Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-03
MR. VAN TWILLER'S ALIBI

| f1ue SHOW nau Deen railing for severa
minutes in little eddying gusts, and al
ready an appreciable number of flake:
were collecting on the cape of Miss Dor.
othy Dempsey's storm coat as she turned
into Fifty-fourth street at a swinging
pace. On her head, framed by a soft
halo of brown hair in which the drops
of moisture glistened here and there. a
dark English walking hat had slipped
coquettishly to one side. Her cheeks
We're brilliant from the cutting wind,
and her eyes shone with exhilaration as
she battled against the storm.
To insignificant BERTHE Carey, advanc-
ing from the opposite direction, she
appeared like a delightful vision; de-
light considerably Influenced, of course
by the fact that she belonged to the right
''set" of visions, or BERTHE, being so little
a man, would not have looked second
time. Indeed, it is doubtful whether
anything short. of Miss Dorothy's geneal-
ogy on the maternal side would have
induced him to give up his daily game
of dominoes at the club and wheel about
to join her promenade with such urbane
oblivion to the GOODNESS of his reception.
And it is not likely that at any other
time Miss Dempsey would have resented
his intrusion quite so hotly; but, unfor-
tunately for him, her memory still
retained with vigor graphic description
detailed to her only the previous evening
by her Cousin Jack, during which, excit-
ed to unusual emphasis by Careys last
faux pas, he had gone so far as to declare
him "a consummate ass, not fit for
decent society" Dorothy, having agreed
with him in spirit if not to the letter,
felt that she was justified in taking
strong measures on this occasion
To walk down the avenue in his COM
pany, at an hour when all her dear
-Four Hundreds friends would be
abroad and glancing curiously from
their brougham windows or over their
shoulders, was reflection upon her
taste and discrimination which she was
not ready to endure. Accordingly, be-
fore the preliminary greetings were
fairly over, she was racking her brain for
some way of dismissing him. In vain
she meditated dozen clever feminine
maneuvers that, under any other cir
cumstances or in any other locality,
would have been practicable. 1t was
Carey himself who finally provided her
with the means of escape.
"Awfully jolly, this unexpected pleas
ure of a stroll with you," he murmured,
ignoring the gait that was rapidly reduc-
ing him to breathlessness.
"Yes, indeed" returned Dorothy, with
false serenity; 'only it can't be a very
long one, as | intend making a call in
this block" This with unblushing ef-
frontery, although well aware that she
could walk ON to the North river with
out finding name on her list.
"A mutual friend?" inquired Carey.
Il think not"
This must be the house. then. since
1t is the last one"
Miss Dempsey gave hasty, surrepti-
tious glance at the window curtains and
evidently found some reinsurance in
their design.
Thanks, yes suppose you will be
at the Greys. Good afternoon"
"Oh, the Greysl" cried Carey, fired to
fresh recollections; haven't you heard?
Then, if may, l will wait and see if
your friend is in; if not, we can con-
tinue our chat"
Now, Miss Dorothy being an indepen-
dent and somewhat peremptory young
lady, and having gone to all the trouble
and risk of this subterfuge, was any
thing but pleased at turn which left her
unwittingly outwitted. But having gone
so far it was necessary to play the farce
out, and, ascending the steps with a
good deal of suppressed indignation. she
pressed the bell The door was promptly
opened by a neat capped maid.
els DR.. Robinson in?" she inquired
glibly, improvising the first name that
came to her.
Il believe SO, ma'am; will you walk
imp
For an instant Dorothy wavered in
total dismay This was contingency
for which she found herself completely
unprepared. Then, as her glance roved
from the waiting Carey below to the
girl, who had stepped Hospitality back,
her resolution was taken; to go in and
explain, on meeting the doctor, that he
was the wrong man, seemed the simplest
and most natural way out of the diff
Guilty, and it would rid her Of Carey
which was the main thing.
The room into which she was ushered
gave her, as first impression, sensa-
ton of cheer End comfort and good
taste. 1t was fitted up as half Office,
half library, and fire on the hearth
shed it's unstable light on two large
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