The Press., 1892-08-18

as he went up town the bright entrance of the little hotel met his eye and he stepped out on the platform and stepped off on the corner.
 Mrs. Miller was in, so the waiter told him, and she tripped into the parlor in dress of mauve silk that became her nightly. Her hair was black, her eyes were brown. She was no longer young, but she was by no means old. She was in very high spirits, and they flirted- yes, firted, despite the fact that Pen dexter was a maniedsman-as they had ten years ago in California. They had supper together in the restaurant, and after supper an idea occurred to Pendex- ter.
 "You want to see the new comic op- era, Mrs. Miller?' said he. Don't say no. Get your wraps and come along. We're couple of old Californians, and must not set up for ceremonies. You don't need chaperon now, do your
 II should say not, decidedly" said Mrs. Miller. "And I'll accept your in- vitation."
 Shant be home until very late. Obliged to meet a man on business. Provoking deten- tion. H.P.
 "A man about to be mother-in-lawed is entitled to little fun beforehand. They feed condemned men we'll before they hang them," said Pendexter to himself.
 It was very charming opera, no other than "Erminie." And after the opera there was promenade concert on f6o 0f tI,o ,r1a nf ade for Mrs. Miller, bottle of beer for himself. And they walked arm in arm back through the moonlit streets of beautiful, wide awake New York. And he was very serious as he left her at the door of the hotel.
 ''It won't do to go there again" he said. But, Lord, what fool l made of myself ten years ago!'
 He went home sadly and slowly. His Camilla opened the door for him in her dressing gown, with China candlestick in her hand, in which futtered an end of pink candle. She had been weeping and her nose was red. How girlish and immature she was, he thought.
 "You are very, very late,' she said.
 "Didn't I say would beY' he asked. He stalked up stairs. She did not follow. After some minutes he looked over the banister. Camilla sat upon the lower stair weeping, the wick of the candle faring in little pool of grease in the candlestick.
 Whats the natter" he asked.
 "You never kissed me when you came in," sobbed Camilla. Its the-the-the f<, &< l<,
 "Come up and be kissed" said Pen- dexter. Camilla slowly climbed the stairs. Caresses were exchanged.
 "Her Henny Penny did not mean not to kiss his Cammy,'' thus Camilla.
 "Cammy doesn't know what business bothers are," said MT. Pendexter. ''Henny Penny is tired and worried with them; his Cammy must not be cross"
 ''No, no; but Cammy wants to share all Henny Penny's troubles" said Mrs. Pendexter. "Tell her all about it.'
 Just then the street doorbell rang violently-not once, but sixteen times. "Oh, dear, dear; l believe it's dear mar' cried Camilla.
 Pendexter glanced at the picture over the chimney piece.
 "Just like her." he muttered as he went down stairs to open the door. A telegraph boy was just about to ring again. Pendexter snatched the envel- ope he offered and signed as bidden, then rushed up stairs to peruse the mis- sive. His Cammy was rushing about the room wringing her hands.
 "A telegramv' she cried. Something has happened to mar'
 MT. Pendexter assumed a serious as- pect.
 "Be calm, Cammy," he said. eff it is the will of Providence that something has happened to her you mustn't rebel and all that, you know. Be calm.
 ''I can't until know what it is!''
 MT. Pendexter opened the envelope and read the message he had sent to his wife from the hotel
 "Bother!" he said. "Oh, it's nothing, Cammy; only 8 message 1 sent you when I knew l should be detained. That wretched boy should have brought it at o'clock"
 ''Oh, Henny Penny" cried Cammy, chow relieved amp Then she sudden ly threw herself into his arms. Gam my did not know her Henny Penny had sent her word," she said.
 '<Oh, that's why you were frightened?'' said Henny Penny.
 "Yes," sighed Cammy, ''oh, so fright enedl And that man you had to see gave you all the bother?
 "Yes, of course" said Pendexter; "yes, certainly"
 What was his naughty name?" asked Cammy.
 "His name?" queried the guilty Pen- dexter. Oh, his name was-er-Miller. "
 'sCammy hates him for bothering her Henny Penny" said Mrs. Pendexter Then she turned the gas out and slept the sleep of innocence.
 MT. Pendexter's conscience, however, kept him awake some little while. He tossed about uneasily and sighed several times. He was thinking of the charm ing Mrs. Miller. He slept late next day. When he awoke sound as of tinkling teacups met his ears. The house was small and the dining room was just be- low his sleeping room. Camilla was taking breakfast. Some one was with her.
 ''Oh, my prophetic soul, my mother in-law!" he gasped. Getting softly out of bed, he approached the register and listened.
 Do have another biscuit, ma," he heard Camilla say. .-..---
 "No, really, dear," responded another female voice. "That husband of yours sleeps this morning."
 ''He was out quite late last night, said Cammy, ''and awfully bothered"
 "What aboutY asked the mother-in- law.
 ''Oh, business said Cammy. Moth ing but business could keep him from me. Some dreadful man named Miller bothered him--I don't know how. He wasn't like himself when he got home; oh, not 8 bit! And the telegram he sent came after that, and was terrified
 "You are too nervous, my child, said