The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-14
Short Story Of
.fbe Dap, Sc Sss e
Chicago Tribun

Chicago Tribune.
Miss Campbell was from Philadelphia,
and she did not approve of sitting out
en- the front doorsteps. Even on hot Au-
Sust evenings, when every sensible per
son on the avenue was out in the open
air, wooing whatever breezes there were
20 be found she sat in solitary state in
her stUffy little bedroom or In the board
ing house parlor. 1t is a serious thing to
be a consistent martyre to ones prdn-
ciples.
One day Miss Campbell read in the af-
ternoon paper that the extreme heat had
driven fashionable London to its door
steps-that even within the sacred pre-
cincts of Mayfair doorstep parties" were
the thing. and that honorable Algernons
and Mauds smoked their cigarettes and
drank their cooling beverages out doors,
regardless of the passing crowd. That
evening, driven to 1t by longing Tor
fresh air, Miss Campbell decided to be
English. 1t was a good time for her ven
ture, for she was the only one at home.
Most of the boarders had gone to the
park; the rest We're bicycling. She had
the doorstep to herself. Really it was
not so dreadful, after all. The kindly
dusk hid all but the light waists or
gowns of the women on the steps OPP
poSite, while the men were distinguish
able only by the sparks at the ends Of
congratulation Margaret Campbell real
ized that no one would know that she
had departed from here principles.
II suppose I am old-fashioned?" she
thought, John used to say so when L
was only twenty, and ten years of lonely
life have hardly improved me-.
The warm breeze famed her cheek. She
settled herself comfortably back on the
cushions that she had brought from her
room and lazily watched the phantom
ike passersby. Troops of laughing girls
and bows hurried along the sidewalk, fol-
lowed by lover-like couples, creeping as
though to retard happy moments spent
together. Bicycles sped silently past IN
the street their lamps flashing like gi-
gantic firefys; carriages rolled by, her
aided by the mufied hoof beats OF their
horses; and, from time to time, automo-
biles whizzed by weirdly.
A solitary man came slowly up the
street He stopped at the foot or the
steps and then sat down not far from
Margaret.
'Do YOU mind my smokng?" he asked,
barely turning around.
Miss Campbell started; the voice SEEM
ed crriously familiar mot at all" she
replied little stiffly, cit will keep away
the mosquitoes" Then she felt herself
blushing at the foolishness Of the remark,
for there were no mosquitoes to be kept
away Ten years ago, one happy, never
to-be-forgOtten summer, she had been
often asked that question, and had made
the same rejOinder, much more appro-
priatey.
The man did not look at her while he
lighted his cigar, and she, absorbed in
thought, missed the brief illumination of
his features which followed the kindling
Of the match. There was a long silence,
broken at last by the newcomer. Rather
cooler" said he, as though continuing a
conversation.
yes" answered Margaret, still more
puzzled by the voice. This was not one
Of Mrs Lees boarders. She must hear
him speak again. 1t was not right that
q stranger should make her trenble so.
Were you ever at Long Branch?" she
asked abruptly.
The man turned toward her and she
could feel that he tried to penetrate the
darkness and see who it was that was
speaking Margaret was not the only one
who had been agitated by voice. Her
heart beat almost audibly.
Margaret Is it your" he cried.
YES JOHN, she answered, with
strange self-possession. She noted this
herself, and marveled that she should do
so at such a moment How could she
think about how she was speaking when
she had not seen him for ten years. How
came you here?
ct came up the wrong steps," John an
SAAOJ
have brought me to you"
1t ought to have been bewildering-this
unlocked for appearance Of the man who
had gone out of her life so long ago, new
er to return. Yet Margaret took 1t az a
matter of course,
''If you are glad, why didn't you come
before? I have wanted you So"
Il didn't know where you were," falter-
q John.
''Then the other was a mistage7"
AN a mistake, dear, and 1 have come
back to you.
He had risen, but now he sat down by
her side and reached out to take hel
hand Margaret let him have it, gladly
and they sat together and talked, as they
used to talk. 1t was as though they haC
never been parted. Margaret did not ask
for explanations, and John did not give
them. Yet she felt that they understood
each other
There was a merry burst Of laughter
= confused sound of voices; half a dozen
people around her were talking all al
once.
Why, here's Miss Campbell" cried a
lively girl. overlooking with good spirits,
Miss Campbell, who never sits on door
steps"
Gone back on your principles, Miss
Campbell?" asked q risky youth, who
was an incorrigible tease. 1T am amaz-
ed"
Margaret stood up dazed. The young
people had appeared suddenly. Yes the
heat drove me out, and I am glad that
1t did, Mr.. Young, for an old friend found
me quite by accident. Allow me to in
troduce him. John" she looked around,
but John was not there.
''You were all alone, Miss Campbell, -
volunteered Mr.. Young. Fast asleep and
dreaming, I declare"
Miss Campbell pulled herself together
nobly. $50 I was, said She GOOD
night everybody" and she turned around
and went into the house. The others fol-
lowed, with the exception of the two
youngest and happiest.
Poor Mss Campbell" whisp red the
girl, with keen intuition, 'I think she
was dreaming of her lover
Nonsense, Jennie; that's all your fan
cy. Miss Campbell is as prosaic as you
are imaginative"
"she is pretty" said Jennie; "she must
have had lovers. And she isn't old-wby
shouldn't she have one now?"
20, yes" answered Tom Young "she's
pretty and nice enough. But. Jennie, DOM