The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-13

well, goodby, you dreadful Bohe-
milan creature!" she said, giving me an
affectionate squeeze of the hand. 81
do wish you'd get on. Christ" she added
as regretful afterthought.
"Oh, do-thirty- last Shrove
Tuesday, pom my world" 1 replied rue
fully
You know what 1 mean-become a
K. c., or something or other-be bril-
nantly successful"
It's so .vulgar!" said. with a shake
Of my head
She looked at me critically and gave
a motherly sigh.
'Tm very much afraid It'll be No. 2
Saxbury Court and the small private
income for all the time!". she said
THE former is comfy, and the latter
can be put up with. Goodby. I'll come
to breakfast with you some morning
if you promise not to have it before
IL"
She laughed, and I watched the dear
old soul drive away; then l turned
and strOlled back to the Strand, and
from there to Saxbury Court, which
was a delightfully."- quiet little nook,
composed of some dozen old fashioned
houses let off in suites to law people,
writing persons, artists, and a few
others of like type. We all knew one
another, and We're d cheerful little COM
munity.
[ made my way up to my own rooms,
and had no sooner lighted my pipe
and made myself comfortable than the
door opened, and young person en-
tered like a whirlWind. She danced
across to my chair, and held paper
bag up before my eyes: u
L am going to have tea with you,
Chris" she annOune9dGo3r
L notice you very frequently do
observed "a
and I've brought treat-now,
guess!" she cried, dangling the bag,
"Crumpst" I venturedy
She shook her head with a laugh,
and displayed the contents triumphant
ly. Just gorgeous little chocolate
cakies-they're ever satshice!"
And expensive I nlurmured.
Dear, economical old person! You
forget I'm earning two pounds q week
and it was treasury today. Doesn't
it sound jolly?n .sazco
She removed her haiti was an
alluring little toqueA;4nd set about
things with a business-like air. Tea
was always 4 self made feast at No
Saxbury Court.g Smoking my pipe, I
watched her reflectiveTy.
Kitty was the only daughter of an
old barrister, a friend of mine, who
had died some little time ago, leaving
her badly provided for. So Kitty had
to work for her living, and, three
years back, had COME with a girl
friend, who drew for the illustrated
papers, to Saxbury Court. They1lived
in the rooms above mine, and Kitty
had become a great fayorite with the
little community. She was of a; joy
GUS disposition, and had lately OBJ
tanned a small part in the first piece at
a West End comedy theater. =-,----
She had been bending over the fire,
cooking some toast. Suddenly she
looked up at me.
We'll, nice old person. of what are
you thinking" she said, with a smile.
Il To tell the truth, Z had been thiTik.
ing for the hundredth time how
splendidly young she was, and how
stupidity old I had grown to be-
thirty-five last Shrove- Tuesday and
gray hairs into the bargain! n. But i
fully grasped the situation; I was
merely the mice old person. and any
thing else was out of the question:
4 was thinking that we might have
the tall young visitor today" said,
untruthfuily. .Jr sL 81 gie1
~, I looked straight at her, and saw a
little touch of, color fly to her cheek.
Then [ laughed gently to myself. -
There was a tap at the door, and
the next moment a good looking
youngster in Immaculate frock coat
and silk hat entered. He glanced
round the room expectant1y, and his
face lighted up as he caught sight of
Kitty. 1t was very obviousi
The Hon. Gerald Derisford seemed
terribly out of place in the Bohemian
atmosphere of Saxbury Court, for he
was very serious young man, with
great ambitions in the political line,
and was unsalaried- secretary to the
great Lord Brymour. r In addition, he
was unbecomingly wealthy and dis
tressingly aristocratic.-.
Still, he came, and WELCOMED him,
for we of Saxbury Court had our Kit
tvs future to bear in mind. Was she
not Ted CarvilPs daughter? And if
she loved hinn-well, he5was eminently
desirable
Kitty chartered herr brightest and
gave a vivid description of her part in
a piece that was to be produced at a
charity matinee in aid of the home
for Poor Authors unEonfortably full
just now. A brilliant touch Of novelty
had been impaired to THE performance
by the fact that the piece was to be
played entirely by ladieseand Kitty had
been specially chosen to enact the
part of John Chichester,d5a artist hero,
who was much tempted Before the final
fall of the curtain. #
After tea 1 insisted on going out with
a letter to catch the country post. 1t
was an old eXpedient, but flatter my
self I did it gracefully
When, at length, I returned, Kitty
jumped to her feet with a glance at
the clock. Il promised to meet Ethel
at Liberty's at half past s." she ex-
claimed: "Goodby, Mr.. Derisford. Hope
you'll be able to come to the matinee
next Tuesday"
He shook her hand, retaining it for
a moment or SO more than was neces-
sary-a hopeful sign, I thought. Then
Kitty turned to me-
Chris, dear, Shall be back at 6: 50.
Would you like to have dinner with me
at Pianos? IT'S treasury day you
know"
"Pilano's?" queried the Hon. GeraIt.
with an air of perplexity. 81 don't think
l know the name"
''Oh, you wouldn't" put in hastily.
We're not telling anyone. It's only by
keeping the proprietor poor that we
can maintain the quality
Kitty laughed lightly, and, with a
little wave of her hand to both of US,
ran off. The Hon. Gerald stared after
thoughfuliy. When he turned to me
there was an anxious expression on
his grave young face seI
Its very hard to know what to de-
eide, Helder," he said, as if giving voice
to his thoughts. 'aTwixt love and
duty-my career, the old position-you
understand" He held out his hand to
me. "Goodby." 7il6ss
"Goodby," I answered., "And if it's
really question Of 'twixt love and duty
to yourself, try love first and fit in the
duty afterward." srrrl
He went, and l stood staring at the
door through which he, had disappear
"a fair-sized young Ipuig, but honest"
L reflected. and the marriage would
mean such lot to heF-she's far too
good to spend her lifesaWaiting for two
pound Treasury, da1c Ard-I fancy. she