The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-06

Metcalf lived there-a nasty, cantanker-
GUS old lady. Her companion, poor little
Miss Lambert, had a hard time Of it with
her. How she ever stood it all he didn't
| lation and likely didn't have anywher<
| else to stay. But it was d shame the
way the old lady deviled her.
The janitor grew quite excited over it.
| SO did Philip. In fact. he had some diff
fculty in restraining his feelings. But Ia
forbore to interrupt the janitor. Such in
formation was precious.
| 1.-THE poor young lady never gets a
| breath Of fresh air except when she goes
! driving with the old one, and never a
minute to herself except when her tyrant
| is sleeping
Sudden enlightenment came to Philip.
| Evidently Miss Metcalf took an after
noon siesta. He had to thank the god
Of sleep for these stolen meetings, If
meetings they might be called.
The janitors story had strangely ex-
cited him, however. 1t was In an exalted
mood that he sailed forth like knight Of
old to the nearest florist. The purchase Of
a large bunch Of violets somewhat soothed
his feelings. But he Redeemed shame
| facedly as he inscribed a card. From the
man in the car window" and addressed
the box to ''Miss Lambert That he,
Philip Bryce, matter Of fact business man,
| should be caught at such a schoolboys
trick! And yet he gloried in the incon-
| gruity.
The next afternoon he could hardly wait
until the train reached the curve. Would
! she wear his flowers? Would she smile
| her thanks?
But-the girl was not at her post; the
curtains were tightly drawn. The pain Of
| the disappointment stung him into energy.
| He had allowed this girl to grow into his
| life and thoughts. Should he let her slip
out again? Never!
With sudden determination he left the
| train at the next station and walked
straight to the brownstone house. The
janitor recognized him. He volunteered to
show him the way.
The girl herself opened the door. Her
cheeks were paler than usual and her
eyes heavy from weeping. She. TOO. by
her startled glance, recognized him.
she drew back and leaned, trembling,
against the door as she said In a fright
ened whisper: "You? Your
The janitor had discreetly withdrawn.
Philip felt a pang of reproach as he
looked at the shrinking girl. He had
startled her too much. His voice was
very gentle as he said: Yes, Miss Lam
bert, it is I, the man from the car window.
You see know your name. The janitor
told me. And I've come to ask You
whether you liked the voets. And, oh,
when I missed you from the window !
could not stand 1t. I just had to come
and find out what was the matter"
The girls eyes were downcast, her
cheeks crimson. as she said in the same
frightened whisper: Yes, 1 got your
violets. They were beautiful, and you
were very kind to send them. But you
, ought not to have sent them, and you
ought not to have come here. Miss Met
calf found me with them, and 1 had to
tell her all about them-and you. She
WAS drea dfully shocked IL did not
know that I had been doing anything
wrong But she said that had been very
: bold and forward and that you-you were
not good man. And she made me prom :
Use never to watch for you again. and she
, threw the violets away-my poor violets.
Her voice trembled, but she raised her
=, eyes trustingly as she said more firmly:
II don't believe everything that she said,
, though. I know you meant to De KIND
even though it was wrong
Philip Bryce gently took her hands IN
y his mo, it was not wrong. Do l look
a like man who could not be trusted?'
Something in her face seemed to give
= him confidence, for he went on impetu-
ousIv: MAY not a man send flowers to the
+ girl whom he loves? Little girl, I am all
s alone in the world and very lonely. You
: are lonely too. read it in your face day
after day. And you need some one TO
take care of you. If you can trust me,
e if you think that some day you can love
me a little, won't you let ME take care
f of you? I can wait patiently. have been
0 loving you for these many weeks, but l
can wait till you are ready, dear.
e AS she looked up into his earnest, manly
e face and read the love shining in his eyes
S she laid her head down on his breast and
i whispered II am ready-now.
e So Miss Metcalf lost her companion, but
s Philip Bryce gained wife.