The leader., 1905-04-29
Entertaining
an Angel q

l " Lie NilldSb lOF lOD1CGJs Abb141S ACt
all we had fall in the fire while cook
Ing fish, thereby spelling dinner as we'll
as the tobacco. We had parted with a
few unkind remarks, but a nap had
somewhat restored me The fact that
he was evidently supping in the vii
lage was a little trying. however. I
rose hastily, staring at the girl.
Where did you drop from2'' / de-
manded
From the skies, she said pertly.
"That, of course, said gravely
SO glad you told me. though, we have,
down on this mundane sphere, the
habit of considering all women as be-
ing of your class. It gives me more
pleasure than | can say to really know
one of the genuine article. Might one
inquire where are your wings?"
Hidden under my shirt waist, Of
course. only use them when am IN
the air.
II see. will you be seated. Miss
Angel? Is that the way to address
your"
Twill serve! You may be seated.
too. allow 1t in spite of my exalted
rank"
Thanks. There is one more thing
that worries me. Miss Angel If you
flew down, how did you get this torn
appearance? Did / not know better l
should think you and barbed wire
fence had had controversy.
Il fell, no, | lit in a blackberry
BUSH" she said as she gazed at her
torn walking skirt Il came here to
lsee what you are doing by yourself /"
81 am a hermit, you must know
that am womanhater, a misogyn-
list, a pessimist. a
"That is enough Do not pile on the
agony
well, / feel all that. Here / come
into the wilds of the forest
'Three miles from the village" she
interrupted zone mile from a sum
mer resort.
81 take no part in any of it. ! am
hidden away from petticoats-
.'There is a Chinaman at the springs
who wears them she fippantly re-
marked
Away from women" | said frown-
| ing. .And here they go and send one
| down from heaven. 1t is very hard
They knew no mere earthly woman
was good enough for you she jeered.
How admirably you grasp the sit
uation. How long are you sentenced
to stay with me?"
THAT depends on how worthy you
are: or how much in need of guar
dian angel you are"
81 certainly need one. Bat having
| done without all these % years, doubt
if can accustom myself to the lux
ury''
'sYou will wonder what you ever did
without me.
Doubtless, suppose you under
stand how particular hermit has to
be, SO will you kindly tell me for
whom you were guardian angel last,
how long you held down the job, and
if you have any references?'
81 have none she said sadly. "This
is my first assignment You can dis
miss me if you wish. There was grave
doubt as to whether you could be
trusted with a guardian angel; they
were sure you'd lose her Couldn't
you take me on my facet"
.Let me look at your face" leaned
forward, earnestly. She colored and
laughed.
evil / dor she said anxiously
"I'l1 tell you what see written
there" said, still looking at her. II
see, first of all, a pretty face"
"Go on, she said eneouragingly.
"The eyes are full OF mischief, and
she is enjoying novel situation-if
1T is novel;"
st is. am not in the habit of talk
ing to strange men"
mo? You seemed so ready, SO apt, :"
/ said rather sarcastically.
'You are very impertinent.
mot at all. | simply follow your
lead. I think have behaved remark
ably we'll considering everything" I
own was not acting as a gentleman,
but she was too pretty to be flirting
with strange men.
SHOW me the way to the village in
SANITY" she said, sternly
Il thought angels knew everything,
/ said, coolly.
She grew very white. We looked at
each other in silence. I'D rather die
in the woods, she said, than have
you show me the way I'd certainly
feel safer wandering than with you.
4 could have killed her was so angry
with her.
ut is your own fault, stormed.
ssYou led me on. If you go talking to
strange men in that style you won't
find them always as respectful as I've
been, | can tell you. Don't be silly.
You have lost your way. You are three
miles from the village, and it is nearly
dark. / have no intention of talking
10 you. All ask is for you to follow
me. 2
I trudged on; she came behind me;
neither spoke. | sent up fervent
prayer that Harry would not meet us.
did not care to be the butt of the
club. We had covered a good two
miles when / heard a crash. and /
looked back to see the angel stretched
out full length. went to her rescue
stifay she waved my hand away and
promptly fell back with groan. A
pretty situation How on earth was
i to get her back to her people? Once
i should have thought the whole thing
romantic. Now longed to shake her.
Are you much hurt? TX demanded
none too sympathetically. / fear.
1T is my foot. { she. said, and began
to cry
II shall have to carry you, then: !
dislike to have to annoy you, but it is
that or leave you here alone.
Leave me here and go for help.
THAT is out Of the question. | can
not leave you here ID these woods.
There is q logging camp over here
somewhere and there may be drunken
~