The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-04

than the sailor-man.''
1.-The idea!'' exclaimed feminine fifteen.
"a child like you to ta:k of love! At
twenty, too!'
I'm not Twenty-Five
"Who said you were?' rotor ed Fancy
mounting. You can't understand the
queens English. You're twenty and L m
age of a man.
Il wish Miss Pr:m could hear you"
Bother Miss Prim. Old cat! That for
Miss Print"
Its not. pretty to sick out Your
tongue, Fancy"
"Mtongues m'own to Go as I like
with. There and there!" She stuck it
out defiantly. "Climb up, Teddy: Meter
will be angry at my leaving No al tn
out a chaperon."
Teddy put his foot on The pedal with
chuckle. "Charercn! Gooseherry! All
aboard. Off she goes, ducky!
Vulgar boy!' and the tand M sh
away in the rear of the lovers.
AS the fog closed round it a Chinaman
came singing after at a quick trot as
sisted in his pursuit by the occasional
jingle of the bel.
But the chaperons were 6iddled cut Of
their duty much to their disgust, for
they took an ardent interest in the love-
making OF their seniors. JAYNE and
Norah, having the lead, kept it until they
had covered the two miles to Oldport
and brought up at the gate of Trafalgar
Villa. Here a dumpy little woman with
a shawl over her head, awaited them in
a state of querufCus complaint.
rs that you, Leonard? Well, you are
late. I'm glad to see you. No, don't k SIS
me on that cheek. my tooth's aching.
You shouldn't make me so anxious J.
thought some accident Do come in,
Norah, you'll get rheuma tism, and l can't
nurse you. Ugh! How cold it is.''
Sorry we're late, Aunt Selma. My
fault entirely Much as I could do to
wheedle leave from the old man. Only
three hours, aunt"
'Ah, well'' sighed this agreeable little
woman, its better for you to work than
to play No doubt your captain knows
that. Where are the others?
This question was answered by double
warwhoop as the tandem swept grandIy
round the corner and into collision with
the other machines.
There was howl from Teddy, an
answering Shrek from Fancy, and Jayne
ran hastily down to rescue the pair from
the debris. Mrs. Wharton walled shrilly
in tho doorway, while Norah, accus-
toned to such scenes, did her best to
pacify her.
Are they dead? Fancy, know
you IL XIII yOurSelt some Gay, you stupid
girl. It's a mercy"
"All sereno!' sung out Teddy, straight
ening the wreck. "Fancy's bumped a
little, that's all"
You BEAST" whimpered Fancy. I'm
Clipped all over"
Fancy" shrieked Mrs Whar ton, mo
lady says Clipped "
She would if pig chucked her off
bike, ma, Come in Len, I want a rub CT
u
in the gaslight.
"A kiss from you, Fancy" and Jayne
suited the action to the word "How
you've grown, old girl!''
I'm always letting down tucks," la
mented the mother; ''and the quantity
she eats! All, I'm glad to think her poor
father has been spared the trouble Fancy
gives me. Go and take off your things,
Norah. Fancy, tell Martha to get the.
tea. Leonard, you and 1 must have a
word on a sad subject
Lieut.. Jayne cast a comical look of dis
may on Norah, and followed his aunt into
tiny drawing room. He knew what that
sad subject" was, and hated to have it
handled by, this professional mourner.
Mrs. Wharton loved, in the discussion Of
other peoples troubles, to relate her own
with much detail AS widow she wore
black, though the late Capt. Wharton had
DSSl QSdu zen years. I16I eyes llIN al 1dUIy
gave evidence of an immoderate grief for
the woes of all and sundry.
With the utmost gusto now she set her
self to lower Leonard's spirits Even his
robust appearance served her as ma
terial for warning. You're looking we'll,
Leonard" sighed She wagging her head,
'but, after all those years in the tropics,
you are pretty sure to get pneumonia Or
consumption in this damp place They
say we shall have a wretched winter
ooh, 1 daresay I'll survive it," laughed
jayne in his breezy manner Such dire
optimism was nothing short of offensive
How you can laugh, don't know,
Leonard. Your father has been dead and
cold only six MONTHS
Poor dad said the lieutenant, his
face altering. you mustn't think me
heartless, aunt, because I don't wear my
heart on my sleeve. I had a bad time
out yonder when the news came, I can
tell you. Dear old mani with a sigh, II
must go and see his grave tomorrow
"a white marble anchor marks his rest
ing place, Leonard" Mrs. Wharton pro-
duced a deep black-edged handkerchief
1t was Bendigo's idea, and as it seemed
suitable Rowland adopted it. sweet
grave, my dear, and a most appropriate
tombstone"
so GaskelI looked after everything?
"Oh, it was a pleasure to your cousin.
Leonard. 1 assisted and we had every
thing of the best. I don't know that T
ever saw a more comfortable grave. View
Of the channel and all, my dear; so
soothing to a sailor, isn't it? But therev'
-groaning-' Rowland will tell you all
about it. He wants to see you imme
diately. Indeed, he may be round to-
night
81 hope not" said Leonard, bluntly. ST
want no one but Norah. She hasn't wei
coined me half yet"
Mrs. Wharton wiped her tears awav.
and looked amazed. "Why, she went to
meet your!
ooh, yes she met me all right. I've
had my public reception; but fellow
expects something more than that. aunt.
when he comes home from the China sta
ton. Tomorrow I'll go and SEE ola
Bendigo and attend to business but to-
night L want Norah, nothing. but Norah-
nobody but Norah. I'm hungry for
Tea will be ready soon, deari'
Thank you, aunt; but you nlizunder-
stand me. Tea isn't the food of love
you, of all people, ought to know sailor
by this time
We'll, I'm sure hope you'll be pleased
with your Norah Leonard; hut it's a
sad, sad, Homecoming
who is sad?" cried Norah. en- erins
briskly. mot Leonard, I hope!'
Gould Leonard be sad with you?,'
said that young gentleman. taking her
in his arms There, that's the first time
Norah darling"
Mrs. Wharton groaned as though sh
foresaw mournful conclusion to the
dream of young love, and, remarking in a
heart-broken tone that undoubtedly the
tea would be spoilt, departed with step