husband was killed not long ago, and she is a stranger here, as
she just came from America several years —” She would have
lengthened considerably the list of woes had not Stoger broken in
so harshly, “Shall I have peace or no?” that she at the moment
found' it most convenient to withdraw.
Stoger was filled with vexation and dismay, but the thought
that he did had been ill-used soon caused him to recover. Ill
humoredly he reached for his coat and hat in order to make his
entry somewhat earlier than usual into the Casino.
Scarcely had he crossed the threshhold when he heard some
one whispering in the hall below. Here was a new disturbance.
Stealthily leaning over the railing he discerned, by the dim and
flickering light of the hall lamp, two figures earnestly engaged in
conversation.
“How often, Otto, have I told you not to await my return? ”
said a girl’s voice, poutingly.
“ But, Miss Rose, ” answered the other, whom Stoger with no
little surprise discovered by a sudden flaring of the lamp to be a
young draughtsman in his employ, eagerly endeavoring to hold
the hand of a young lady dressed in cap and cloak.
“ But, Miss Rose, how can I help it when I work close by the
window and can see you go and come ?’’
“ Shall be changed, shall be .changed,” Stoger thought to him
self.
‘ ‘ Neither shall you call for me before church, ’ ’ continued the
first voice.
“ But Rose, dear, you cannot go alone.”
“Why not? Pray, have I not traveled the way alone until—
the—the—”
‘ ‘ The time it rained so heavily and you made me the happiest
of mortals by accepting my umbrella.”
“If it hadn’t been for my new hat— ”
“ Please don’t mention the hat. O, Rose, dear little Rose, look
at me just this once.”
A short pause ensued and the two heads neared one another in
a very suspicious manner. Stoger moved involuntarily; the heads
separated.
“ For goodness sake, Otto! I must go! If some one should
come —
“ Rose, won’t you promise me?”
“ Not yet—not yet,” she said firmly; “not until sister receives
The Free Lance.
[December,