The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-09

A good looking, clean shaven man
leaned against the wall of the ballroom.
He did not dance, but watched the re-
volving couples in cynical silence.
Presently he became aware of a
woman standing beside him. He OBJ
served that she was beautiful. Dane
ing had apparently no attractions for
her, either. Several men pleaded for a
waltz but none met with success.
Then the man next to, her turned,
and, meeting her eye, smiled. A look
of faint surprise came into her eyes;
then an almost imperceptible smile
crept over her face, too. 49,
You are like me-" he began, "only a
looker-on at this game
yes, / don't dance" she answered
coldly; Il see nothing attractive in be-
ing dragged around the room with
probably strange mans arm round
YOU" - 5ae az 8 "a g
"Ah! you are realistic" -
mo; / am morbid" ~ 80
you don't look it, 7iFT
'"These lights flatter one"
The man looked into her eyes-eyes
Of soft blue with dark rims round.
There was something nice about them,
he thought, and her curved. red mouth,
hardly meeting over her white teeth,
was absurdedly alluring
Are you great friend of Lady Der
VlSn z! ne asked. -4..e
No; are you?"
mo"
'I am glad. Now we know we shall
not meet again. How much more in
teresting life would be if we only met
people once!" ...o,.,c.s, ~ -
ct would make life so full Of might
have beens,'" he answered slowly. "Be-
sides l sometimes like to meet people
again. Do you never take fancies, may
I ask?"
Rarely; it only means further disil-
lusionment" -h"V Gu ~
"Well, you have ethe pull of me.
have never had an illusion, and miss
at least the experience of losing them.
Have all yours goneWo .iaist 80 ~ls
Il have one left"
81 suppose I must not ask what that
is?" fa,9
81 would not tell you if you did"
when I know you better I shall find
out"
But you will never know me better,
or should not be talking to you now"
"The worlds small place"
And large one, tool"
He threw offshis air of boredom.
But I wish to see more Of you-you
interest me-"
And for the first time she let her eyes
rest on his.
ought to be gathering rosebuds."
'They prick my fingers too much"
she answered quietly.
$50 you have gathered" and he
looked at her keenly. And was there
no one to bind up the poor wounded
ingers?"
20 yes-but in the binding they got
wounded afresh-listen! what's that
waltz they are playing? Oh. I remem-
L. Sch, a0t
A look of distress came into the girls
beautiful face.
"Oh see-remfnds you of things
you had forgotten!"
mo; 1t reminds me of things 1 re-
member"
There is nothing I care to remem-
Der. I wish there were. l think | am
an anomaly. I am forty-five and have
never been in love-"
"There might be hope for me. then!"
she said mockingly.
Yes; 1 would give good deal to
bring little expression other than sad
into those eyes of yours
Doesn't that sound rather CONNER
cial?"
"Will you tell me your name?" he
asked abruptly.
Certainly not; we only speak each
other in passing"
"As you please; but come and sit
down away from this crowd"
She hesitated, then indolently fol-
lowed him to an alcove on the stairs.
When they were seated he looked at
her critically.
II wish you were less beautiful"
"Why?" ,-ev
Because, without any humbug. I
want to see you again lawfully But
we are sure to meet. I know half the
people here-SO do YOU
II go abroad tomorrow"
"Put 1t off for day or two, and dine
with me instead
II am not going to pretend to be
shocked at your unconventionality, be-
cause 1 am not: but / am much too
selfish to alter my plans for anyone"
Then it would bore your"
Not exactly bore me. but 1t might
not interest me-" ..s.,...,..,. .,...
"You are candid"
Cor disillusioned?
But tell me something about your
self. Don't turn your head away
Like the color Of your eyes,. After all,
I believe they are green. not blue"
She showed her white teeth in an
amused smile.
Stories of unhappy women are
never profitable
Eyes. they-are, when the woman is
lovely like you. l can be awfully SYM
pathetic
II expect you could be-" she said
slowly. and the blue eyes with the
darker rims softened as she looked at
him.
have made me realize that under some