Arizona republican., 1891-11-24
MIR. VAN TWlLLER'S ALIBI

The snow had been falling for several minutes in little eddying gusts, and al ready an appreciable number of flakes were collecting on the cape of Miss Dor othy Dempsey's storm coat as she turned into Fifty-fourth street at swinging pace. On her head, framed by soft halo of brown hair in which the drops of moisture glisteued here and there, a dark English walking hat had slipped coquettishly to one side, Her cheeks were brilliant from the cutting wind and her eyes shone with exhilaration as she battled against the storm
 To insignificant Bertie 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 Bertie, being so little a man. would not have looked a second time Indeed, it is doubtful whether anything short of Miss Dorothy's geneal- ogy on the maternal side would have induced him to glve up his daily game of dominoes at the club and wheel about to join her promenade with such urbane oblivion to the coolness 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 Carey's 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 Hundred friends would be abroad and glancing curiously from their brougham windows or over their shoulders, was a 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 disnissing 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 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 cant be very long one, as l intend making a call in this block" This with unblushing ef- frontery. although we'll aware that she could walk on to the North river with out finding a 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 nasty, 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, 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 good deal of suppressed indignation, she pressed the bell. The door was promptly opened by a neat capped maid
 "Is Dr. Robinson in:" she inquired gibly, improvising the first name that came to her
 "I believe so ma am: will you walk in?'
 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 hospitably 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 culty, 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- tion of cheer and comfort and good taste. It was fitted mp as half office, half library, and fire on the hearth shed its unstable light on two large chairs, drawn up in a suggestively con fidential manner within tho seductive radiance. Dorothy had made mental comment of all this before becoming aware that one of these inviting chairs had an occupant, who had slowly risen and was now facing her with an open curiosity which he did not take the trouble to conceal He was tall, broad shouldered, athletic young man, with fine blond head, and did not in the least resemble the family physician of Doro- thy's infantile ailments.
 "l have been expecting you" he re- marked calmly; wont you be seatedY"
 But l called to see Dr Robinson,' explained Dorothy. fully expcctic. hi,n