The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-18
m2afe0 by a PaQvm.
A. E. Tanning Foster in the Royal 1agazine.


had brought about the usual result Ham
lyn was not an intlammable man. He
had reached the mature age of thirty
not unsought after-without having sue
cumbed to feminine charms. But there
was something about the fair American
which fascinated him in spite Of him
self
Today, as she came into the room, a
perfect vision of freshness and loveliness
in the gloomy atmosphere of the tenn
pie, Hamlyn was conscious of a certain
shyness and reserve in her manner that
he had not noticed before
II don't believe I ought to come here
by myself, she said as she closed the
door. II wonder what Aunt Catherine
would say to IT.
You are late" said Hamlyn. 'I have
been waiting impatiently for you"
Am I, really?" replied Alice. What Is
the time. then?"
He pulled at his watch chain mechani-
cally. forgetful of his escapade, and dis
closed the bare swivel. He colored slight
ly as he realized his mistake and felt
her eyes upon him. but answered lightly:
About twenty minutes past l, fancy"
She was walking around the room,
| glancing at the ponderous-loolking books
and the papers tied with pink tape. get
ting, as she expressed 1t, the "atmos-
phere' of the place.
1T must be just lovely to work here
she said. Everything seems so old and
historic. I believe l should only have to
sit here few hours a day and should
become a lawyer by breathing the air"
Which reminds me-" said Hamlyn,
that L have been breathing air quite
long enough and want lunch. Where
shall we go?"
| Alice Valentine hesitated
to say something to you. You have been
! taking me about such lot, and 1 have
done nothing for you. I feel real mean.
l want you to let me stand you a lunch
| today"
J He shook his head, laughingIy. "You
| forget" he said, that you are my guest;
but 1 want you to say where you would
! like to CO."
! He named a well known restaurant in
! Piccadilly, where she knew the prices
were ruinous.
No" she said, don't let us go there.
| VIII you take me to one of those little
bohemian places you told me of where
! you get table d'hote lunch for eighteen
pence. 1 should love to go. 1t would be
new experience"
"You look too smart" he replied, glanc-
ing at her admiringly, "but I tell you
what I will do We Will split the differ
|
able place where you shall see all sorts
and conditions of people and hear a
band"
Once or twice during lunch, when con-
versation tagged, Hamlyn noticed again
the thoughtful expression on her face.
At first he took the matter up.
''Teil me- he said, what you are
thinking off,
81 was thinking" she replied slowly.
''of how could help some one who has
been very good to me-"
mot a difficult matter, surely-for
your"
'It Is very difficult" she said, under
| the circumstances. The person l want to
I help is poor. ard, | think, very proud"
She was looking down at the table
cloth, and studiously avoiding his eyes.
Can be Of any assistance?" he said.
"You-Why-" she laughed. eyes, per-
haps you can. I will think about it and
let you know"
There was a new sympathy in her voice
and manner, and Hamlyn felt mad de-
sire to take her there and then in his
| arms and cover her face with kisses.
| But there was no opportunity then to
tell her Of his love. Immediately after
lunch they were obliged to hurry off to
meet Miss Stafford al a matinee, and Ham
| lyn had no further chance Of a tete-a-tete
with Alice, but he arranged satisfactorily
a meeting for Monday afternoon, when he
determined to put his fate to the test
''You will not forget" he said at part
ing, ito let me help you in the matter
you mentioned?"
mo" she replied. with singular look
on her face. "I will not forget"
AS Everard walked home he recalled
her tones, her face, the fair, flushed
cheeks, sweet mouth, earnest brows and
eyes of sGftest fire. There was that ir
her look which satisfied him.
/ He was awakened from his reVerie By
an urchin inquiring what o'clock it was
For the second time that day he mechan
ically tugged at his watch chain.
"ConfOund itT' he exclaimed. as he re-
allied his loss. 81 never knew that 4
was such a nuisance to be without
watch. l must get 1t out first thing OF
Monday morning."
The urchin, grasping the situation, raj
away grinnlng.
On Sunday HamlyR again bethought
himself of the watch
Il had better study the ticket" he said
land see what I shall have to pay"
He fumbled In his waistcoat pocket; II
| was not there. He tried the others with
| the same result. With growing uneasi-
! ness he searched in every pocket of the
| clothes he had worn on the Saturday
| but the pawn ticket was not to be found
81 must have left 1T at my chambers >
he decided at last. "It Is very careIes.
Of me. 1 hope my clerk won't find It,"
On Monday morning he got I'D earlier
than usual and drove down to the fem.
pie in hanson. His clerk had ALREADY
arrived. Hamlyn searched all over the
knEy EUl