The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-23

was a mournful infection IN MS voice.
The girl ddressed-piquante, handsome
and very charming, in her ball dress OF
white satin-laughed lightly and toyed
with her fan.
Il did not exactly say that Capt. vart-
rev." she said.
But it is the same thing he exclaim-
ed, despondently.
''Oh, come" she said with smile;
don't talk like that, or"
"Or what?"
81 shall not dance with you any more.
''Then 1 shall endeavor TO mend" he
said,but there was a grim touch of despair
about the way he spoke. Il know /
have bothered you. but that-that is be-
cause 1 love you very much. Still that
must CO.
That's right" she exclaimed.
''But tell me, Miss Charteris," he said,
rising from his seat and standing in front
of her in the conservatory of Mrs. Court
ford's town house; but he got no farther,
for the gu got up quickly and said, with
Vivacity:
II declare there is the music starting
againi 1 can't possibly miss this valse.
Please take me back, Capt. Vartrey."
He Immediately offered his arm.
Miss Charteris,' he said quietly, you
must tell me again that there is no hope
for me. 1 want to hear it"
Was it then so PLEASANT
He laughed bitterly.
Then why hear it again?'
1T was not exactly that 1 liked it," he
said, only it is in campaign; one re-
quires to know all particulars, and to as
certain the full strength of ones enemy,
you know"
Before giving battle?"
mo; / fear it would be before retreat
ing with small inadequate force, which
would be hopelessly overmatched So tell
m a in
my honor l will never trouble you any
more. You know 1 have always hoped
in the old the moderately old, days. You
used to let me call you Stella then.
She hestated before answering.
1T must be no, Captain she said
I can't help it. 1 like you as friend
very much. And now let US go in
.'Why?"
1T is my own affair."
Naturally; but it is partly mine.''
now so2"
We'll, you are my sister, and he is my
friend"
so that for those reasons I ought to
marry him?"
Il don't say that but
Look here, Art; are you turning into
a matchmaker"
mo, I am not
"WeIl, it looks rather like it."
No, no, Stella; you might look at the
matter dl1erently.
and accept the captain whether 1 like
him or not?"
You do like him.
"Ah, do I? Perhaps I do; but what
then? One does not marry all the people
one likes"
"Of course not; but nobody could help
liking him; he's the stunningest fellow
alive
Hes a splendid man." said the girl.
'ThereT'
well, what?'
You are coming round"
L can't come round, because I was al
ways in the same place in that respect y
Then let me tell you you have dismiss
ed the best chap alive. You don't know
what he's done for me-
mo, 1 don't know that"
''He saved my life up in India; killed
a tiger which was going to make a meal
Off yours truly. He's the most popular
man on the staff corps, and then-and
then
''What?" she asked, in a softened man
ner; tell me all, Art, dear, please"
Are you dancing this timer
mo - MI "a -
THAT is all rigt"
TT is a long story, then?'' she said,
with smile
Pretty long"
Just then the band struck up the San
tiago valse.
Poor Req" she murmured.
"Ah! You call him Reg now
ry?''
1T is simply this, Stella. I should have
blown out my brains out there at Simla
If it had not been for him.
What do you tell me?'
why that I had played the fool-gam-
bled was in debt"
''Oh, Artr'
well, it was sending in my papers
or death-both-both 1 was down indeed
the same thing, you will say Death or
resignation, it did not matter which
And afterwards?"
''Why, one night when it came to the
very end, and 1 was thinking about moth
err and you, there came a tap at nv door.
Fartrey. He knew all. He is older than
am. He said, You must let me helm
you out of this. And did help me but.
That's the sort of man he is
The girl was silent
rs it not magnificent"
Yes, it is very fine
Stella, 1 wish you said Yes"
1T is no use wishing that row.
But if"
She held up her hand.
Let US leave all that"
"A moment later she was dancing again
but ArthUr's words chung to her IIod
she made a mistake? She was silent
when her brother handed her into her
carriage, and as they drove home But
she had made up her mind.
Art" she exclaimed, as thew stood :,
moment in the boudoir where refresh
ments had been laid out, and where
wood fire blazed cheerily.
What is it?' he said, as he put down
me paper ne had casually picked UP.
1t IS this, dear old boy" she said.
away" SUES
so shall I; but what are you going
There. had better not tell YOU, she
said Goodnight"
paper. ~ eii7
All through the long night she reflected
on What she had done; she loved Vartrev,
She knew it now : >
Stella rose early on the following morn
lng' before anyone else, and asfonisbe4.
.her maid by ringing for her, and meeting
her on the stairs, dressed to go out
snail get yoa some tea, miss?'
Yes, but quickly
The maid hurried down stairs, ASKING
herself where Miss Stella could he coins
at a. m. And after ball!
After she had drunk the tea Stella left
the house. The streets in that Fashionable
West End quarter still wore very
matutinal appearance-the odd impress
sion of recommencement. Comparatively
few people were about
millLnan stopped and looked at the
inquire OF the stylishly dressed girl in her
long faWn coat and black pluned hat.
"A "A hanson was standing at the kerb.
..keb, ICY said the driver
st The dspTgins doors flew open ana she
Where to, Lidy?"
Drive me to Jermyn street Please
go very. quickly