The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-07
you Never Can Tell.
BY ESTHER HARLAN.

times" interposed Winifred, with as
much vehemence as she ever allowed
| herself. Il don't think 1 shall ever
narry-at all events, not without con-
elusive proof of the mans sincerity and
disinterestedness, as well as his brav
cry and unSelfiShneSS."
'Fiddlesticks, Fred" interposed Ma
bel again. 1--WE heard whole families
talk that way. Teds not so wide of
the mark after all. Like the rest of us,
you'll wake up some day to find your
self in love with man, and will mar
ry him, faults and all, for the paragon
that he isn't and never will be, while
the rest of us will continue to wonder
what you ever saw in him."
The Hon. Vernon Haddington smiled
The Rev. John Hamilton wished de-
voutly that there were some means
known to science or religion whereby
man could add one cubit unto his
stature.
The beauty caressed the sleeping An
CORA with exaggerated languor. Lucky
dog, that cat observed Teddy character
istically, but the laughter that followed
was cut short by sudden report-a
binding f1ash-then darkness, confusion
had burst into score of pieces, the An
CORA lay limp and crushed beneath a
fragment of heavy bronze, and Winifred,
beautiful Winifred., was borne fainting
in breathing space or two. and each
after the manner of our humankind stood
self-revealed in the flash-light of emer-
gency. Dick and Teddy had sprung to
Winifred's side, Dick soaring his hands
bone deep as he smothered the flames
about her hair and gown; She'll be,
lieve me now" he exulted; and gloatedd
and chung to the attenuated ministerial
arm beside her, the owner of which had
involuntarily stepped back out of the
was practically over before the Hon.
Vernon Haddington had quite grasped
the. situation, he, of course, had done
nothing. Nobody, was hurt. but. Wini-
fred (Dick refused to allow his share in
the matter to be considered seriously,
and she not dangerously, the doctor said.
though the burns about her face and
His fears, However howe ssH' We're groundless,
and his skill supreme, and less than
moon later Mabel sat with the GONZALES
cent. chatting cheerily of her quick re-
And this afternoon" continued the
beauty, Pm to have my first callers
Ebs FIRST Tea f callers tbs
prise on the face of her friend, whose at
tentions had been daily. And I've the
finest scheme concocted." The blue eyes
one to tell whether L was Scared or not,
and all these days I've been shut up here
I've practiced scar painting till nearly
copy the shrivel in the flesh and the
deep red and yellow around the edges to
perfection, and now"
Fred, you're f1end; you'll do not
such gruesome thing" Mabel interrupted
in disgust.
But will. then. They're all four COM
ing, but I'll see them separately. I'll
have the shades drawn and the lights low
and this Is what I'll look like" And she
drew aside the veil prescribed of late to
ward the slightest draught from the new
tender skin. InvoluntariIy Mabel started
great disfguring scar ran the length of
one round cheek, another crossed the full
red lips and scared the perfect whiteness
of the slim, white throat. Two half-heaI-
ed spots about the nose and brow complet-
ed the CHASTITY ruse. @
''Winnifred" exclaimed her guest in
horror II wouldn't marry you myseIf-if
you looked like thatl" The girl was de-
lighted. 'It will be real test, then! OF
course, don't really care for any of them,
but it will be amusing, nevertheless. If
they knew beforehand. now, they would
undoubtedly all protest it didn't make
particle of difference, but if take them
by surprise" A canny CLEAN crept into
MabePs eyes and small dents of determi-
nation settled about her mouth. She
was not long in making her adieux. "She
saws she doesn't care for any Of Them"
she unused, "but, you never can tell, and,