The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-02-23

looked SO much more than he said, that
the rest of the day seemed to be bright
ened for her by the mere remembrance
of his voice. ''They will please Mrs.
Berwick" he thought; ''she likes little
attentions and there is no reason on
earth why she shouldn't have them
while the game lasts. expect it's
about slipped from me this afternoon;
but it's as Well to take it calmly. It's a
foolish thing to say, but l believe /
could have borne it better if I'd had a
single kiss to remember. He let him
self in with a iatchkey. Mrs. Berwick
had evidently been waiting for him; she
came to the dining-room door and
beckoned; there were tears in her eyes,
and little cambria handkerchief was
crushed up in her hand. Her agitation
interested him, but he wished that she
used some other perfume than white
rose; it was too strong, and he was
tired of it.
"Oh! Mr. Medway," she said, 'there
is horrible man in the next room.
He says he must be paid before he
leaves the house.
81 may differ from him on that
point" he answered, slowly, ''but
meanwhile don't distress yourself.
Here are some roses. / saw them and
felt that their natural place was under
your care. If you wo uld give me a cup
of tea in the drawing-room should be
very grateful But first I'll speak to
the scoundrel in the library" A little
later he sent for the butler. Rogers" :"
he said, take care of that gentleman
downstairs, and make much of him.
To-day is Wednesday: he will be here
till Friday morning, when the bills will
all be settled. ! am tired of people
clamoring for their money. And,
Rogers" he went on after a pause;
while his eyes flashed with amusement,
81 shall invite all the gentlemen and
their bills here tomorrow night. Have
good supper ready in tn dining
room the best you know how. l shall
take one end of the table, and Mrs. Ber-
wick, have no doubt, will have the
kindness to take the other" Rogers
looked at him for moment puzzled.
''Yes, sir, I'll see to it," he answered
without word of comment The next
morning the majority of Mr.. Medway's
creditors received little letter. 1t
ran thus:
"MY DEAR SIR: Iapologize for having neg
lected you SO long, but my Australian affairs
have taken up all my time. 1t would give me
much pleasure If you would come here to-mor-
row night, at eleven, when wish to do myself
the honor of entertaining you with some other
creditors at 81 pper, and of Immediately after.
wards settling your claims upon me-
Yours truly, G. MIDWAY"
At ten o'clock the next night, Med
way and Mrs. Berwick stood looking
at the supper table. Rogers" he said
.'get four of those folding japanese
screens from the bedrooms-the very
high ones. Open one fiat cross the end
of the table, so. Put small table, not
wider than this, and not more than
two or three feet long, on the other
side. and push it close up. so that but
for the screen it would join on to the
supper table"
Rogers, who prided himself on never
showing any surprise, did as he was
told.
"Now." continued Midway, '1ay my
supper behind the screen. shall want
bottle of champagne-openi it, mind
and my check book, pen, ink and a
| sheet of paper by me. No, you needn't
put any candles; shall not want them
| to guess that am here, and there will
be light enough from the lamp above.
Now place my chair, then the other
three screens close as possible, so that
they make a little square room that
anyone may walk round and yet see
| nothing" He looked at it carefully
when it was complete. ''Quite snug
| little place." he said "Mrs Berwick" /"
he went on. turning to her, 81 am go
ing to ask you to receive these gentle
men when they arrive. Bring them
| down. sit at the head of the table. and
| be as gracious to them as you can. l
shall eat my supper behind those
screens; you can make any excuse you
| wine on the table-a bottle of cham
pagne to each man. When it is pretty
low down." he said, speaking to Mrs.
Berwick again, II want you to say that
there's a pleasant surprise awaiting
them. as well as settlement of all
their claims, and propose that they
should drink my health. Just as they
are putting the glasses to their lips.
Rogers is to pull away the front screen
across the end of the table, and they
will have the pleasure of knowing l
have been with them all the time, and
each man will be able to reflect with
satisfaction on any remarks he has
made"
"Oh, Mr.. Medway," she exclaimed,
clasping her hands over the front oil
her low yellow silk dress, show am l
to entertain these men, and what will
they think of me?"
"My dear lady, you have tact and
charm enough to entertain all the men
in creation, which makes the rest OF
your sex superfuous. If they attempt
to pay you too many compliments you
will be glad to think l am listening tc
them there. Now, / am going for a
little stroll wonder if it would be
taxing your kindness too much if ]
asked you to make another button hole
FIRST; fear this one has lost its fresh.
ness" He pulled out cigar and
carefully smelt it. II shall be back by
ten minutes past eleven, Rogers, and
as soon as I am in my place the guests
can be brought down to supper"
Mrs. Berwick's explanation of Med.
| ways absence was so easy and graceful