The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-25


ideas as to what is the safest thing to
do in thunderstorm. My experience of
their quaintness in this respect was a
very brief one, but my recollections of 1t
are remarkably vivid and distinct
went down to Blessing to spend a fort
nights vacation with my Aunt Esther,
and the thunderstorm took place on the
morning after my somewhat sudden ar
rival. Immediately after breakfast the at
mosphere became hushed and sullen,
while clouds Of a heavy blush complex
ion gathered overhead. My aunt Viewed
these omens with manifest uneasness,
natural, thought, in a nervous old lady.
Presently she left me to myself, and I
retired to my own room to write letter
or two. This took me about an hour,
and the storm was still gathering when
had finished.
The hush which prevailed without SEEM
ed to have found its way to the inmost
quarters of my aunt's household, for
there was not a sound to be heard any
where. After some trouble I discovered
Aunt Esther in the library, seated in an
easy chair, with her eyes fast closed. The
expression she wore was one Of intense
pain.
Good gracious, aunt" I cried, what
on earth is the matter?"
She opened her eyes suddenly. Dear
me, Harold" she said mildly, chow you
ter. 1t is the thunderstorm"
THE thunderstorm"
Yes. 1 am very nervous about thun-
- der. and 1 have found that the best thing
to do is to try to forget it. 1 sit down
with my eyes closed and try to concen-
trate my thoughts upon something else.
Indeed, have found this plan most sue
cessful."
Really" asked. care all Of your
servants doing the same?"
YES" answered the old lady, gravely.
'I have ordered them to do So"
This accounted for the prevailing 81
lence. The cook, the housemaid, and
probably the gardener were all sitting
down in the kitchen with their eyes clos
ed, trying hard to concentrate their
thoughts on anything but the storm.
Before 1 had quite realized this Aunt
Esther went on:
81 am not SO foolish as some people
about thunder. I know one person who
refuses to stay In the house at such times
because there are so many steel articles
about her. Mine, however, is a good plan,
and give my servants the full benefit Of
it. 1 think. Harold"
In another moment she might have or
dered me to follow the general example,
SO left the room hastily. I sat down in
the hall for few moments, to enjoy the
vision which her words had suggested,
stand and went into the garden.
Aunt Esther's garden, which I had not
seen for some ten years, was an extensive
and old-fashioned one, with wide walks
and the privacy secured by high stone
walls. On reaching the further end 1
found that the house behind me was quite
hidden from view by the abundance Of
foliage. Before me was the wall, COW
cred by peach and pear trees, and against
the wall stood a light hand ladder. The
gardener had left it there when he had
been called in to concentrate his thoughts
upon something else.
l felt an idle curiosity to know what
was on the other side of the wall. Prob
ably should find field, or perhaps an
other garden With cautious steps I be-
gan to mount the ladder 1 am inquisi-
tive by nature.
Slowly my head rose above the wall. 1t
was a large garden that came into view,
with a house half concealed among the
trees. Everything was very STILL and
there seemed to be nobody about.
raised myself another step, to make
closer scrutiny.
Then gave a start, and for a moment
drew back 1t was only for moment,
for then, with increasing boldness,
was peering down at the scene which had
startled me.
Just below, built against the wall, was
kind Of rustic summer house, 1t was
wooden erection, covered with ornamen-
tai bark SO frequently used for flower
boxes. There was no door, but 1t was
open at the end, and within I could see
a couple of . tall carpet chairs and
wicker table On the table lay two books,
one Of them open, and In one OF the chairs
sat lady. The first glance told me she
was fast asleep; the second, that she was
young and charming-Quite young, and
decidedly charming!
For some seconds l could only gaze
helplessly. She sat leaning back, with
her face turned in my direction, and a
Tam o. Shanter cap set daintily upon
her head Her gloveless hands were de-
lightfully white and small
When had observed all these points
mounted step higher
Let me say here that 1 am shockingly
susceptible, and exceedingly romantic
The sound of girls voice, the very rus
tie of her skirts, can always set my pulse
in rapid motion while am prepared to
read the opening of a romance in sim
pie chance meeting or in the commonest
everyday remark. AS a rule 1 am shy
and reserved but, like some other men
Of this character, I can occasionally act
in an absolutely reckless and daredevil
way. These facts must be taken in ex-
PLANTATION of my further conduct.
1 gazed upon that picture for another
minute. Then I mounted another step.
Again I gazed for space, and then
found myself astride the wall. BY this
time the spirit of adventure was In me.
and 1 was capable of any madness. A
thousand foolish and romantic fancies
came rushing to my brain. / was already
in rove.
Who and what the sleeper was. her
name nature and station-all these had
nothing to do with the matter Happy
chance and a providental thunderstorm
had led me to the spot. The same thun-
derstorm, no doubt, had sent her to sleep
with the book open before her.
looked the ground carefully over but
there was no sign of life. While 1 was
doing this I thought 1 heard the sleeper
stir but when 1 glanced quickly down
she was as still as ever. with perfect eau
+ion I lifted the ladder over and let 1t
down on the other side. moment later
was In the entrance to the summer
house.
Save for the breathing of the sleeper
the stiffness was almost painful. 1t &C.
Cured to me once to wonder what she
would saw If she found me there, but
did not trouble to answer the question.
had read of similar cases before ano
everything always came out nicely. vi
course she would see at once the romance
and beauty of the situation. l felt quite
eure Of this when I saw that the oooH
+afore her was a. volume of Tennyson
onen at 1.-THE Coming Of Arthur" MY
own name Is Arthur-Harold Arthur
Simpson.
She was absolutely charming. Beneath
the rakish cap stray curls of dark, glossy
hair wandered down to the graceful little
aere and about the ivory temples Tht
chaeka were rather pale, and the lips