The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-05-28
THE VARIETIES
VISITOR
By RATE N. ,CLEARY
Copyright. 1904, by Daily Story Pub. COY

(D~3s
Copyright. 1904 by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub Coz
--As she leans-the slow smile half shut up
in her eyes
Beams the sleepy, long, silk-soft lashes
beneath.
Through her crimson lips, stirred by her
faint replies,
Breaks one CLEAN of her pearl-white
teeth!'
Owen Meredith
WITHOUT wild March storm was
wv raging. 1t went clustering along
the city streets. 1t drove pedestrians to
driving against the plate glass windows
OF aristocratic Linden square, and half
blinded man seeking. a certain number
along that thoroughfare.
-'There-that's the number Frank
said!" The cab dismissed, he turned to
the house, which was one of closely
built block. of residences, each dissim-
ilar in design, but not sufficiently so
to make distinction easy in such storm.
The vestibule door yielded to his grip
on the door handle. The insertion of his
latch key in the lock Of the inner portal
admitted him to wide, imposing hall,
where a cluster of electric lights shed
subdued effulgence from sheaf of pop
pies upheld on the newell post by a
bronze Ceres.
Hildreth NARROW soundlessly closed
the door behind him, and stood notion
less a moment, breathing heavily. He
found the seclusion and warmth Of this
haven delightful after his battle with
tine elements.
"By George, but these chaps back in
civilization do go in for comfort" he
considered.
Seems pretty big establishment for
only Frank and his wife. Well. III make
myself at home, as he suggested.
He turned to the left. as he had been
Instructed, opened a door, and stood In
Gismayed establishment stock-still upon
the threshold. For the great, luxurious
apartment was softly, but brilliantly
lighted, and-possessed an occupant.
A large Administer rug covered the
floor. The wide, low chairs were COW
cred with loose leather. On the dwarf
bookcases that ran around the walls
were bronzes and photographs. Below,
the volumes in fine bindings, made a
tempting sight. A jolly good fire blazed
behind low brass fender. And full in
the fireshine, her gown of dull ruby silk
sweeping about her dainty suede Slip
pers, sat the most charming woman
NIarlowe had laid entranced eyes upon
in many day.
She was petite and plump. She had
lots of bright brown hair fluffed up in
aureole fashion over her forehead Her
complexion had the wel-defined red and
white of a damask rose But just now
there was decidedly startled look in
her wide blue eyes, and she half rose
from her seat in evident alarm
81 beg your pardon. Mrs. Rogers!"
Marlowe apologized, contritely. cts
a dreadful intrusion, know. l
hardly know how to explain my
walking in like this! But Frank
had to stay downtown at po-
litical meeting. He said you were away
visiting your mother He also said the
servants might be out, and that the
housekeeper was so deaf I'd better take
his latch-key and let myself in! I'm
afraid gave you CHASTITY fright"
She smiled reassured-and reassuring-
Jy. When she did so the dimples came
and went bewitchingly in the pink vel
vet of her cheeks
II was frightened--a little-at first!
You are the gentleman Mr.. Rogers
-Frank-has been expecting from
ALASKA, presumed"
~He has mentioned me to you then:
Thanks will get out of this wet over.
coat"
ttWhen he had left hat and coat in the
hall he came over to the hearth, ant
stood holding out a handsome brown
hand to the blaze. We've been together
all the afternoon. We dined at one O
your big hotels But he knew local poll
dies we're not in my line, after ten year.
in Alaska, so he got cab and packed m,
off. assure you had all the sensations
of a detected housebreaker when
opened the door and discovered-you!
She laughed little ripping, musica
Waugh that sounded like heavenliest mel
Ody TO this man long Gebarred from assO
citation with refined women
I'm afraid you credit our ordinar,
burglar with modesty he does not pos
sess!" she declared. "Sit down and tel
me about your far-away world of snow
and hardships, and deprivations!"
He needed no urging. 1t was pro
1oundly pleasant 10 lounge there in tn
warmth and light, and hear the rail
beating about the glass. That intereste,
and radiant face confronting him woul
have inspired less fascinating recon
teur than Hildreth Marlowe to pleas
such Desdemona. He talked much
But he also talked we'll. For, being col
2ege bred, and man of keen observa
ton, he had brought back with hir
treasures of picturesque truth that 9th
ers had. underestimate, or passed I'm
noticed.