The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-14
lister Mercy.


speech. And as she stood Smlllng upon
John Sanders, Mercy noted that the ser
geant's daughter had town gown and
a smart hat, and quite the town manner
about her Moreover, she was even hand
somer that Lettice Amory.
Who'd have dreamt of meeting your
John was saying.
I'm staying up with the housekeeper
at the vicarage,' explained Rosa. "She's
a cousin of fathers, and since father left
the regiment and became drill-instructor
to the militia, she's made herself more
known to us. That's how it comes I'm
spending a time with her while she's left
alone. 1t did just come to my mind that
I mls--u see you, as father said you were
living in Bradhembury now"
81 see'' responded John; and then with
a slightly fiustered air he introduced his
sister to Rosa
The ulue eyes and the sedate gray ones
met - an instantaneous scrutiny, and in
Mercy's expression there was an evident
austerity. Watching his sisters face,
John was puzzled and little embarrass-
ed. He saw in the same glance look
of surprise in Rosa's eyes.
Sharp as the stab of knife, the con-
viction that John would love Rosa Muir
ply went home to Mercy's heart With
a woman's subtle intuition she discovered
the signs of admiration in her brothers
shy gaze at this Irish girl, who had
come like a bolt in the blue few mo-
ments before Mercy had enjoyed that
sense of exclusive possession of John
which was like the love of a wife for
her spouse. The three walked along, and
John was by Rosa's side, asking ques-
tons about the old regiment and his
messmates, while he paid no heed to the
cloud that had settled upon Mercy's face
AT the bridge Mercy said, in a stiff. I'M
wonted tone, II think I'll be getting back
to see about supper and with a jerk of
her head to Rosa she turned upon her
heel and passed quickly out of sight in
the gathering river mist.
After that evening John Sanders observ-
ed a curious change In his sisters man.
ner towards him. She spoke but little
and her speech was snappish, while an
aged and grim look came into her face
and her eyes were sad. But not until
he proposed that Mercy should ask Rosa
to take tea at the shop did John learn
the reason of his sisters cold mood.
OF course, John, if you wish Miss Muir
ply to come. here I'll not hinder you,''
she said, quietly. IF youIl say the day,
I'll arrange to be out
why is that?" he asked, raising his
black eyebrows. I'D like you to let the
tea, Mercy, and to make Rosa feel at
home"
II don't call to mind ever refusing YOU
anything" said Mercy; but don't wish
to know Miss Murphy"
why in the world not?'
81 don't wish to know her, john re-
turned Mercy.
why not? It's so queer.''
Will get the tea ready, and go OUT
But she can't come if you're not here
1t wouldn't be quite the right thing
Mercy made no remark, and John con-
tinued:
IF you don't~wish her to come, then
she can't come. 1t rests with you, Mer-
cy. Don't you like Miss Murphy?''
II don't wish to know her." And Mer-
cy would say no more
very well,' said John, in a tone Of
plque. I'll not ask her to tea. But
what ais you these days, Mercy? You're
out of sorts with me-. it's plain enough.
yet L can't mind what I've done to give
offense"
A large tear trickled down Mercy's
cheek, and she rose as though she would
hurry from the room. But John took her
arm, saying: What is it, little grip"
"Oh, don't bother mev' cried Mercy. an
grily. Get on your best clothes. and be
on to Miss Murphy; I know you're han
Kerlng to go. I'm nothing to you now,
since that Irish girl came. After all I've
been, too! It's no good keeping it any
longer from me, John. You've engaged
yourself to her" Her words came in
Jerks and sobs Johns eyes followed the
retiring form of his sister with a stare
OF sheer beW1lderment. The possibility of
a sisters jealousy of her brothers sweet
heart had never presented itself to his
mind as psychological problem, nor in
deed, had he conceived that such an emo
tlon could exist in Mercy's bosom. On
the contrary, he was under the delusion
that Mercy would rejoice in his promised
happiness.
During the ensuing days it came to
Mercys ears that her brother was really
counting Rosa Murphy in earnest; in fact
1t was common gossip that the two were
pighted lovers.
one evening when John came in with
a lovers radiance upon his face. Mercv
glanced up from her sewing. with hard
Anes ABOUT her mouth, and the gray look
which her brother knew so well now
WIN smile John presented her with a
punch of pansies that he had held be-
hlnd MIN as he entered the room. The
pansles were the finest that grew in the
squlres garden, and John had begged
them OF the gardener to give to Mercy
L thought you'd like these" said Tobn
putting his hand on Mercy's shoulder
II gr1eved and eXasperated him when
mercy shrank from his touch and netu-
lahtly declined the flowers. Was there
no way OF making the peace again? She
was as fractions as a child.
ged ne oes-
You had better give them to Miss MIR
phy," she said, frigidly.
Il brought them for vo7, ;. HE co.
darkened at the slight offered his a.
tempted reconciliation, and the ,,an+-nn
irritation of the past month burst from
hIm IN an uncomfortable attack of rago
very well!' he cried, dashing the nan
sizes to the floor and stamping fi5on tbo
Ialr blooms, you wish to annoy me and
you succeed I've tried not to fall ont
Win Vou' put you're bent on duarreIing >,
III.
r TOT reasons plain to Mercy the visits of
Lettlce Amory to the shop became rarer
until they ceased altogether Tcettica 1va .
now o1ten at the postoffice. chatting To
MRS: Hood, and, quite naturally. the tonic
OF John Sanders love affair was keepI1J
discussed. 90 'AeoiiS
suppose it's quite true what thew say
that John Sanders is really enea god fo
the young person staying up to Clannocl1
Vlcarage! Z" asked Mrs. Hood, looking over,
her spectacles at Lettuce
QUITE true, [ believe" replied Lettice.
In tone of Indifference.
It's come like blow for Johns >is+,v
she's that attached to him."
Yes, I daresay she'll feel lonely when
ne leaves her. 1t isn't as though there
was any chance of her marrying now.
She's too DID,
old, do you call her, Miss Am0ry ?
why my dear, she's only thirty-one.,
wen, that's old for a woman" said
Lettuce, whose years were nineteen .if
I'm, not married years and years before
that | shall consider myself quite an old
Then you reckon that Mercy Sanders