The Washington critic., 1886-10-30

sure, WITHOUT WalUng 1Or u puDllC uuC-
,ion. Such rare accomplishments
should be better appreciated.
That's fact, Mabel. l have half
mind to be your rival aud try my
luck at winning this extraordinary
maiden. She would be such valua.
bic addition to my cabinet of curiosi.
ties. But l forgot; we are allies, and
that Is better than being rivals. BY the
way, are. you going to the Orr's this
EVENING"
why, yes; I was just beginning to
dress when you came In. Now, SIR
striking an attitude, "begone from my
presence How dare you intrude
upon lady when she Is surrounded
by the mysteries of her toilet" point.
ing Electrically to her combs, brushes
and hair pins. what visions of
enamel and rouge, detached curls and
black.lcad eyebrows, will float before
your mind when you see pretty
woman! In behalf of my sex, must
forbid your presence here"
81 don't think your sex need have
any fears from you" said Walter.
glancing with brotherly pride at the
artless face and pretty figure. "But
look your prettiest for tonight; | am
going to bring to you Max Wilbur, my
dear old Eaton chum, and | want you
to set your cap for him"
Much obliged, but l never set my
cap. | leave that to the Annie Laurie
class. If ] am ever so unfortunate as
to get married, IL will not be by pop.
ping the question, either directly or
indirectly"
Mrs. Orrs parlors were crowded
with guests, but Mabel Lee seemed
scarcely conscious of their presence
One alone claimed her attention, and
| though she tried to seem indifferent,
Walter, watching at a distance, was
| pleased to see that Max Wilbur had
made an impression.
That was the beginning of an &C.
| quaintance which, aided by Walters
genuine love for his sister and his
friend, grew rapidly into warm
| friendship.
Three weeks from the date of her
| first letter to Annie Laurie, Mabel had
tired of the correspondence. Beside,
she dreaded lest Max should find 1t out
| He seemed so high.mindcd, she feared
he could never stoop to enjoy practi.
cal joke. She had written about half
a dozen of the silly missives. in one of
which she had made formal offer of
marriage.
II am going to write just one more"
she said to Walter, ''aud that will be to
end this nonsense. 1t has not afforded
me half the fun | expected"
"The sugar is at the bottom"
laughed Walter. "But | think myself
that 1t is time we were tasting it. She
has appointed a place to meet you, has
she not?'
"Yes. Room number twenty,
Bracken House. But shall decline to
meet her."
"Not bit of it. Disguise yourself
as an old lady. ] will go with you aud
remain outside the room door, ready
for an emergency. No one will ever
know it"
After much persuasion, Mable re.
| luctantly yielded; and half an hour Ia
ter, Walter bore triumphantly to the
| postoillce letter in which "Robin
| Adair" stated that he would call upon
"Annie Laurie at the appointed
place, on the following evening at
eight o'clock
Robin Adair certainly cut queer
figure when ready for the interview.
| A figure that would have scandalized
his mythical namesake. An immense
poke bonnet, pair Of green goggles
and broad. white ruille representing
cap border, disguised the pretty girl
ish face. A short, scant dress, a pair
of cotton gloves, a green cloak and
heavy shoes completed the costume,
while a huge, blue umbrella and a
reticule suggested the name of "Jeru.
sha Perkins as more appropriate
than any other.
Walter was in high spirits as they
walked along the street. lie compli-
mented Mabel on her disguise, at the
same time giving hints for the coming
interview.
BY the time she reached the hotel
Mabel's courage was dwindling rapidly.
But she said nothing as she walked up
the head stairway to number twenty.
| Walter whispered a few words of re-
assurance as he stepped aside, and with
a trembling hand she knocked at the
door.
A brisk, high. keyed voice an.
swered,-
| Come inN'
Mabel entered and glanced hastily at
the occupant of the room. Instead of
the prim damsel she expected to see,
| quite an old looking lady, whose dress
was almost the exact counterpart OF
Mabels own, arose TO meet her. Even
the umbrella was not wanting, and as
the figure was remarkably tall, and
came forward with this formidable
weapon, Mabel was inclined to beat q
hasty retreat.
The nice little speech she had pre-.
pared fled from her memory. She
stood silent and motionless; but the
same curiously pitched voice in
"Can do anything for you,
madam p
II came to see Miss Annie Laurie"
stammered Mabel.
"You came to see Annie Laurie p
There was an accent of surprise In
the voice now that changed its intona-
tion, and the thought dawned on poor
Mabel's mind that she was standing
face to face with man
Any doubts she might have had
were quickly dispelled, for in her sud.
den terror and confusion she dropped
her umbrella and her odd looking
companion, stepping forward, picked
~ Wy anu presented ~ w hci WIN Po'
lite bow, saying
Il think there is some mistake,
madam. Permit me to conduct you
where you wish to go"
"lle is a gentleman, at least, y
thought Mabel, land his voice-oh,
Can it be possible ?" And the little old
lady gazed as though fascinated up
into the big old lady's face.
For two seconds they stood staring
at each other through their respective
green goggles, aud then poor Mabel,
overwhelmed with shame and con