Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-11-27
THE WAITING JULIET.


Peter the Scholar (who corrects my
proof sheets) calls one of the rusinur-
by sort-the front facing street and
the back looking over turfed garden,
with limetree or two laburnum
and lawn tennis court marked ont
its white lines plain to see in the star
light At the end of the garden. n
door, painted dark green. led into
narrow lane between high walls, where
il two persons met one had TO turn
sideways to let the other pass The
entrance to this lane was cut in two by
wooden post about the height OF your
hip, and just beyond this. in the high
road. George was waiting for us with
the dog-cart.
We had picked the usual time--the
dinner hour 1t had just turned dark
and the church clock, two streets
away. was Ginning the quarter after
eight when Peter and let ourselves
in by the green door | spoke of, and
felt along the wall for the gardeners
ladder that we knew was hanging
there. A simpler job never was. The
bedroom window on the first floor stood
right open TO the night air; and inside
was faint candle-light ilickering just
as "A careless maid will leave them af-
ter her mistress has gone down TO a
dinner To be sure there was a chance
of her coming back to put them out;
but we could hear her voice going in
the servants hall as we lifted the lad
der and rested it against the sill.
She's good for half-a-hour yet
Peer whispered. holding the ladder,
while began to climb; 'but If l hear
her voice stop. I'll give the signal to
be cautious,
went up softly, pushed my head
gently above the level OF the sill, and
looked in.
1t was a roomy place, with a great
half tester bed, hung with curtains,
standing out from the wall on my
right The curtains were OF chintz, a
dark background. with flaming red
peoples sprawling over 1t; and the
further curtain hid the dressing-table,
and the candles upon it and the joTel
case that l confidently hoped to stand
upon it also. A bright Brussels car
pet covered the floor, and the wall
paper. l remember-though, for the
life of ME, / can not tell why-was n
pale gray ground. worked up to imi-
tate watered silk. with sprigs of gilt
honeysuckles upon it
looked round and listened for half
minute. The house was still as
death up here-not a sound in the
room or in the passages beyond. With
a nod to Peter 10 hold the ladder firm
/ lifted one leg over the sill. then the
other, dropped my feet carefully upon
the thick carpet and went quickly
round the bed to the dressing-table.
But at the corner and as soon as
ever | saw round the chintz curta-,
my knees gave way. and | put out a
hand toward the bed-post
Before the dressing table, and in
front OF the big glass in which she
could see my white face was an old
lady seated.
She wore a blaze OF jewels and q
low gown, out OF which rose the scrag-
giest neck and shoulders | have ever
looked on. Her hair was thick with
black dye and fastened with diamond
star. Between the two candles the
powder showed on her check bones
like -four on miller's coat Chin on
hand, she was gazing steadily into the
mirror before her. and, even in my
fright ] had time to note that n glass
OF sherry and a plate of rice and curry
stood at her elbow. among the rouge
pots and powder-puffs.
While / stood stock still and pretty
well scared out OF my wits. she rose
still staring at my image in the giesS
folded her hands modestly over her
bosom, and spoke, in deep. tragical
voice:
The prince"
Then, facing sharply around. she
held out her thin arms.
You have come-at last?n
There was not much TO say TO this
except that l had. So | confessed it,
Even with the candles behind her.
j could see her eyes glowing like a
dogs, and an uglier poor creature this
world could scarcely show.
lis the ladder against the win
dowP"
Since you seem to know" said !
ut is"
"Ah, Romeo! Your cheeks are
rsddy-your peoples are too redr'
Then I'm glad my color's come
back; for. TO tell the truth. you did
give me turn just at first You were
looking out for me, do doubt"
MY prince" She stretched out
her arms again. and. being pretty well
ct my wits end, let her embrace me-
1T has been 50 long" she said; 'oh.
the weary while! And they ill-treat
rue. Where have you been all this
tedious time?"
was going TO answer that you may
be sure BY this, had recovered my
self sufficiently TO guess what was near
the truth-thet this was n mad aunt
OF the family below and that the game
was in my hands II played with do
oant oova Co I mat har otiaction Wit