The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-29

in q woman, the other things make them
abnormally unfeminine."
Il don't care snap for independence,
woman's suffrage and such nonsense"
replied Marcia with a smile.
Your privileges are greater now than
your rights would be, you know
"Oh, yes" Again those dimples danced
before the infatuated young mans eyes.
81 always have my own way and that's
all 1 care for. Honestly, L like it best
because it Is given me, not because 1
take 1t as a right"
'It wouldn't be hard to give 1t to you.
The fact is 1 don't believe I could help
it, he remarked.
"Then We'll be great friends, If we see
each other again, mean
Jack mentally determined that they
should see each other and that right Of
ten. Acting upon this resolve he applied
himself to their general welfare until he
had made himself an indispensable addi-
ton to their travelling party long before
they reached Rome; and that with Mrs.
Van Brunt's entire approval. Drives,
expeditions. moonlit nights followed in
rapid succession, filling the weeks as they
fell rapidly, while Jack abandoned himself
to the pleasant task of falling hopelessly
in love- A cyntc by nature, he despised
that nature, and craved the SingleneSS Of
thought and purpose which this girl en-
bodied to him. Never before had he
loved as now, and he longed for favor
able moment to speak to her and to hear
from her own lips that she loved. He
was convinced that she did, for every ac-
ton. every glance betrayed the girls
heart to her lover glance.
| Shortly after his arrival he had written
| to his friend.
Dear BILL have at last found the
woman have been searching for. l wish
IL, h rI7%
share my happiness. She is just my ideal
! "a healthy, whole-souled girl who tWines
herself around mans heart, teaching
him the delights of shielding the woman
! of the world for him, and, it must be ad-
mitted, of yielding to the capricious little
lady's whims. No striving for unattain-
goodness! Poor fellow, you took it so to
heart when that little wretch wrecked
your home that I felt all women were no
good. But, Billy, my boy, when you see
! her, when you know her-well, when you
| do Yours. Jack.
"P. S.-she is Miss Marcia Van Brunt.
Her mother is Dragon and her sister
even worse. II you've never met them
you'll recognize my description. But, of
! course, you have not for you are not in
love By the way, your matrimonial ex-
per1ence was so brief that never met the
little wretch. The whole thing was SO
quick that I never even heard her name,
! and she was only my love-, etc., in your
letters: Odd that thought should strike
Shortly after dIspatching this letter
| fate smiled upon Jack. They had planned
an excursion into the environs, but on
the appointed day Mrs. Van Brunt awak-
| ened with such a severe headache that
she was unable either to accompany them
| herself or to dispense with her youngest
daughters attendance.
Jack reiolced openly, determined that
this should be the decisive moment for
him. AS they were leaving the hotel the
clerk handed him a letter, but In his Ella
ton over the unwonted tete-a-tete he
| thrust it unopened into his pocket
! A tantaltzing spirit of inquiry possessed
Marcia that day. She skirted the danger,
Gus topic of his incognito, and willfulIy
nt1sconstrued his every sentence Finally
he forced the conversation into a fresh
channel
II lead very lonely life," sighed this
,artful young man, hoping to storm the
fortress of her womans heart with sym
pathy. I have no ties and no one tc
care for me-"
You seem to survive fairly WELL" she
retorted, with a side glance at the vel
groomed mourner. Perhaps your friend:
help your
81 can't bear them"
What! How about me? I'm youl
friend"
II don't want you for friend Friend
ships all very well in its way, but ]
don't like the way
You Philistine! You don't mean to say
that you don't believe in friendship
mot as do in love. Marcia, a gooG
woman's love is the handspring of q
mans life" he burst forth Marcia
can't you see that I want you to hell
me? Won't you stay with me forever
dear?" and he drew her toward him
with a tender gesture. She let her head
rest upon his shoulder; then. with con
fding. childlike pout, she murmured:
But I don't really know who you
really are"
Answer me first, then I'll tell YOU"
| But
: Surely you love me for myself. dear?'