The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-16

that in another week she would have
left the gay little seaside resort where
she and her father had come for a
change and be back in the quiet
rectory at home.
This morning, having left her father
busy over his correspondence and hav-
ing no definite plans to put into exc
cution, Mollie strolled down to the
beach. and seating herself on a break
water, idly watched the waves COM
ing in.
Presently tall young man sauntered
toward her.
Good morning, Miss Armstrong" he
cried, raising his hat. 'Tve been look
ing for you in the gardens. Won't you
come in and hear the band?"
Yes, / should like to very much"
answered Mollie, as Charlie Maitland
came up and held out his hand to help
her to rise.
AS they walked down the promenade
side by side Mollie smiled quietly to
herself. but the man with her did not
see the smile nor guess at her thoughts
She was thinking what fiirt he was,
and wondering how much or how lit
tie his heart was touched by this time.
She came to the conclusion 1t was Just
as we'll she had hitherto declined to
take his attentions seriously. Only a
few days remained now before her
departure, and Mr.. Maitland had con-
stituted himself her devoted cavalier
for several weeks, but In spite of
compliments and attentions he had
spoken no word that could be con-
strued into definite declaration. And
yet his whole bearing towards her was
such as might easily have justified her
in anticipating one
The last day of her visit to Beachy-
Cliff came all too soon, and Mollie
felt some little curiosity as to whether
Maitland would make any effort to try
to see her in the future, or at least
to write to her. The morning drew
on to afternoon. and he arrived at the
station to see her and the rector off,
with a bunch of flowers in his hand.
which he offered to her as a parting
greeting.
Il hope We shall meet again before
long" Charlie Maitland said, pressing
her hand while Mollie reflected that
under the circumstances it would be the
merest chance If they did.
The train steamed out of the station
as he stood on the platform a moment,
w. AAA0 his Acl W Oul HC udu
ed away long ere she was borne out Of
sight.
Mollie watched his diminishing
figure. "a f1irti" she said to herself,
bending over the flowers. "Well, 1 am
glad l had the sense to recognize it,"
And she asked herself whether on her
part she had been altogether guiltless
of Irritation.
Summer had gone, and autumn was
being merged in yUinfar II
vember; dreary month truly, but
Mollfe Armstrong, in the stately old
Yorkshire mansion of her friends the
Hursts, felt gay and cheerful. She had
just arrived on long promised visit.
and she and Irene Hurst were now busy
chatting in the latter's boudoir, previ-
Gus to descending to dinner.
Mr.. Maitland is coming tonight"
said Irene. Il do want you to see him;
he Is quite an intimate friend Of ours,
you know"
Mr.. Maitland! Mollie preserved her
composure and gave no sign that the
name was familiar to her. A summer
holidays acquaintance formed at a
boarding house counted for nothing.
she decided; so she remained silent
while Irene went on:
HE brings his brother sometimes;
you will like him, Mollie; he's quite
your STYLE"
When Irene mentioned a brother.
Mollie began to wonder which of the
two 1t was that she knew, and with a
view of finding out in order that she
might feel more sure of her ground,
presently she remarked carelessly.
Il met Mr.. Maitland these holidays
at Beachy; wonder if it Is the same p
Which did you meet?" asked Irene
quickly, Charlie of Guy?"
1t was a Charlie Maitland" an
swered Mollie.
"Oh!" said Irene, in slightly disap-
pointed tone, that is the one we know
best!"
So Charlie Maitland was the friend
of the family at Hurst Denei MoIlie
looked at Irene Hurst with her golden
hair and peach blossom complexion and
wondered whether their charm had
succeeded in riveting his affections
where her own attractions had failed.
Well, he would be somewhat sur
prised to see her here, she fancied; no
doubt he had never expected to meet
/ her again, and if he were paying court
not be best pleased if his seaside flirta-
ton became known.
An hour later, as the two girls en-
tered her drawing room, a tall figure
came out of corner by the window
and advanced to greet them. He shook
hands with Irene and she presented
him to Mollfe: Guy Maitland-Miss
Armstrong"
Mollie looked up with interest, and
If ever there was case of love at first
sight it flashed into his eyes as they
met hers, and Mollie, without know
ing why, suddenly felt a strange shy-
ness come over her.
$50 your brother has not come. Mr.
Maitland" said Irene. and a close OBJ
server might have noticed a shade Of
disappointment in her voice.
mo; he was unfortunately prevent
ed" answered Guy, "and deputed ms
to utter his keen regrets" Bending a
look on Irene, he saw the blush he had
half anticipated color her cheeks at
his concluding words
The evening passed pleasantly. Mol
lie played and sang and Guy Maitland
fingered at her side as if he asked
nothing better. When, some hours
later, Mollie found herself in her own
room she threw herself into a huxuri-
Gus armchair feeling her heart stirred
as it had never been before. She had