The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-23

the mortified Miss Singleton whom many
people wished to please
Mrs. Odell came up jubilant. and Har-
old introduced the two ladies, when end
ed in an invitation to Hill View. for ILL
da, and an elderly cousin who was play
ing the part Of chaperOn. Harold was en-
thusiaStic over the girl as he escorted his
sister home, and this lady, mindful Of her
last failure, heard him patiently, hut gave
no advice.
The acquaintance thus made and renew
ed, ripened into friendship all round for
the Odells sincerely admired the frank,
high-spirted girl, whilst the cousin, Miss
Martin was no sOured old maid, put
pleasant, cultured woman who would
have been a welcome addition to any cir
Gle
AS for the young people themselves,
they fell naturally into the old life Of
cOmradeship, save that there was now
no talk of sweethearting. for Harold was
no fortune hunter, and accepted the alter
ed conditions without grumbling at his
lot. There were picniCs, tennis parties,
drives and he found these amusemeDts
delightful in her company, but their great
pleasure was to take train to OakIe street,
walk to Westbury- on Severn, and there
hire a boat to ride the broad waters of
the river past the hamlets in which their
early holidays had been spent; or to cross
to LOngney, by the ferry, and wander
amongst the orchard lands there, now
glorious with ripening fruit.
But who could experience these renlin-
iscences of the happy past without feel
ing the full spirit which the scenes sug-
gested? Certainly not two high-spirited
young people with an undeterminate tu-
tune and without binding home ties, par
ticularly when the man was a traveller
with the mystery of foreign lands and
adventure clothing him as a garment,
and the girl represented all that is
charming in the woman of leisure.
When the truth forced itself upon
Harold that he was looking upon Hilda
{1,5 han ~
friendship, he cOmfOrted himself with the
idea that his book might bring him
fortune. and so put him out Of the cate
CORY of lovers whose views are believed
to be entirely mercenary.
But it did nothing of the kind MeSsrS.
Burman, the publishers, brought out the
work on the royalty system, it is true,
but it hung fire, somehow, and Howard
saw nothing before him but another exile
to land where he could put his Shout
der to the wheel at emplOyments i'm
possible in his native land.
The idea of departure, not the idea
of labor, made him dispirited and gloomy
and the girl was not slow to observe the
change. whatever are you looking 50
rueful about, Harold?" she asked, sud-
denly one day.
Got TO go into the world again" said
he, ITO try gold-digging, stock drOving,
or something equally romantic-in tales
but precious prOsaic when you leave be-
hind you all the places-and persons
you love best
CO. said the girl. the color leaving
her face, and there was a painful 81
lence for a space. Then she said: What
about the book? l think it IS charming.
Those descriptions of the ancient ruins
unmentioned by previous travellers, are
enthTalling. to say nothing Of the pains
you have taken to obtain the rites ana
costumes Of the Matabele, the specimens
or their language you give, and the
fauna and fora Of the country
Thank you, Hilda. you're q brick. But
the public don't take to the book, I'm
afraid. There have been one or two
good reviews, but the sales are very
SLOW. L must confess to a failure and
go and work with my hands"
And my stay is over in a fortnight
\ on won't go before then, Harold,
hope? l want to see the fruit gathered
at L;cngney and witness the merrymak-
ing"
''Weu 60" said Harold. Frightening
Il wouldn't miss the last glimpse of the
ture in the world alone"
Wouldn't YOU asked the girl color
Ing but she looked at him direct with
the eyes. lie loved 50 We'll. 1t was a
great effort to restrain his feelings at
this juncture, but he put the possession
by, as unmauly. Il wouldn't" he re-
piled, simply, out there was a catch in
his voice, and he turned mis- head away.
When he looked around again, Hilda was
gone.
About five days later he received an
unexpected communication from his pub
lISIlei5. All agent ldu Called upon LDctll
and purchased the remainder Of the edi-
ton, stating that the copies were intend
ed for presentation to the reference IL
braries and Institutes In various portions
Of the country a reference 10 the fact
had appeared in the newspapers, and a
demand for a larger edition had come
from the booksellers They We're pre-
pared to send in their account and
offer a lump sum for the copyright, or q
larger royalty.
let US go down the river today. to
our favorite nook" said Harold to Hildo;
I've some good news, ana want to ask
your advice.
Yes said the girl, demureIy, and they
went.
The mellow radiance of autumn was
everywhere around them, and the males
tic river rolled at their feet, as it mad
in the days Of their childhood. Nothing
had changed since they departed AT this
season, they thought, as they sat on a
grassy knoll under the mighty trees,
high on the bank, watching the teams
draw the wagons along the white road
across the water.
Harold told his news, but as he warm
ed to the thought of what it might pos
stbly mean to him, the advice he asked
was quite of a different nature to that
which he had intended. do you think,
Hllda, that-if I-gOt this money, and
went abroad to get new Impressions for
another volume might, when i came
back, find my little friend something, you
know, just a little mOre-O, Hilda, 1
love YOU and can't go away without
saying it. I'm not mercenary beggar,
I'm willing to work like a horse, if you'll
only give me hope"
Then you intend to go after all" fall
tered the girl, Just because I've got more
money at present than you have
well, Hilda, it's a bit awkward, isn't
it: what would people think of me?'
It's not nearly 50 awkward as your
speeches., said Hilda, trying to laugh,
but breaking into a sob. In a moment
Harolds arms were around her, and
money, the world, the future, were for
gotten, as the beating Of their happy
hearts drowned the rivers rolling tide
in their ears.
Perhaps Harold will learn some day
whose loving belief in him, and far-sight-
ed policy prompted the measure which
gave a flip to the sale of his book. and
brought his merits before a discerning
public. At present the arch-plotter was
resting her head contentedly against his
shoulder comforting herself with the re-