The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-12
S EALED ORDER RS

calmly adding himself to the invitation.
There was a certain breathlessness in
both their voices.
John Gordon said goodnight soon, his
horse was brought round and he gal
Hoped away in the dark. Bess had thank
ed him for coming in neighborly fash
ion to cheer them up, but her eyes were
still dazzled with that surprise
Joseph. having politely seen him to the
door, returned to find that the other two
had retired. He was about to take up
his own candle, when he heard a rustic
of skirts aboye-Mrs. Cox foraging for a
novel to read In bed. She paused on the
stairs, and then, believing the coast
clear, ventured, "OhI She halted
caught in her thick red dressing gown, with
her hair pinched up in pins all round her
head-and the rest left behind her-and
she glared at Joseph as one might at a
serpent
4 am exceedingly glad to see you" he
said There was new civility in his
tone, or else a horrid sarcasm. 1t ar
rested her in her ght.
"Why?" she asked.
Because 1 think the time has come for
us to form an alliance"
She looked at him sharply. and then.
suddenly, she sat down. They eXchang-
ed glances OF intelligence, in their eyes
an odd mixture of tr.umi IN and app-e-
hension.
I'VE both know the. terms said
Joseph, 'of our late unc!e's will.
Everything to his widow" answered
Mrs. Cox promptly, until she married. .
"Or if she died." said Joseph, sit would
go to the next Of kin"
Don't suggest" gasped Mrs Cox, look
ing guilty round.
He laughed sardonically
81 was not suggesting that she should
die" he said. II only suggest she should
marry BY the terms of our uncle'S will,
if she marries again she is to lose every
thing-and the money is 10 come to an
individual named in sealed envelope in
the hands of the lawyers. Polly he
paused meanlngly-"do you remember
how the lawyer looked in our direction
when he came to that? That individual
must be either you or l. He seemed to
suspect as much
She nodded.
81 know that. We We're his only living
relations, and II remember a speech he
made to me just before he died.
Il remember something he said to me
it was as good a promise.
Here there was a brief revival of
greed and rivalry in their glance.
1--WE will sing that" said Joseph re-
covering himself Say that our pros
poets are equal; hadn't we better-ah!-go
shares?'
" w nat 90 you mean. dShSd Hhios NO[N
suspiclously. Had she not often paused
in her schemes struck with horror lest
she might be contriving his victory after
all? She was surc-quite sure-that hers
was the hidden name; but it might hap
pen to be his.
"Supposing we married. said Joseph.
at would not signify which OF us was
the lucky person"
1t was an audacious proposal. Never
theless it was plain they could fight bet
ter side by side. unhanpered by a pas
sionate endeavor to thwart each other
Mrs Cox thought an instant. Her
broad face rirnrred with its bard ring Of
frzzing pins. might be unbeautiful: but
it was businesslikc
Perhaps" she said
Then they plunged keenly into bust
ness
"What about Delcarres?'' inquired
Joseph. Does he know?'
Mrs CoX's laugh was quick and shrill.
81 only wish he didn't Trust him."
she said. He was shooting bears some
where when the gossip was about; but
I could guess the very month he went
to Edinburgh and asked me lawyers"
Joseph dropped his voice at the next
possibility
How about this Archie:"
I've heard of him" said Mrs. Cox.
Head over ears in love with Ia six
years ago. But they made her marry
the general-a sinful Shamc!' feelingly.
''He is a headlong soldier; reckless. I'M
prudent: he will not care IL she has not
q penny"
81 hone so,' said Joseph Are we
Cngaged?'