The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-03-17

Thus Eta Sydney scarborough was
abled to throw down her cards at
It and win the game she had played
skillfully. The widow of an obscure
tie foreign office clerk. she might
We been a baroness, but she put the
taller honor aside and aspired to q
ince.
Yes" says Eta, allowing Paul to
Ike her perfectly gloved hand in his
eat, steady grasp, Eyes, | have my
lswer ready"
They were alone in the plashy soli-
tde Of an inner conservatory, between
le songs of the great singers. She
as half afraid of this strong man. for
had strange ways with him-not
ncouth, but unusual and somewhat
uprising in finnicking. emotionless
eneration.
And what is it," whispered Pau
agerly. All, what fools men are
What fools they always will be!
Eta gave little nod. looking shame
acedly down at the pattern Of her
ace fan.
Is lIdI IL. ue uShcu DleIttiicoSif-
The nod was repeated. and Paul
Howard Alexis was thereby made the
appieSt man in England. She hall eX-
ected him TO take her III his arms de
bite the temporary nature of their sol
'ude Perhaps she half wished it. for
hind her businesslike and exceeding
practical appreciation of his wealth
ere lurked q very feminine curiosity
I'd interest in his feelings. a curiosity
pmewhat whetted by the manifold
ifferenceS that existed between him
nd the society lovers with whom she
ad hitherto played the pretty game.
But Paul contented himself with
aising the gloved fingers to his lips.
restrained by feeling of respect fo:
ler which she would not have under
stood and probably did not merit.
But" she said, with sudden smile,
81 take no responsibility. | am not
very sure that it will be IL success.
can only try to make you happy. Good
ness knows if | shall succeed"
You have only to be yourself to do
tIlIl, uC llS"CiCt vail lON cI-llhc
promptneSs and blindness which is
the special privilege of those happy
fools.
She gave a strange little smile
But how do | know that our lives
will harmonic in the least? | know
othing of your daily eyistence-where
on live, where you want to live
Il should like to live mostly in Rus
a. he answered honestly.
Her expression did not change. 1t
ierely fixed itself as one sees the face
watching cat fix itself when the
)nged for mouse shows whisker
"Ah," she said lightly. confident in
er own power, that will arrange it
elf later
Il am glad l am rich.' said Paul SIM
Y, because l shall be able to give
)u all you want. There are many lit
things that add to wOmans COM
)rt. l shall find them out and see that
on have them"
Are you so very rich, Paul?' she
sked, with an innocent wonder. "But
don't think it matters. Do you? do
OF think that riches have much to do
nth happiness"
NO" he answered.
Except, of course" she said, chat
ne may do good with great riches"
She gave a little sigh as if deplor-
ng the misfortune that hitherto her
own small means had fallen short of
he happy point at which one may be-
gin doing good.
Are you so very rich, Paul?" she re-
Gated as if she was rather afraid Of
lose riches and mistrusted them.
"Oh, suppose so! Horribly richw
She had withdrawn her hand. She
ave it to him again, with pretty
movement usually understood to indi-
,ate bashfulness.
1T can't be helped" she said. eve"
she dwelt upon the word ever so
alShtiy-"we can perhaps do a little
good with it,
Then suddenly he blurted out all his
wishes on this pDint-his quixotic aims. |
he foolish imaginings of a too chiyal-
ous soul. She listened, prettily eager.
weetly compassionate of the sorrows
4 the peasantry whom he made the
bject of his simple pity. Her gray
yes contracted with horror when he
Did her Of the misery with which he
vas too familiar. Her pretty lips
uivered when he told her of little
hildren born only to starve because
cir mothers were starving. She laid
gloved fingers gently on his when
recounted tales of strong men-good |
Tiers in their simple, barbarous way |
who were We'll content that the chill |
en- Should die rather than be saved |!
pass miserable existence, without |
y, without hope.
She lifted her eyes with admiration |
his face when he told her what lie
ped to do, what he dreamed of ac-
mplishing. She even made a few |
sger. heartfelt suggestions, fifty COM
g from woman-touched with a wo- |
ans tenderness. lightened by a wo-
1ans sympathy and knowledge.
1t was in. its way a tragedy. the |
.cture we are called, to look upon !
csc newly made lovers, not talking of