The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-15
SHORT STORIES FOR LIGHT REaDING

| went again to look at himself In the mir
| ror, and felt gratihed to find himself
| looking sane and normal: a tinge of color
| had returned to- his face. He took the
! photograph of Margaret Tearle from an
| expensive frame and placed 1t carefully
| in his pocket. Then he looked through
! the square revolving bookcase for a
1 volume which it seemed was not there
| for he had to ring and thus disturb
Martha in her work of packing his port
| manteau.
| "a common prayer book!' echoed that
| astonished woman. Certainly, sir,
can lend you one"
He found the service that he desired
| to read at the end of the collection. 1t
| occurred to him that 1t was q piece of
careful editing to begin with the public
| baptism of infants, and to place the
service for burial of the dead toward the
END. Ee read the latter softly to him
self, and tears came very near to his
| eyes now and again, for the words gave
| him memories. He had heard them read
| several times; it seemed queer that, lie
had never till now thought OF the oc-
| casion when they would be read over
| him.
your bag, sir, said Martha. bringing in
| the portmanteau, "and 1 don't think I've
| forgotten anything
Martha" he said
Yes, sir"
The middle aged woman helped him
| with his coat.
Il am not very WELL and I'm going
| away for the benefit of my health
Master Arthur! It's nothing serious,
| hope?"
I'm afraid I've been rather-rather
| selfish master during the last few years.
| If at any time l have been harsh in
speaking to you. if 1 have seemed to
| forget that you We're an old servant of
! i.
| pardon
mo, no, Master Arthur" said the
woman, fearful, mot that You mustn't
ask my pardon
ST should like you to think of me-" he
| said, ''as was when L was boy, and"
-. He stopped for there was choking
| in his threat. 'Ring for a hansom," he
| said.
Il can tell. sir,' said Martha quantity.
"that you're not 'alf we'll"
| He looked around when the servant had
! gone and said farewell to the room
| Opening his portmanteau, he found room
| for some letter paper and envelopes; there
| would be time, he hoped, but i'll the south
| Of France to take further steps to right
! the wrongs that he had committed. For
| the first time he recognized the amazing
| change that the Harley street mans an,
! nouncemeit had made in him; the quiet,
| thoughtful man. with a great affection
IN his heart for the world, seemed to
| have no relationship with the assertive,
buoyant man who had left for the city
| that morning
Cabs waiting, SIR said Martha
| "And here's a telegram
Il won't trouble to open it." he re-
marked. It's from my partner, lex
| pect. I can't bother about business any
| more"
ut might be priavte, SIR"
1 ha t%o+ a.
i Margaret Tearle induced him, as he
stood in the passage waiting for the lift,
| to open the envelope. 1t was not from
her.
Can I see you at your rooms now?'
-"Jeyeson. .'sSs
He scribbled hurriedly reply ON the
mo. Am leaving charing cross5> to-. TO-.
-"Maybury.snH-
please send that, MARTHA he said.
Good-by"
"Good-by, Master Arthur" said the
woman And 1 do 'ope you'll be back
soon"
He repeated these two words many
times as the cab took him past the abbey
and up Parliament street. At Charing
Cross there was time to spare, and feel
ing hungry he went into the hotel
Something to his surprise he found him
self able to eat with admirable appetite;
SInau DOttle OF white Wine added to his
content. He felt half inclined to Speak
to the people who were eating at the
next table, and to tell them that he had
but six days to live in this world, to tell
them that he was facing the certain
thing with self-possession. One of the
party commenced to brag solemnIy about
an attack of toothache, and Maybury
smiled at the want Of proportion. KS
He had taken his ticket. and was at
the wooden barriers leading to the Con-
mental platform when he saw a cIean-
shaven, anxious old gentleman scanning
the faces Of the passengers He touched
the shoulder Of the man who was going
through in front of Maybury.
Excuse me-" he said, tis your name
MaybUry p
Comment" asked the man. ''vous
dites?"
MY name is Maybury."
"Glad to have found you," declared the