow returns Mrs. Spencer Fame 81
left the whole room round him, congratu-
lating him. What pity it is he should suf-
fer at all by his brothers resurrection, for
suppose all will be as it was before. 1 won
dered what had happened about five minutes
ago, when l met him at the door of the ball
room as pale as a sheet, with his face lit
orally TRANSPORTED with delight, I thought
- but she comes to stop suddenly, as
though the words she had been about to ut
ter will not be quite pleasing to one of her
companions
DO you think the thing is likely to be
true, thought" Mrs. Page at length RECEIVERS
her wits sufficiently to inquire in as natural
voice as she could assume under the dire
full blow which fate has dealt her.
True? Oh, yes! I believe there is not the
slightest doubt of that. 1t appears Philip
Carruthers was picked up, and taken on to
Hong Kong and was i'll there for a time with
fever, so that altogether everything con-
spi1 ed to favor the idea that he was drowned
with the rest on board his yacht. His brother
understands he will be here almost directly
escape" murmurs Mrs. Page, but she says
it with pale lips, and the shock has been such
a severe one that she is trembling from head
to foot, and looks entirely different wom-
an, Philip Carruthers not dead! Then what
about her plans in regard to Tom?
AS soon as Mrs. Spencer-Fane has passed
on and 1t is possible for her to get rid of her
most with due regard to courtesy, Mrs. Page
takes nasty turn alone in one of the carri-
doris to consider the situation. Tom Car
ruthers in one moment has been converted
into an enemy to be feared and fought
against.
There is only one dance between this and
the one he has arranged with Daisy whenthat
momentous question is to be asked and
answered. Mrs. Page does not believe for
an instant that he will have the sense to
CgEize his altered position and retire mag
unanimously into the background so she sees
that it devolves upon herself to act, and that
with the utmost energy and despatch. Daisy
must not keep the appointment they have
made, for the supper dance she must be
missing.
Mrs. Page has said to herself only this
evening that she is a most fortunate mother,
In that she and her only daughter have never
mad serious difference of opinion in their
lives; but that fact she feels now has been
owing to circumstances and moi. to weakness
upon Daisy's part, and she seems instinct
lxely to comprehend that IL this 1 matter now
that it has gone 50 far, Daisy Would not sub
init to be her tool for a moment, but would
summon up the courage to think and act
for herself Nay, it is almost certain that
were she made aware of Tom Carruthers'
changed circumstances, she would insist upon
clngfng to him as foolshly any eighteen
year-old maiden of romance, and openly rebel
against any dictum that all thought of him
must be done away with. Therefore Mrs.
Page recognizes that if she is to succeed in
detaching her daughters affections from Tom
Carruthers she must use such tact and eau
ton that Daisy will never suspect her OBJ
Ject 1t is Daisy Mrs. Page feels she must
CHI
she is convinced, without difficulty.
The first step is naturally to find Daisy at
once, and prevent her if possible from hear
ing a whisper of the disastrous tidngs which
have changed Tom Carruthers from most
eligible sutton to an utterly hopeless detr-
mental.
Mrs. Page is in hopes that her daughter has
not yet been made aware of what has hap
pened, for a quarter of an hour ago she saw
her issue forth upon the terrace in company
with her partner of the previous dance and
the beauty of the night is such that her
mother guesses she will be in no hurry to
return any sooner to the heated ballroom
than can be avoided.
In haste Mrs. Page hurries to the ball-room
and glances round, but to her relief no Daisy
is there. She turns. however, to espy her
entering from the grounds, and her face is so
serene and unaltered, that her mother per-
celVeS at once that she is still in ignorance
of the event which is to change the whole
course of her life.
Daisy" she whispers, Fastening across,
Il want you at once, my dear, 1 have some
thing most important to say to you
Yes mamma, answers the girl wonder
, 1ngly; but am engaged for this dance you
know"
''Oh, you cannot remain for it, I'm afraid. -
replies Mrs. Page. Il shouldn't like you to
appear rude to anyone of course hut IT. q
absolutely necessary you should hear what
have to say; and if you are not seen dane
ing with anyone else, your partner will not