Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-17
A DEVASTATED HOUSEHOLD
BY EDWARD NOBLE.

whose seat was nearly opposite to his own
As Tor the young woman herself. having glance,
at Nr. Redmond long enough to reach the con
ciusion that he was gOod-looking and weil-bred
she settled down into the luxurious chair an,
buried herself in a novel. She had periodical
resurrections during which she was family con
sciOus of Mr.. Redmond's eyes upon her. bu
there was naught in her manner to encourage
Irritation. and il Mr.. Redmond had for mo
ment harbOred so ill-bred a thought he mus
have promptly expelled it from his mind. II,
found it extremely pleasant however, to feas
his eyes upon the fine changing color Of hei
cheek, and he noted with delight the intelligen
eyes, the dimpled chin the straight nose and the
soft hair with its simple knot so strikingly
feminine. Had Mr.. Redmond been able t.
read certain memorandum concealed in the
small POcket-book that rested along with
dainty handkerchief on the yong ladys lap hi
interest would have been heightened, and hi,
curiosity piqued- The memorandum. jotted
upon a visiting card read thus: Mo- West
sIth street, second fat, east. Take cab across
the Park"
When the train reached New York Mr.. Red
mond. after parting glance at his pretty
nelghbor. went down town about his business
and the young woman set about carving out
the program laid down in her memorandum
xAcdthAlR ttt number UQlcdleu. she read De-
meath the bell-button of the second fiat, east
''Mr. Edward Brown" With a self gratulatory
nod at sight of the name. she dismissed the
cab and promptly rang the bell. Half minute
later the vestlbule door opened with that silent
and apparently automatic movement which al
ways has a touch of mystery, for those unac-
custOmed to fiat life and the Young woman
confidently assembled the stairs. In the second
floor ball the familiar name again greeted her
eyes and smiling maid promptly answered
the bell
Il am Miss Brown" said the visitor, with the
indulgent smile that We keep for the servants
of our friends.
''Oh. yes, Miss, we wos expectin' YOU" an
swered the maid. throwing wide the door.
Then my brother received my dispatchy'
queried Miss Brown. betraying the usual femi-
nine suspicion of all things mundane that de-
pend for their accomplishment upon the faith
fulness of man.
oh. yes. Miss; last night He said il you'd
only "a let him knowd what train you was
comm on he'd "a met you at the Grand Gen.
trail"
They're all out are they?" Juggling at her
jacket and finally releasing the top button.
Yes. Miss. but you can come right in here
Mr. Brown said this would be your room"
The maid conducted her charge through
narrow passage to a prettily-furnished little
rear room whose window commanded a wilder
ness Of fire-escapes and division fences. Miss
Brown mentally noted the condition of several
rooms opening on the passage and wondered at
the array of boots in one apartment. Even
more astonishing was the varied collection of
pipes in each chamber. She marveled that
Ned's wife could endure the habit of excessive
smoking into which her husband had evidently
fallen. and reelected in a superior virginia. way
that woman who marries never knows what
she will come to.
Thank you, Celia; I'll do very well now"
said Miss Brown to the maid when that delft
young woman had explained the geography of
the room and offered any further aid that
he.r LoIf
added the young lady. '-Tll take a short nap
and perhaps by that time they'll be in
oh. yes; think so; at least some Of them
will. We have dinner just at six"
When Miss Brown awoke half an hour later
she saw from her window that rain was falling
IN torrents. She rapidly made ready for dim
ner. permitting herself stealthy peeps into the
apartments of neighbors, the rear of whose
homes was only stones throw from her point
of observation. She had taken last look into
the mirror when she heard an energetic step
on the stairs and some one whistling light
opera air. Ned seems in good spirits" was
her thought. The dear fellow, how long to
give him a good hug! But why doesn't Jennie
come. / wonderT'
Evidently her brother had not been told of
her arrival, for she could hear him tramping
about the library and he gave no sign of impa-
thence to see her. I'm go out and take him
by surprise" she thought SO tiptoeing from
her room, she peeped into the library where
her eyes fell upon a masculine back. sJennie
is teaching him how to dress. He looks ten
years younger in that bright, natty business
suit" she said to herself with an approving nod
Then she erept softly behind the object Of her
contemplation and quickly pressing her hands
over his eyes, imprinted two soft warm lips on
the embrowned cheek and cried, 'Tell who it
Is and get another"
There was a struggle on the part Of the blind
folded prisoner, but his captor held on all the
tighter till glancing up at mirror that reflected
the whole scene, she was Mortified to learn
that the man whom she had seized and kissed
was not her brother. With little scream she
removed her hands, transferred them to her
own rosy face and stood transfxed. Mr. Geo.
Redmond looked round. flushed and astonished,
TO find himself confronted by his late travelling
companion.
oh. what have / doner' cried the girl from
behind the screen of her fingers.
No great harm. I'm sure" answered Mr.
Redmond with distinct feeling of elation at
the thought of those warm red Inns s.Of
course you're Miss Brown. I'm Mr. Redmond.
suppose YOU took me for your brother We
expected you. but Celia was out when came
IN. so i had not heard Of your arrival. Do
take that easy chair. Your brother viii be in
soon"
'-Oh. no. no." she answered. still unable to
look him in the face, and aghast at the idea of
tete-a-tete with a total stranger whom she
had kissed by stealth only a moment before.
Il ii go back TO my room and wait for Ned
You'll tell him I'm here please And-and-
ofcourse you know / didn't mean to-to-do
it."
Certainly. certainly, Miss Brown. didn't
Tor an Instant suspect you Of ANYTHING So
n@tterlng. answered Redmond, falterin1 for
the right word and hitting upon the wrong one
IL was scarce out Of his mouth when Miss
Brown had fed to her ROOM
Once there she looked into the glass to see
how red her face was. reflected with renewed
bushes upon the awful thing she had DONE and
at last fell to wondering who Mr.. Redmond
could be- She had never heard Of him. vet he
seemed perfectly at home in her brothers
house. and apparently held latch-key She
dismissed as preposterous the momentary
thought OF lodger, and blushed ut the recol-
lection of Jennies matchmaking propensitv
which aroused the suspicion that Mr. Redmond
might be visitor crsftily invited at this par
tlcuiar time for reasons best known to her sis
ter-in-law. She waited impetiently until there
was another step on the stairs. Itsounded like
Neds. Then she heard the stranger in the
library say something to the newcomer and
bIu-hed again TO think what the communication
might be- She was sure they were laughing
ana she felt that IL was i'll bred Of Mr. Redmond
10 conduct himself thus within her hearing
Almost Immediately there were quick steps
from the library followed by gentle tap at her
door and she opened il ready to rush into her
brothers arms. Mr.. Redmond in the library
heard feminine shrek followed bv an apolo-
getle masculine beg pardon" and the intruder
upon Miss Browns privacy returned wearing
an expression of intense astonishment
Great Jupiter, Redmond, that is MT INV
sister"