The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-10

, ment which is no longer a pleasure to
| him.
MY dear. dear Mildred" begged his
mother. do not speak so bitterly. 1 am
sure there is some misunderstanding
Mildred had turned very pale. and an
overwhelming conviction that Carl was
false to her came upon her with crush
ing force, put she summoned up cour-
age to face the truth
I'VE must find out" she said very gent
ly for the mothers distress was also very
great whether he is attentive to some
one else Have you ever noticed his taxi
ing pleasure in the society of any girl
here?"
"Oh, no." Mrs. Langiois replied hastily.
but suddenly her face changed. Surely"
she said, as II to herself che cannot care
for Marion Reed? And yet now that my
mind is drawn to II. l have noticed him
often with her. But Marion IL such a
gay little firt, and then she knew OF
Carl's engagement"
"Aht" Mildred said quickly, "that is not
enough to keep some girls from trying to
win away a mans love. 1t may be that
she has drawn him away from me. But
we must make sure, my dear friend-fOr
l feel that you are my friend-and II 1t
is true I will willingly give him up to
her If It is for his happiness"
They arranged it that AIildred's presence
In the house should be kept a secret from
Carl and that his mother al mealtime
should question him in a way not to
arouse his suspicious; so. as the tWO
sat alone at dinner, Mrs. Langlois care
lessy said:
What a charming girl Marion Reed is.
CARL"
Isn't she. mother?" he cried eathusias-
tically. DO you know she quite fascinates
me-"
Carl" his mother said gravely. chat
is not the way for man soon to be
married to another woman"
'Pshaw, mother" Carl exclaimed. i'm
patiently. you know I told you Mildred
would never set the day. and we may
never be married at ALL"
you are right, Mr.. Langlois, said Nil
dred. who had been unable to resist the
temptation Of listening unseen; you ara
right. We never will be married You
are quite welcome TO ask the fascinating
Miss Reed to be your wife. for I am
henceforth a stranger to you
Before Carl could recover from his as.
tonishment she was gone, and as her
train was just ready to depart she was
out of his reach. and the passionate pro-
tests OF affection which he was prepared
to make. the promises OF future fidelity.
were never uttered.
Now that he had lost her. Mildred ap-
peared to Carl as a precious treasure
which he would give anything to possess.
The attractions of Marion Reed paled into
insigniicance, and ne took the next train
in pursuit of Mildred hoping that he
could win her back.
But once assured Of the flaws in her
idol Mildred had cast him out of her
heart, and though it was sore it was not
broken. because she realized his unworthi-
ness. She refused to see Carl and re-
turned his letters unread Within a
week, mortified at his rejection. he had
offered himself 10 Marion Reed.
why. you're going TO marry some girl
, in Lawrence. she replied. opening her
blue eyes wldc.
mo. l am not" he said. shortly. ST
am going TO marry you if you will have
me-"
We'll. won't" replied the pretty flirt.
decidedly. II was only amusing myself
with you. my dear boy. I hope your heart
is not broken. she added mockingly. for
rumors of the true state Of affairs had
reached her ears.
Flirting is sometimes dangerous
game, my friend, especially II there Is a
jealous sweetheart at the other end OF
the line" she announced laughingly. And
with her mocking laughter ringing In hts
ears Carl Langlois walked away to re-
pent of his folly. by which he had lost
that greatest of gifts-a woman's love