The National tribune., 1892-11-03

wheels just then, and Corley drew back the
curtains and peered cautiously out Horrors !!
Was il funeral procession
Just turning in at the gate Of the driveway
was carriage. Close behind was q second.
Up the road, following one upon another, were
three more carriages. n
Copley groaned He rushed to his dressing
case. The brandy was all gone He looked'in
the glass and saw that his face was very pale.
Tten he sank down into chair. regardless Of
the fact that he was crumpling the tails of q
hitherto immaculate dress coat
The pitlless thud of the horses hoofs came
ur plainly from below. The sound of the
wheels on the gravel was very evident.
Ding went ring at the bell. pause.
Ding Another pause. Ding. Ding.
Copiey got up and staggered to the door. He
opened it crack. His man was just coming
up the stairs.
Miss Gsnesvoort is in the library, sir" said
the man. with dignity.
"Yes," gasped Copley.
1.-The Misses Brook field arc waiting for you
in the drawinq-room."' The mans face was
still imperturbable.
Miss Tilliughast is waiting outside, and told
me TO ask that you come as quickly as possi.
bie.n
Copley counted them off -Four" he NUT
tered. What am ] TO do?"
There's another of the ladies what waited
outside IN her carriage" said the man" and his
face began TO broaden.
Copley looked at him and laughed.
:" It's most interesting. isn't it? I'm sick
Pm very i'll Go down stairs and tell them all
I've got headache; that j was suddenly taken
with scarlet ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
thing. Quick, do You hear? What are you
grinning at? Go down."
The man started away.
"Where are you going9 No. Come back.
Q go Lf,,l- Wa,t ~
have il. Tell Miss Ganesvo0rt I'll be down in
moment. Say to the Misses Brookfield that
am not quite ready. Tell Miss Tillinghast that
will be out at once"
moment later Copley appeared in the
library.
"Ah, good evening. Miss Ganesvoort." he said.
" 1t was awfuly good of you TO be SO prompt.
How arc you? You are looking very we'll"
!" did not expect to see you so soon" was
the reply. Men are usually 40 behind hand,
you know. And then, they have so many en-
gagements. You are man of many engage
ments, are you not. Mr.. Copley?"
a. suppose so; yes of course" said Copley,
unessily. The doorbel rang again, and he
heard the voice of Miss Tillinghast.
ASK Mr. Copley TO please hurry" she said.
Copley shivered. There was menace in the
voice.
81 suppose you are all ready7" began Miss
Ganesvoort.
"Er-excuse me just moment. ] have
er-forgotten a-er-something. I'll just run
upstairs. Wait here for me-"
Copley went out of the room, giving Miss
Gsnesvoort an sgonizing smile.
He rushed 10 the door. He saw the five car
riages drawn up in the most imposing manner.
In one of them, near the window, was the fig
ure Of girl.
GOOD evening. Mr.. Copley." she said. Here
j am, you see. Jumps We're rather late, You
know" 1t was Miss Tillinghast.
lyon are very well 2" sked Copley. Then he
good many people going from our house. This
is not q railway station or cab Office. won.
der what is going on"
" This is al attractive place, / dare say, Mr.
Copley," said Miss Tillinghsst But don't
stand shivering there on the steps. Come in
here"
Copley declined the Invitation. He had for
gotten handkerchief. Would Miss Tillinghast
excuse him?
He was just about TO dive back into the
house, when he heard voice from the last car
rage in the line:
"0h, Mr.. Copley."
1t was number FIVE calling TO him. He did
not know who she was. he didn't care. He
vaguely wondered where number six was
He said. In just a moment" and slammed
the door behind him.
He dashed through the hall and lodged the
library door, where the neglected Brook field
girls were. He thought he heard suppressed
giggle, but he kept on mp the stairs, two steps
ct time. He got back into his room somehow,
and threw himself down in a chair.
Copley swore under his breath at his shoe.
strings. which had delayed his dressing He
mentally denounced Kittie Ganesvoort for not
coming on time, so that he might have escaped
with her and left the rest Of his tormeptors in
| the lurch, and he cursed himself for fool for
getting into this beastly mess anyhow, and he
| felt that he was i'll in reality.
Then he heard the sound of another carriage
csming down the road. 1t was number six.
| He groaned again.
| All of his plans had gone wrong. He had
hoped TO get away with Kittie Gsnesvoort, and
then if the rest of the girls took him seriously
| and came down. he would be safe But Kittie
Ganesyoort had ruined everything by being
| late.
Then lie had gone out to see Miss Tiiinphast
and get away with her. bnt be found another
| girl had stayed out, and If be had tried to get
away there was no knowing what q row mum.
| Der five would have made
lie thought of backing down and asking all
| q To- Al - ~. R~>A>AR>