The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-26

years before and when she saw that he
was Interested in her she enco Iraged his
attentions. Not that she cared particu-
larly for him, or for any man, because
che had many suitors and could be in
dependent, but he had been Indifferent
always to women and triumph over such
man is always enjoyed by any woman.
So when she saw that her influence was
drawing him away from his masculine
pursuits and leading him into thinking
of gentler things than guns ard dogs
and horses and boats, she felt the pride
of her power and did not hesitate to ex-
ercise it to the full. AS to loving him
it had never occurred to her in the
slightest, though she admired him, even
though at distance. He was a mans
man and women like that kind of men.
One Cay, in the most unexpected fash
ion, he told her he loved her and asked
her to be his wife.
"Why, Fred" she stammered in real
! surprise and genuine embarrassment, Il
really never thought Of such q thing be-
fore, and don't know what to say"
He had had SO little experience with
women and their ways that he could not
understand her now. Nor was he of the
persuasive kind, as such men seldom
are.
.I don't see why you didn't" he re-
sponded almost rudely. "You have let
me go on caring for you, and you must
have known I was not of the kind that
play with love"
Eyes, I know that she argued, but
we look at things SO differently. You
are too serious, and I am too frivolous.
I was thoughtless, I admit, but you
should not blame me until you under
stand better. / don't love you, of course,
for how could 1 when I never thought of
it; and if you love me, you should be
more considerable
This is no time for argument he said
urgently. You had no right to let ME
go on caring. for you. Why didn't you
warn me that I was going too far?'
How could II she said pleadingly.
when Isdidn,t know? Other men have
shown me more attention than you have,
and they have not asked me to marry
Them
Il suppose if they had you would have
answered them as you have answered
me-, he exclaimed angri1y. I'm any
event, 1t Is no reason why you should
have deceived me as you have
The girls manner changed under this
accusation Of WilIful deceit.
Mr.. Norton she said, firm and cold,
"if have done wrong it has not been
intentional, and You are not warranted
in charging me with deceiving you.
have liked you and been more than pleas
ed to think my influence over you was
stronger than that of your dogs and
horses and guns, and possibly than that
Of other women. Beyond that have not
thought, and If you have, It has been
your own doing. For that I decline to be
responsible. AS far as am concerned
the matter ends here.
But Morton would not listen to this
disposal of the case, and, losing his TEN,
per in his talk, he at last left the house
in a rage. Two days later he had given
up his position at the bank and was n,lr-
rying westward, to lose himself and his
disa prominent in the wilderness--if that
were possible.
OF course, it was nine-days wonder
in the town, and the gossips had the
more to say the less they knew, but
other matters were occurring, and it was
not long before it was forgotten by all
except Kate Lester. Her mind was act
i've and her heart was not STILL If she
had not thought before, she was thinking
now, when Fred Morton had gone out OF
her life, something was missing that
meant more to her than all that remain
ed If Morton had been as tactful as ne
was sincere this story would never have
been written.
But he was as he was, and he had
gone away to let his sorrow fatten on
him among those he knew not, and now
he was on the eve of the first Thanks
giving he had ever known away from
his home and the friends who had been
dear to him. In other surroundings and
ander other circumstances it might not
have been quite so hard, but as he re.
garded his present condition there was
absolutely moth ng that he should be
thankful for; and he looked upon the ap,
preaching day and all it meant as a
trayesty of religion and sham senti-
ment that was intolerab1e. When he lay
down to sleep he tossed uneasily in his
dreams, and there were only visions of
a girl who had wrecked his life and taken
out of his heart all thankfulness. In
the morning a blizzard was raging, ana
1t was a positive relief to the angry
: tumult within him. The stock on the
ranch wandered away into the storm
and every mans service was called for
to gather the wanderers back to the fold
Through the binding snow Morton, with
two ranchmen, started off down the VAL
ley in search of a drove which had gone
in that direction. They cautioned each
other to keep as close as they could to
help in case of losing the way, and for
several hours they proceeded together
with their search. About noon they dis
covered a bunch of cattle, and in the
chase of them Morton lost his bearings
and before he realized what had happen
ed he did not know where he was. TO