The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-17

ioOkluk vcIy WSii.
"Idid not expect to see you so soon,"
was the reply. "Men ere usually SO be-
hind hand, you know. And then they
have so many engagements. You are a
man of many engagements, are you not,
Mr.. Copley?"
81 suppose so; yes of COURSE said
Copley uneasily. The doorbell rang
again, and he heard the voice of Miss
Tillingbast.
ASK Mr.. copley to please hurry" she
said.
Copley shiversd. There was a menace
in the voice.
"Isuppose you are all ready?' begas
Miss Ganesvoort.
"Er-excuse me just moment. have
--er-forgotten a-er-something. III
Just run upstairs. Wait here for me-"
Copley went out OF the room, giving
Miss Ganesvoort an agoniz ing smile.
He rushed to the door. He saw the five
carriages drawn up in the most imposing
manner. In one OF them, near the win
dow, was the figure OF girl.
"Good evening, Mr.. Copley," she said
Here i am, you see. Jump in. Weir
rather late, you know" 1t was Mis-
Tillinghast.
Then he added, in an idiotic way: "There
seems to be good many people goinr
from our house. This is not a railwa
station or cab Office. ] wonder what /.
going on"
"This is an attractive place, / dare say
Mr.. Copley," said Miss Tilling hast
But don't stand shivering there on the
steps. Come in here"
Copley declined the invitation. IL
had forgotten a handkerchief. Woulc
Miss Tillinghast excuse him?
He was just about to dive back into the
house, when he heard a voice from the
last carriage in the line:
"Oh, Mr.. Copley."
1t was number five calling to him. He
did not know who she was. He didn't
care. He vaguely wondered where num-
Der six was. He said, "In just moment"
and slammed the door behind him.
He dashed through the hall and lodged
the library door, where the neglected
Brooktield girls were. He thought he
heard suppressed giggle, but he kept on
up the stairs, two steps at time. He
got back into his room somehow, and
threw himself down in chair.
Copley swore under his breath at his
shoe-strings, which had delayed his dress
ng. He mentally denounced Kittie
Ganesvoort for not coming on time, so
that he might have escaped with her and
eft the rest of his tormentors 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 coming down the road. 1t was
number six. He groaned again.
All Of his plans had gone wrong. He
had hoped to get taway with Kittie Canes
goort, and then il the rest OF the girls
ook him seriously and came down, hs
would be safe. But Kittie Ganesvoori
lad ruined everything by being late.
Then he had gone out TO see Miss Til
nghast and get away with her, but l.
ound another girl had STAYED out, and
e had tried to get away there was H.
moving what a row number five woulc
ave made.
He thought of backing down and ask
Nc all of them toge her in the drawing
DOM and frankly say he had made mis-
axe. He could also say that he had no
dea they took him seriously; it was only
joke.
And all this time number six was COM
.ng. Who could it be? Ah, yes; little
8essie Van Rensselaer,. He wondered
whether she took it seriously. He even
wondered whether she was in the plot al
Ill. Then he had a sudden idea. The
carriage was yet well up the road.
Up he jumped, rushed down the back
tairs to the side-door. He was Just open
ng it when he heard a sweet voice: ooh.
tlr. Copley! Where are you going?" !.
was one of the Brookfield girls.
"Er-how do you doY' he said. Hi
face flaming. Back in a moment. Going
lut to the greenhouse for boutonniere'
In an instant he was out. He dodgeL
lround the house, aid rushed down the
iriveway, leaving the long line of car
iages in the rear. He reached the gate
ust at the same time Bessie Van Rens-
elaer's carriage did.
at is late," he painted, breathlessly.
Saw you coming. Thought / might save
you driving way up to the house."
"Oh, yes. Thanks so much, Mr.. Cop
ey. Sogood Of you"
Not at ALL" muttered Copley, as he
stepped into the carriage.
why, what are all those carriages?"
asked Bessie Van Rensselaer,, seeing the
line in front of the house. Some of them
were moving, and two girls were stand
sng on the steps.
"Oh, nothing" stammered Copley.
"It's a funeral. Our cooks funeral--not
her own funeral, you know, but her little
baby's funeral, don't you understand"
And as they were driving to the dance
carriage drove past rapidly, containing
Miss Tillinghast.
"Why, 1 wonder where she is goingf'
said Copley, of his guard"
"Why, for the man she invited, of
course" said Bessie Van Rensselaer,, in
nocently. Four other carriages came out
of Copley's yard.
81 wonder il they are going for their
men, too" muttered Copley.
"Why, yes; Of course they are, now"
replied Bessie Van Rensselaer,, meaningly