The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-23

and descended down her back in the Sc
we're simplicity of a plated pigtail. She
grew hot all over with shame as she
fancied that she could still feel the pres
sure of the mans arms about her body
and then her hair-how can an unfor-
tunate girl assert herself with her hair
in a pigtail? The position was hideous;
maidenly dignity cowed by it's own pig
tail. Finally vanity won the day, as it
is apt to do with men and women alike
Being carried, after all, was not so very
dreadful, in act-rather-rather-W
at any rate, that part was not SO dread
ful-but the pigtail? That thought crush
ed her.
Her mental torture was suddenly brok-
en- In upon by shouts, the noise of grind
ing wheels, the thunder of hoofs and
thu. jingle of harness. The fire engine had
arrived.
Amy Ashton stood by Spencer's side.
in the warmth of the summer night fasS
cinated by the scene. The rudy glow Of
the fire turned the tree trunks and fo,
iage of the avenue bright red, all lit up
human faces with curious vivid beauty.
The wild energy Of the inexperienced am
ateurs gave place to the cool, methodicaI
strategy, of the fully. equipped trained
men. There was hardly a breath of air
stirring, and the fiIe rapidly died down
as soon as the engine got steadily to
work. The color faded out Of the land
scape, and the threatened house stood
out back against the sky.
II must go in at once please, Mr.. Spen-
Ger. 1t feels quite chilly now"
Please say you forgive me. Miss Ash
ton, before you so. The temptation was
great"
81 don't want to hear about the tempta-
ton. Pray, what would my ideal man
say to the confession that I was imbe-
Gle enough TO allow man to carry me
about without any sufficient reason?
And Miss Ashton laughed a mirthless
laugh.
"Well, you can at any rate explain to
your ideal that the man who carried you
proposed to marry you on the same even
ing. Any sensible man, ideal or other
wise, will allow for another man being
bit OF an idiot when he is on the verge
of proposal"
'Mr. Spencer, this began by what I
suppose must regard as a joke, though
it was in wretched taste, more especially
with guest in your own house; but to
carry 1t further is a deliberate insult
Amy, darling, I don't care fig for
the ideal man and his fancies; 1 want
you, seriously, myself. 1 have loved you
since the day that you first came here
you always treat me as If I were your
grandfather; but love you as dearly az
man ever loved woman
well. supposing that say that for
give you for daring to carry me, and
that we part In friendly
No. I will accept no compromise; 1
will have an answer now"
cit is very unfair to keep me here in
the cold; besides, think Of Aunt Char
lotte. Well, perhaps I will then, some
day-when 1 have quite forgotten the fire
must let me go. Yes, of course knew
I was fond of you, that was the worst
part OF 1t, because it was a simply hateful
trick to play on q girl. Why. I never
began talking about my ideal man. Oh,
Frank, I had quite, forgotten my hair
for the moment. I'll never speak to you
again-never, If you don't let me run away
at once-Frank, I said at once"
III.
Looking at the house from +he ont
side. Frank, you really would not think
that much damage had been done"
No, considering what might have been.
It was very cheap entertainment"
Don't be stupid, Frank When are the
builders coming DOWN."
Ny NY darling Ia girl, that is just what I
that our wisest plan would be for You
70 marry me at once. The men could be-
gin as soon. as we came home from our
honeymoon"
Of 1t yet"
We must have roof on before the
winter sets In. but in the meantime
ROOF Is not one of the first essentials to
hnusekaeniaR." ~