The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-23

Maj. Blacker, having had a COM
mission for twelve years or so in the
til Hussars, had not long attained
field rank when he Unexpectedly came
into a large fortune.
In person the major was tall,
handsome man, of ariStOcratic appear
ance and imposing carriage. His man
ner was easy, and beyond doubt well
| bred, though even in his most genial
moods it was tinctured with certaiH
air of reserve.
The major if he occasionally lost
his heart to a woman Though even
| that I am disposed to doubt), certain
ly never lost his head, always retaining
his prudence in his pleasures, and new
er allowing his amours to run away
with his discretion.
One of these was Lady Laura Raven
| hill, younger daughter of the Earl OF
| Crowborough
Lady Laura was, perhaps, the most
| beautiful blonde of her day in London
| society.
| 1t was one evening about the middle
| of April in the year IS. He sat alone
| in his library, smoking his after din
| ner cigar and smiling, half ironically,
| half in satisfaction, at dainty little
note, on watered blue paper, which he
| held spread out before him. The note
/ was from Lady Laura Ravenhill. It's
| contents were these:
Dear Mai. Blacker: I wish to call
| and see you this evening at 9:3O on
| very particular business Please be at
| home, there's a dear man. Yours.
| Il. RI
| And he smiled and blew half a doz-
| en- smoke rings, which he contemplate
| ed thoughtfullY, as they lowered in
the air before his eyes.
Just then the street door bell rang.
n &100I 1in1s
/ His surmise was correct. minute
| or two later his butler entered with
| the announcement that Lady Laura
| Ravenhill had called and was waiting
| in the drawing room.
| Thither, having thrown away his
| cigar, the major repaired.
Lady Laura held out her pretty
| little hand to him. He took it and
/ pressed it. 1t was impossible to hold
| Lady Laura's hand in yours and do
| otherwise.
| II am deeply honored by this visit"
| he told her, CALAMITY.
| ooh, come now, don't talk in that
| horid, formal way. Such old friends
! as you and are, too replied her lady
| ingly to his and forming her pretty
| lips into reproachful pout. Surely
| YOU know me we'll enough to discard
unmeaning civilitfes."
"You wish to talk buSineSS?"
| Eyes, but in a friendly way; quite
| in a friendly way, my dear major. 1t
| is not to be supposed that you and /
| shall stand on ceremony We under
| stand each other too well, don't we?"
| Perhaps we do" he replied, seating
| himself on a low chair at Lady Laura's
| side and lingering his grizzled mus
| tache as his habit was.
81 don't mind telling you," she went
| on, in her soft, seductive voice,
though i wouldn't confide 1t to any
| one else in the world, that my finances
4 are just now in a very embarrassed
| state, and it is absolutely imperative
| that should bring off something good
| at EPSON"
"And you think that can help
you?" he inquired.
81 am sure you cam" she answered,
| confidently. you see, well-in fact,
I have some idea of backing your FLY,
| Aurora Borealis."
''My dear Lady Laura" he replied,
Struggling his shoulders expressively,
IT have not the power of looking into
the future wish / had. How do you
imagine can possibly tell?"
Eat any rate, you can tell me this
she exclaimed, with eager insistence,
1T mean whether Aurora Borealis is
not going to win7"
| The meaning conveyed by her CUES