St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-27
THE FORTUNES OF A NIGHT.


me snairs pace. The ball would surely
have begun, and Emily's card would be
full. and nv wretchedness complete. 10
think of Whirling to delicious music with
her in my arms. of the opportunities Tor
confidential little talks in the intervals OF
the dance-and then. after coming so far
and undergoing such troubles, to have the
fulfllment of these dreams shattered! l
knocked on the window to the driver. and
a moment afterward thrust my head out
and promised him good big fee if he
would only hurry. At last we turned into
side street and stopped My friend, Jack
Hinton, ran down the steps to meet me.
Il thought you'd given up coming alto
gether. Where have You been all this
time?"
But l had no time then for explanations
/ hurriedly grabbed my handbag, showed
some money into the drivers hand, and we
few I'D the steps together into my friends
room. AsI ran through my pockets for
the key 10 my valiSe. l told him OF the mis-
fortune which had detained ME; and how
my whole future happiness depended OH
the outcome of this night; l could not live
without her-that knew.
''What in heavens name have you here?'
broke in Jack. who had opened my bag
had put my pants into the valise. but wore
my dress coat to save it from Wrinkling.
glanced into the bag. and saw, to my be-
wilderment, instead of my trousers pow
der box corset, and a mass of other ar
ticleS of feminine wearing apparel.
'.Ha! ha! ha.' roared Jack, and he lay
back in his easy chair and laughed till the
tears ran down his cheeks-I could have
choked him-'ha! ha! ha!-this is rich"
''Therer' I cried. as 1 turned the thing
upside down and then threw it with all my
might into the corner; lie there and rot!
I'm in a fine fix Can't go to the ball in
these light pants and heavy shoes Emily
is looking for me even now. probably
But how did this happen?" asked Jack,
still shaking with laughter; Il don't under
stand it,
Understand! understand" l roared, as
Walked up and down the room, nearly
wild with anger and Impotence. Il under
stand it perfectly. At the last station,
when it was getting pretty dark-for some
reason the lamps weren't lighted at ala
lady got on board and sat down just in
front of me where had put my bag. when
an acquaintance came and took the seat
beside me. | didn't notice that she had
valise, too, but l suppose she had, and l
must have snatched it in my hurry. But,
for the love of Moses, Jack. what shall l
do? Where car l get pair of black pants?
If wait another minute Emily won't have
dance left, and I'll have to drag that old
fat aunt of hers arOundF'
Don't fret yourself any more, my dear
boy" said Jack, reassuringly, Il can prob
ably fit you out ali right"
While he was out l examined the con-
tents OF the handbag more cl0sely-coS-
metlcs. powder. a couple of switches of
false hair. a pair of e0rsets, some padding,
old gloves and stockings.
''Bah.' said l to myself: sis there man
in the world fool enough to let himself he
taken in by such means? l am only 81,
but know that -
Jack came running in with a pair of
pants over his arm and interrupted my rev.
erie. They fitted me capitally-a little
narrow, but perfectly satisfactory. l took
haSty glance at the glass.
And twenty minutes later we entered the
bali room together.
Jack" said in a low voice, as we went
in. this night will do for me. l feel it.
There is an evil fate following meal this
trouble is in vain. Three dances are over
and Emily is lost to me forever"
MY dear Harry" he returned; ''you
know I've often told you that Emily is too
old for you, and
Go to the devil.' 1 cried. ''Do you
want to drive me mad?"
VERY well; if you will not hear, go your
way. There comes ner younger brother,
and you can find out from him where the
divine Emily is"
l turned towards the direction indicated.
and what was my delight when l heard
from her brother that she had been un-
avOidably detained. and was expected every
moment. l watched the door INCREASINGLY,
and when she herself led by her brother,
came up to me my happiness was complete.
| forgot the troublesome journey, the hand
bag. my disappointment and all.
An hour passed in a whirl of delightful
enjoyment We danced. we talked: the
bustling crowd was nothing to me; only
looked into her eyes and saw there my
paradise. Emily had never been so friendly
toward me. Arm in arm we prOmenaded
between Dances and her rosy lips whiS-
pered the sweetest words into my ear. We
finally sat down in a somewhat retired spot
Emily made some excuses for looking so
pale. Good heavensl l had not noticed it
before, but she did look changed a little
what had happened to her?
My dear friend" she whispered in reply
to my anxious inquiries, lit was nothing of
Importance, and yet something that almost
dance tonight"
My blood grew cold and my heart stopped
beating at the thoughts of such a POSSIBLE
ity.
But how was that possible? Surely not
sickness. Your cheeks are strikingly white
tonight"
1T was nothing at all in reality. | had
just been away several days on visit to an
old nurse. and tonight, in the cars, as
was returning home l changed valiSeS
with some one. What is there frightful
about that?" she asked, as [ looked at her
in establishment and terror.
IN othng-Or-all-" l stammered. and
looked about the room in hopes the ceiling
would fall and bury me, exchanged your
-eXchanged-that is too good-he. he! he!
That is really too funny. Pardon me-" 1
Stammered: l knew not whether I was
standing on my feet or on my head Paint. !
powder, false hair! Mother of Mosesl l |
turned quickly towards her; by heaven |
she did not wear those chestnut brown |
locks from which l had clipped tiny tress,
so fOndly cherished and so often kissed. !
All. no! had the rest at home on the
tablet
Il don't understand you,'' whispered
Emily at last as she cast tender, reproach-
full glances upon me.
You cannot know" [ replied, in confu-
sion, looking, l am sure. as red as boiled
lobster, "how l regret your misfortune.
You may, perhaps find the unhappy per-
sonage who"
cat all events a man," she said quickly,
''fOr found in the very top" She stopped
suddenly and bit her lip.
You opened the vaise?"
TO be sure. through mistake, of course;