The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-05
Felix.
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

He spoke lightly and helped himself to
another biscuit.
"And you never told us?' reproach-
fully
What was the use? was not ready
to leave the Office Then he added
Whimsically: 81 have arranged for a
grand spree in August Harry and Bess
VIII be home from school and the four
OF us will go for a months jollificatton
among the Maine lakes. Aunt Betty win
come and stay with mother
For moment she looked at him to
see If he were in earneset, then, in spite
OF her twenty-five years, promptly
mounted chair and whirIed a NAPKIN
above her head Then she INDUCED in
an energetic pantomime Of a warwhoop.
feilX watched hire appreciatively.
Ihats the way I feel" he said. esThe
mere thought of a vacation after fifteen
years of office work is like tonic. Nov
suppose help you with the dishes, and
then we will go out and let you free
yourself Of the talk -
r,aI Eenx, she said a little later, as they
were walking along the canal. CDR.
Breen's cousin arrived from Denver to-
gay. lie said he would call on you soon,
and seemed very much surprised to learn
that you were only bookkeeper. He said
that You had been one of the brilliant
men at college and that great things had
been expected from YOU
Felix laughed little
Bob was my classmate," he said. land
naturally oversanguine about his friend.
1t is the brilliant men who usually make
| failures
He spoke lightly, but something in his
| voice caused her to draw nearer
Felix she said, after a long pause,
l want you to tell me all about papa s
| affairs. We were mere babies when he
dled and you came home from college to
| look after things. But Harry and Bess
and L are now old enough to take our
snare OF the burden. 1t is our right to
| know.
She spoke earnestly and as they reach
ed belt of moonlight looked up into
| his face.
1t was very grave
Father was Careless he said moth
ing more. We will not speak about him.
Inc rest IS very simple. 1 got a po-
sftion as bookkeeper and-that is all
They walked on awhile in silence. Then
she said:
''You have not told me all, Felix.
Something has been troubling you all
these years. I have felt it ever since
was old enough to observe You have
good salary, and make as much more
by your magazine articles, and yet you
never AnuulSe yOurSelt IN anything. Mann
mas talk used to make me think that
papa had left considerable property, and
Harry and Bess and I always thought
that our school money came out of thiyl
But lately have doubted it, Then. alb
ruptly: Did papa leave anything-above
his debts, I mean?"
NO
"And-was there enough to pay his
No.
II suspected it. Now, Felix speaking
firmly, and letting her hand rest caress-
ingly on his arm, you must be open
with me. / am a, woman now, and want
to be a help instead of a burden. Harry
and Bess will graduate next month. and
they feel just as / do. Papa's debts
must be paid, and it will be so much
easier for the four Of u.s. working to-
gether than for you alone Then, hest
tatingly:
us it very much?"
NO" smiling.
"And you will let US help your"
"Gladly. You are already doing that
more than you imagine" Then,
laughingly, IT am very proud of my
children, Margaret Not many bache-
Tors have brought up such a promising
trio
"Bosh! You are trying to escape the
subject. I want your opinion of my