The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-11

accounted to him for righteousness. His
hekleness was his only material fault in
Bella's eyes, and for that there were ex-
cuses; he was more run after, and there
lore had to resist more temptations than
most men, and she herself wAS SO lack
ing In the dash and brilliance he had a
right to expect in any one who hoped
to call him hers.
Withal, the shock was not less terrible
When, after month or so of revive /
faithfulness, he relapsed again, and was
rumored to be the slave of another beau
ty of another street, and neglected Bella
as before.
AS before. she bore her sorrow in Sc
cret, and shrank from seeming to pursue
him; but though she could not dust TIE
stuffed owl and the cream jug, or so much
as glance from her work at the shelf on
which they were enshrinei without a
pang, she could not bring herself to re-
turn them to him, and SO, as it were,
renounce him altogether.
The weeks dragged by, and then one
evening as she passed into the street
from the city, carrying q great parcel
of work, she saw him lounging with a
few boon companions at the corner. She
trembled and her face blanched, but she
evaded his gaze and hurried on. Just as
she passed, one of his cronies laughed
and called after her mOckingly The
words stung her like a lash, but they
were scarcely uttered when a curious
scuffiing sound arose and a rear of ra ge,
and, turning her head quickly, she saw
the man who had laughed sprawling on
the pavement, and Gus rampant above
him.
She cried that night at home, yet it
was more pleasure than from sadness;
and when Gus lounged up on the follow
ing evening she received him without ag,-
tation. Somehow she had expected him
II give i'm what for last nght--that
bloke," remarked Gus "'E won't be so
clever agen. I'll bet"
She did not reply Immediately; but the
remembrance of his gallantry really left
her no alternative
Eyes, I saw him." she said.
les got too much sauce e as; e
wants a little Of it takin' out of i'm, an
done it a treat" He Dragged for a
minute In this strain, and switched off
suddenly: Il say, what's the matter with
a walk?"
Bella reflected.
There's a ripp;n' piece on at the
Standard. Comin'?"
And that night they witnessed the play
together from the front of the gallery
and Haggerston marVelled more than
ever and did not know what to make
Of It, Either Gus was a fool or Bella
was uncommonly artful, they argued
anyhow she had acquired such an infu-
ence over him that, though he might
desert her on an impulse, he could not
shake himself free of her, ana was soon
er or later drawn back to her irresisti-
bly,.
He did, indeed, desert her again within
few weeks, and this time went near to
losing her entirely. He became infat-
uated with lady who was pledged to
his own particular friend, Erry Mowier
morose young man. who, before be
arrived at years of discretion, had en-
joyed distinction as a successful hooli-
gan, who had shot policeman through
the helmet, and had been acquitted fo1
want Of evidence.
When this young man came, snarting
under a sense of his wrongs, and glow
cred in upon Bella from the doorway,
her sympathy went out to him as to a
fellow sufferer.
Ere" he groaned, dyer know abart
it?"
Fella admitted that she did
'Yus. Well" he continued. "e am
goin to fool me. Nor she amt neither
Bella glanced at him inquiringly.
II dent 'spose you'll be sorry to git
level with i'm, emp said Erfy "You see!
I'll give i'm enough for both of u.s. 1
know where to drop on EN- I'll let i'm
ave a taste O. this. There's enough in
1t for 'er too"
He was Interrupted by Bella. She
sprang on him desperately and clutched
his hand
Give me that revolver" she painted,
trying to wrench it from him. Give 1t
up"
Don't you be silly" he returned, easily
resisting her. Leave go of it. Cheese
1t! You'll ave it go OFF an kill yer, If
yer amt careful. Lee gor
hand, and was aware that it was a very
small hand and very soft. He glanced
too, into her flushed face and recognized
that she was prettier than he had
thought.
Give It to me" she insisted. You
shan't--'
STOW it! Don't let's ave no acci-
DENTS" he pleaded. LIE go, an I'll
promise I won't do it; take my oath 1
won't; not tonight
you promise? You swear yer won't?"
Swear 1 won't! Honor brghtr'
She reluctantly released her nold. and
he slipped the revolver back into his
pocket; but he did not at once let her
hand go. She had to jerk it away from
him.
Thereafter he fingered chatting mood
lily, and she encouraged him to stay, for
knew he was doing no mischief.
II wouldn't marry her now-nOt il she
wCn. down on er knees!" he said at
A.