The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-22

Of this kind a common affair with him, /
was passing by with no further display Of
interest than an inward sneer. when I
noted his expression and stopped short, If
not from sympathy, at least in some curl
osity as to the woman who could draw it
forth. Cultivate, she was w1ld-eyed,
painting creature, with chestnut colored
hair and Eervously working lips; not
beautiful, not even interestingly me. But
newell! l have seen few faces look as
his did then, and when she started 20
run-as she presently did, he caught at
the muddy shawl she wore and pulled her
lack as if his very life depended upon
restraining her at his side.
ST even saw him take that shawl
in his hand-such a shawl! I would not
have touched it for champagne supper,
and there have been times when he has
shown himself more squeamish on some
subjects than I. But he was not squeam-
ish now-far from it, for he not only held
that shawl, but fumbled with it, almost
chung to it, talking all the while with
yoluble persistency. At last he asked her
some questions which brought out a pas
sionate refusal. But if discouraged, he
did not show it.; on the contrary, he con-
tinued his plea with increasing earnest
ness, and finally pointed to his carriage
| She. gave it one look and shrank back
| with a gesture Of fear; then she grew
| steadier and her head fell forward on her
breast. He went on pleading with her,
and then I saw strange sight With an
air such as only swell like himself is
capable Of assuming, he signalled to his
driver to draw up at the curbstone before
! him. Then, as he might hand in one Of
| the four hundred, he handed her in and
! took his seat beside her. Not a look to the
right nor left-he was simple the perfect
| gentleman, and, obnoxious as he had al
ways been to me up to that hour, could
not but respect his manner If not himself.
| 1t was admirable, and so was that of the
| man who sat upon the box. Though the
| latter must have cringed when that dis
| reputable foot struck the step and what
| might. be called a bundle of rags entered
among his pearl satin cushions, he did NOT
| turn hair or lose a jot Of that serene
| absorption in his own affairs which char
acterizes all the Gillespie coachmen. I
| watched him expressly to see. A valuable
| fellow that, for master Of the eccentric
tastes of Leighton Gillespie!"'
! "You interest me-" said I. "Did you
| watch them drive OFF,"
eyes, and stood there staring till they
were half down the block, for she had not
accepted the situation with the same ease
as himself and I felt that something
would happen. And there did. Before
the polished panels were lost to my sight,
| the door burst open and saw her wild
figure jump out and plunge away in the
| olrection Oh tue river. !nls time ne naue
no attempt to follow her; the carriage
| rolled on and he with 1t. Nor did he do
what I would have done-let the door
stand open till the air Of that carriage
had been purged Of its late unwholesome
occupant. Altogether, it was an odd ex-
perience. What do you make out of it.
| Cultivate 2"
He's fellow who will bear studying.
| Is he always so respectful to the paupers
| he befriends?"
| Sam shrugged his shoulders.
| 81 have related my sole experience with
Leighton Gillespie in his role of phi1an-
| thropist. My other memories Of him sug-
| gest simply the millionaire's son.
(To be continued.)