The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-05-28
She admired his rugged physique, his

approved the aesthetic beauty of the
| woman, the luster of her hair, the deli
cate sweep of chin and throat, the f1ut-
ter and grace of the little ringed, white
| hands.
Indeed an hour whisked away at a
most astonishing rate of speed.
at is almost time for Frank" he be-
gan, when distant cry startled him. 1t
was the voice of child, he fancied.
Frank had said he had no children.
Marlowe sent an inquiring glance to-
ward his vis-a-vis
"You will excuse me few minutes"
she begged, and passed to the door. He
heard the rustic of her gown as she went
upstairs. The sound of the crying
ceased. When shereentered the room she
sat down at a little French desk and
wrote few lines. She touched the but
ton in the wall, and TO the servant who
appeared, gave the note, with low word
of instruction.
when Mr.. Rogers comes" she said,
gayly, as she sank again in her own
seat, 1--WE will have little late sup
per- Men always enjoy meals at I'M
earthly hours!" she laughed.
Mrs. Rogers" Marlowe said, earnest
ly, leaning towards her. I'm going to
confide in you. Will you permit me to
be personal-ard perhaps egotistic?"
81 shall be charmed" she avowed.
"Well, Pm no fatalist. l believe that
a man makes himself and creates his for
tune, good or evil The old Persian who
wrote about ones Heaven or hell being
in ones self alone had the right idea.
l made up my mind years ago that I'd go
through college, and | did-worked my
way through. Then went west, pre-
pared to undergo all imaginable tests of
| endurance and endeavor until | had
amassed fortune. I've done that, too
but it's been pull Now. I'm back"
"And now-what is your next ambi-
tion?" she questioned, smiling.
There are two" he answered, prompt
ly. lone includes the other. | want a
wife and home"
He was so direct and simple in his
statement, so like great, unsophisti-
Gated boy, for all his experience and
travel, that she nodded sympathetically.
"You-don't think I'm impertinent!
he begged, "but-have you sister,
Mrs. Rogers?"
"Yes-the dearest sister!" The dim
pies were in evidence again.
you have? Does she resemble you?"
He was intensely in earnest. will you
introduce me to her?"
with pleasure!" He misunderstood
the hooking light in those laughing eyes,
and was about to thank her, when she
put out pretty, protesting hand. I'm
SO sure you would admire Ellen's chill
dren,' she said. "They are darlings!"
"Oh!" he calculated, blankly. "She
is married, then?"
Eyes. I've just been up with the little
lad. He had bad dream. Just now his
mother is indisposed. or she would come
down to meet YOU" They heard the hall
door open-a tread in the hall
There" rising hastily, "there is Mr..
Rogers now!" she said.
Storm-beaten and red-faced Frank
Rogers came busting in. He looked
from one to the other of the occupants of
shook, his broad shoulders heaving, his
countenance convulsed with mirth. And
the lady before the hearth laughed, toe
"a low long peal that broke on the air
like silvery spray.
Marlowe stood petrified with aston
ishment. 1t was his hostess who took
pity on his bewilderment
Mr. Rogers lives next door," she ex-
planned. "These two houses were built
for sisters, originally. and the locks
could be opened by either. Lsent wore
to Mr. Rogers that you were here, and
The jolly short man stopped laughing
long enough to make proper introduce
lions.
This is Mrs. Vanreith's home into
which you've Numbered, old boy" he de
clared. "She is ill, and her sister is stay
ing with her. Allow me to introduce you
Hildreth, to Miss Elaine Sherwood"
The man from the west bowed per
functorily. Miss-Elaine Sherwood
Good! But you seemed to know mel
he blurted out. "You said Mr.. Roger
was expecting"
HE WaS!" She beamed, and the dim
pies came back. Gle told me when me
him in the train yesterday that the oil
, friend Of whom he was always ravin!
was coming to visit him"
"But why did you not"
''Undeceive you? Not for worlds
What! Have Mr.. Rogers miss all the full
of witnessing your discontinue? Hoy
very unneighborly you must imagin
mel"
, II know what imagine you!" avowe,
Marlowe. in significant aside.
I, "Now," cried the girl, ignoring tn
speech and the glance that accompanied
, it, although the pink in her cheeks ha
j, deepened to carmine, "I'm going to Sc
!, about some supper"
When she had vanished NARROW
q brought his fist down on the arm of hi
chair with a mighty thud.
Rogers, I'm going to marry that girl!
: he announced.
1 Shouldn't wonder!" assented Roger:
: cheerily. you've got a way of takin
: destiny by storm. Miss Elaine will like
ly be no exception"