The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-05

strongs as soon as possible to fetch
this young lady's luggage?"
Julia started in her chair and saldi
Don't trouble. Mr.. Hardy. My father
will send the box on to me when he gets
my address In London"
How dye know ne WIFI" inquired
Hardy.
'Ah!" murmured Bax.
Suppose the stepmother declines to
let the box go?' said Hardy. NOW
you'll want all the clothes you've got
and can get, Miss Armstrong, II you
mean to colonize. BaX, bear hand
my lad, clap your mare to the cart ana
report when you're ready"
He spoke as II he WAS on the quarter
deck of a ship and making the sailors
lump for their lives, and BaX, went out,
saying, "I'll not-be ten minutes"
''How good you are to mel" exclaimed
Julia. gathering the side or her pocket
handkerchief unconsciously, and looking
at him with eyes that seemed to tremble
with emotion. what should l have done
had you not found me? l might nave
died under the hedge
LET me see," said Hardy; "how far of
from here does your father liver"
She reflected aid answered, quite SIX
miles"
''Welf we shall be back with your box
before 10. Don't sit up; you want all the
Of business"
''Ohr' cried Julia, ST hope there will be
no trouble. Father may He won't like
you TO know that 1 have run away he
may insist upon returning with you, or
coming here"
eff he Is at home he may, and Wen give
him a lift with pleasure"
II should refuse to meet him, cried the
girl. standing up in a sudden passion or
Indignation. HE has seen me suffer and
has looked on. If he comes here 1t is not
for me. but for that" and she pointed to
the bottle of whisky.
''You shall have your box or ciotheS
anyhow" said Hardy, smoking coolly and
looking at the girl; and three minutes
after he had said this Miss Bax came in,
and reported that father and cart was
at the gate"
Don't let Miss Armstrong sit up" said
Hardy do those chaps at the back talk
very loud?'
when they arguefy," answered Miss
Bax They're wrangling over the age
of the queen now"
well when Miss Armstrong goes to
bed silence them" said Hardy, for l
want the lady to sleep we'll. We shall
meet at breakfast" said he, turning to
Julia and taking her hand.
81 shall wait for you. How could L
sleep?" she replied.
He smiled, but answered nothing, hiled
and reHghted his pipe and walked out.
The drive was pleasant, down hill The
road stretched before them like satin
with the dust of it, and many spacious
groups of trees lifted their motionleSS
shapes against the skyline OF the tall
land and the stars twinkling above 1t.
Specs Of light in houses reposed Ike glow
worms In the deep shades or the ValEey
and up the activities, but the river
II, and Ia oil
q small town past the railway station
were lost behind the bend.
Hardy stared at his fathers house as
they drove past, always In darkness on
this side, but he knew there would be
lights in the windows which overlooked
the grounds that sank towards the river.
The house Capt. Armstrong lived in was
two miles further round the corner, and
made one of about a dozen little villas
and cottages, including a church and
public house 1t was a very small cot
tage, matched; but its sunbright Win
dows, its handsome door and brass knock
er--the taste, in short, Of the man who
had built it i'll years gone by-made it
very lit for the occupation OF gentle
man. 1t was sunk deep in broad piece
of garden land, and the apple trees,
whose bbughs were laden. scented the
still night air refreshingly.
Here we be-" said Bax, drawing up,
and the sailor sprang Off the cart, and
walked down the path to the door with
the brass knocker.
He hammered briskly, and tugged at a
metal knob which shivered a little bell
into esctacies of alarm. A small dog bark
ed shriliy with terror and hate, and in
minute the door was opened by a servant.
past whom the small dog fed, and tried
to marry his teeth in Hardy's right boot.
A kick rushed the little beast back into
the passage, and Hardy said to the serv-'
ant, 81 have called for Miss Armstrong;
trunk.
'Oh, indeed" she said looking behind
her.
Eyes, indeed" he exclaimed. I'm in
hurry I've six miles to go. Is Capt.
Armstrong in?"
NO" as the answer, and as the SER
want spoke door on the right OF the
passage was thrown open, and the figure
of a stout woman stood between Hardy
and the fame of the oil-hoat which IL
Illuminated the passage at the extremity.
who is it? and what does he want?"
said the stout figure approaching by
two or three PAGES.
Il am Mr.. Hardy, son of your hus
bands DOCTOR" was the reply, and /
have called for Miss Armstrong; trunk.
1t stands ready corded In her bedroom,
and l am in a hurry"
the stout figure, who was indeed Mrs.
Armstrong.
$40 the ends Of the earth to escape
YOU" he answered. "Bax" he roared,
fling your reins over the gate post and
come and lend me hand to ship the box
in your cart"
THE box shall not leave this house
without Capt. Armstrong; permission"
said Mrs. Armstrong, who, poor as the
tod (
deal of color in her face OF a streaky
or venous nature; her eyes were small,
| and gazed with rapid winks as though
they snapped at you as you snap the
hammer of a revolver; her bust was i'm
menSe! her black hair was smoothed
like streaks OF paint down her cheeks and
round her ears, and she wore cap with
something In it that nodded, giving more
significance to her words than they need
ed.
Where is Capt. Armstrong;" said the
| sailor.
"Out." was the reply
| He'll not care whether I take 1t or
| leave it." He could not bring himself to
| speak even civiliy to her. Whilst you
| fetch him Wen uanship It, and the cap
| tain can get in ana argue the point whilst
! we drive away. Come along, Bax. Sally,
| show us the road to the young ladys bed
| room"
| Maria" exclaimed Mrs. Armstrong,
| cold and bitter, ''go and knock on Con-
| stable ROBBERS door and tell him to come
| here at once
| Shall 1 fetch the master also?" said
| Maria, qaivering in her figure in the hot
| anticipation OF rushing out.
| mo, the walk is too long. I want you
| back, and the constable"
The girl shot up the walk.
"BaX" said Hardy come along We'll