Graham guardian., 1901-12-27

prestidigitator; and the black coniuror for
got to bring it back. Clever Pompev!
Mrs. Steele smiled and tested gavlv ex
changing badinage in her light-hearted
way, and looking very fair and pretty. Shc
rippled out a merry laugh. as one younp
man fell to his knees while making a cal.
liant speech over her extended hand Across
Grandma Steele's face came flash of color
She stepped quickly toward her daughter.
in-law, exclaiming:
Mary! Be CAREFUL" but she was too
late. The daring young man was on his
feet, and made rush for the now fright
ened lady. He cal%ht her tightly in his
drunken embrace, and started to run off
with her. The other men were laughing
helplessly, treating the matter as huge
Joke.
Mary groaned and covered her face with
both hands, and |, in fury of rage, dashed
IN front of the young man and tore open
| his arms with the power and ease of some
mighty avenger. Mrs. Steele, thus freed,
| mirly flew up the stairs, her face filled
| with terror and distress.
stood by the newell post second, flushed
and painting; gazing down in disgust at the
prostrate man. Then, as Pompey lifted the
drunkard to his feet, volley of curses,
Pack and deep, that were intended for me,
bsfouled the air.
Ihe memory of my mornings pledge
t8me to my mind. I walked to the parlor,
md said to the three gentlemen:
Your friend is i'll. He is in his carriage.
Pompey is waiting at the door. l will make
eour excuses to Mrs Steele"
They bowed themselves out in a maudlin
fashion; and it was the proudest moment of
my life when Grandma Steele laid her hand
on my yellow head and said, quietly;
My boy! My little protector / thank
you"
Mr., Steele came in shortly after that
Grandma Steele met him at the door, and
his order to Pompey, as | went home, was:
I'VE are not at home tonight, Pompey."
That same month | went 10 boarding
school, carrying my lady's color with me,
in the shape of a pink hair ribbon Mary had
worn on New Years day. Surely, there
never was prouder knight thaNI
Year by year the good old custom dwin-
died; killed by Just such sights as had dis
susted my young soul. The gorgeous toi-
lsttes moderated to modest gowns Luxu-
nous tables shrank to trays OF cakes and
wine, or cakes and coffee. Men walked, or
rode in street cars, to pay their calls. Fam
ly reunions began to be popular. Still l
made my annual call on Mary and her
mother, and grew no nearer.
The stately Grandma had passed away,
and Mary sometimes wore her pearl-set
miniature. Then my home was desolated.
Ny mothers death left me sad indeed. Mr..
Steele was kind friend in my trouble,
81 &bo Ctoalo
showed herself still merry, childlike, and
young. Mary, alone, l could not fathom.
/ had been in Paris two years, and had
corresponded with Mary in fraternal fash
ion for more than twelvemonth; when 1
suddenly wrote an impassioned letter, tell
ing her of my life's love, and imploring her
to be my wife.
She responded briefly, and in the tone
nsed through all her letters: 81 thank you
for the high compliment" she wrote, ''but
why not keep on in our old friendly way"
This was too much l was hurt deeply,
never answered her letter, and resolved to
keep aloof, now and forever. Toward the
end of December became uneasy, and re-
solved to go home, or, at least, to old
New York We landed on New Years eve,
and on New Years morning, as the bells
OF St. Margaret's were Ginning for serv-
ice, found myself opposite Mary's house,
looking over at the old place, with the same
old boyish interest.
What a change from the old days. Every
shade of every house on the block entirely
covered its window, and on each bell-pull
was tiny basket fastened with a bunch of
gay ribbons. was indignant. A nice way
that" l argued, mentally, ''to treat visitors
on New Years day" A closed house, in
deed! 1t should open TO me- And that
basket! Probably itwasthegi Of some fond
lover, like the Mayday baskets Of the olden
time. Tied with Mary's favorite color, too!
Very well! l would take it down and offer
her my congratulations, when l handed her
the basket!
So l mounted the steps and gave the
bell knob a vigorous pull Old Pompey
opened the door He knew me at once,
and smiled broadly, as he said:
Miss Mary, she'll be delighted. Disvisit's
80 on-reglar; jes whut she likes
When Mary came, she seemed a little
tremulous and confused. I remembered
the basket. 1t had fallen to the floor |
reuuced upon it viciously. In it lay
card:
'Mr. Stewart Kingsley"
Mary" 1 gasped; 'surely you are never
going to marry the man who insulted your
mother IL years ago." and / held up the
card before her astonished eyes.
"You silly boy" said she, and with that
years vanished; we were young again.
"This," shaking the basket, sis the way
people receive to-day. We put out our
basket, and anyone who wishes may drop
his card in it,"
"Then he did not send the basket"
"Oh. no." laughed Mary.