Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-23

"My mistress cousin is here; but she does not
leave the inValid's rooms for anything Just at
present"
Then will write my message in note"
He stated the case as clearly as he could on
paper, and dispatched the servant with it. In
answer the lady sent her maid to inquire If
search had been made everywhere in the vestry-
room for q surplice. He sent back that further
search was useless
After some moments Otto him-terrible sus-
pelse-fOr the time was almost come for him to
appear in the chapel-the maid returned. and.
with deep bushes and nervous twitching of
her apron-hem began
my Young lady told me to tel you, sir. that II
you would not think it any harm. she would send
you her. Oh, no, / don't mean that sir.
she said l was not to say who it belonged to-
but she would cut the bands off the sleeves and
the lace from the neck. and it would be long
and nobody would notice that it was a night
gown sir; and, If you don't mind, sir would
go ana fetch it at once, for there is no time to
lose"
The girls concluding words were only too
true; and however much he might have hest
tated at her suggestion in cooler moments he
was thankful now for any solution Of the diff
Guilty.
Tell your mistress that shall be very CRATE
full for the loan she proposes If she thinks the
deception will not be discovered"
The servant vanished, and was soon on the
spot again with snowy linen nght-gown. The
neck at the back had been torn down to admit
broader shoulders and a linen handkerchief
had been hastily stitched in to hide the rent
Most of the ornamentation had been cut away:
but enough remained to prove that the garment
belonged to lady of very dainty tastes.
thankful for this scmblance of a surpce, and
TOO hurried to feel amusement, Mr.. Byron ar
rayed himself, entered the chancel, and the ser
vice began at once. He observed with sigh Of
thankfulness that the chapel was very dark: and
this enabled him to read without much nervous
ness Two gentlemen came forward with the
baby and its nurse. and for brief time during
the service the young clergyman saw indstnctly
the slender figure OF lady standing in the
dimly-lighted aisle. Before the end of ceremony
her feelings seemed to overcome her, for she
LETT the church sitting what might have been a
sob. but which sounded strangely like laugh.
What Mr.. Byron feared would be trying or
deal was soon over, and he re-entered the vestry
room with much lighter heart than when he
lett it. While disrobing, a name In indelible ink
on the gown attracted his attention. Perhaps
he should have respected his fair benefactress'
wish to remain unknown; but the temptation
was too strong. He turned to the light and read
the name-"Miriam Douglas"-under the tucks
and embroidery Of the robe which he had just
discarded.
Was it coincidence. or had kind fate led
him to the shrine of his idol? The uncertainty
was not to be borne.
'Will you ask Miss Douglas II she can grant
me five minutes interview before go?' he said
to the girl who came in great trepdation. for
the novel surplice.
In a cosy little reception room Julius Byron
was presently received by her who had been
the companion of his happiest dreams during
more than three years. The blushng bashful-
ness had vanished. leaving in its stead q grace
full wOmanly dignity. She was a sweeter, fairer
Miriam even then of old, ''diyiney tall and
most divinely fair"
"Oh. Mr.. Byron, how Mortified YOU must be-
You signed initials only to your note; and
little suspected to whom | was Offering that
garment. | rpcOUDlZpl ri,
and in spite of the sOlemnity of the OCCASION
had to laugh. 1t was such an uncommonly bad
fit"
'It was great boon to me- and shall be
everlastinSly grateful to you for coming to the
rescue"
A sudden Indifference as to the hours of de-
parting trains seemed to take possession OF Mr.
Byron, and he found himself with certain
amount Of equanimity accepting an invitation to
spend the night at the Hall.
At the conclusion of her visit to her cousin
Mrs. NARROW, Miriam betook herself to the house
of friend. who extended many informal invita-
lions to Mr.. Byron as well.
One soft fragrant evening" among the June
roses. julius Byron told his love story; and
Miriam listened with look in her eyes which
told her lover that he spoke not in vain.
81 How provoked you, in your turn. must have
been at finding my surpliCe instead of the fancy
gown" said Mr.. Byron to his friend Willis, when
they again met.
Il was in rage at first, I admit" answered
Mr.. Howard. But affairs turned out not so
bad after all. Iput on the surplice to see how
it became me, When one of the maids, catching
glimpse Of me through the window set up
scream declaring that she had seen ghost
his brought a lot of visitors out of their rooms
among whom. to my surprise was Edith Fulton
my Edith you know. We had quarreled and
parted, never TO meet again; but the ridiculous
feature of this scene seemed the ice between US,
and. Well. Byron, have blessed the memo
ry Of your surplice ever snce!'
That contretemps OF the satchels was lucky
thing for US BOTH
Piper and 1ipson and their humbugs for
ever" exclaimed young Howard