Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-13
AN APPOINTMENT

letter in his hand, an Smused expression
on his face with suspicion of gratified
vanity and vague hint of indulgent con-
tempt.
This was the letter:
"Probably you have forgotten me. 1
was but one among the many you danced
with at the S. ball week ago. know
that you did not hear my name. To me
that dance was an event-an era. OF
course l am transgressing the ordinary
rules of society in writing this, but 1 have
a feeling that you ought to know it.
would like to speak to you once more.
Then perhaps you would not think too
hard of what 1 have done. shall be at
Regents circus, at the northeast corner,
the day after tomorrow, at 4 o'clock.
shall wear pink rose at my throat.
Certainly this was very advanced. There
was some excuse for the smile of gratified
vanity and half contemptuous indulgence
on the young mans handsome face. He
tried for few moments to recall any one
among the half dozen strangers to whom
he had been introduced at the S. ball like
" to commit herself but failed
Then he hastily wrote reply, for it was
growing late, and he had more than one
engagement that evening;
81 am deeply interested. Certainly
will be at the place you mention and at
the hour. 1t seems that you know me and
require no mark of recognition, but shall
wear buttOnhole of mignonette.
As he folded the letter it occurred TO
him that he might be the subject of a
hoax, but the half timid words had the
ring of truth, and he dismissed the idea.
He addressed the envelope, as directed to,
a circulating library where letters were
received.
A girl, sitting in morning room, just
A hours lator-a very pretty girl, young
and innocent looking, too, but one of
whom might be predicted divergence from
beaten tracks
The result of the first serious divergence
lay before her in the shape of the young
mans letter addressed to Miss NJ, and she
was regarding it with somewhat rueful
countenance.
That she had made preparations to carry
out her part of the programme was appar-
ent from the perfect bloom Of La France
languishing in specimen glass beside the
letter. The room was in house in M
square, and there was still an hour and
half before her presence would be required
at the particular corner in Regent street.
She had no cause to fear any difficulty in
keeping her appointment.
The door opened, and a second girl en-
tered-tall,S fair, aristocratic. The first
was fair alsd but her hair was irrepressi-
BILE and fell liver her forehead and round
her ears in Npcrimped waves and curls;
that of the 4 wcomer was drawn tightly
back and twisted into smooth knot be-
hind, on q well shaped fSsad.
"Oh, Eaytha, you darling, how sweet of
you to come this afternoon''
The gray gowned girl jumped up and
threw her arms around her friends neck.
She was impulsive in all her actions
II haven't long to stay, Kittie-just
half an hour. must go down Oxford
street to do some shopping. Can't you
comeP'
Kittie hesitated. Her letter was in her
pocket.
mo, Dr." she said slowly, mot this
afternoon. II have a toothache. 1 don't
think shall go out"
Poor little grill Can do anything
for you? wish you would come, though,
Kittie. have to get bonnet"
"a bennett Where are you going
Nine. Teresa's?"
"No; Favart's, think. I saw one in
her window that rather liked"
A sudden inspiration came into Kittie's
pretty head. She leaned forward. The
sparkle came back to her gray eyes, the
curves to the corners of her mouth.
ooh, Dytha, why don't you go to Nine.
Mathilde's2 like her style SO much bet
ter. At any rate you might try. And,
now think of it, will come, but 1 must
call at Mrs. Bonds first. Papa told me
not to forget will meet you outside
Nine. Mathilde's at o'clock"
''Oh, will your That's darling Kittie
Then needn't have Jane, and We'll go to
Fuller's for tea"
When Edith arose five minutes afterward
to bid q temporary farewell to Kittie, the
latter took the La France from her glass.
"What an exquisite rose, Kittiel Who
gave it to your"
mo one lam just going to put 1t in
your dress. You want just touch Of col
or"
Four O'Clock and Edytha Vansittart
stood outside Nine. Mathilde's looking for
Kittie, the pink rose still in her pale blue
gown, nesting among the black lace at
her throat, and no Kittie came.
Some one else came, half stopping star
ed moment, passed and came back-a
strikingly handsome man, well dressed,
with modest buttonhole Of mignonette.
He hesitated and paused, because it was
difficult to reconcile the letter from Miss
M. with the aristocratic, naughty figure in
the doorway of Nine. Mathilde's bonnet
shop. He came back, because the Incl
dents were too complete for mistake. They
were there, time, place, flower and the lady
herself, evidently looking for some one.
He lifted his hat. 1t was strange she had
not seen him, or, at any rate, his button
hole.
'I am glad" he said softly, "that you
have not disappointed me. have lived in
a state of expectancy since received your
note"
The young lady in the doorway brought
back her eyes from their voyage in search
of renegade Kittie and stared at him in
dignantly.
II think you make a mistake, " she said
coldly
He drew step backward. There was
no installing the tone. He still kept his
hat in his hand
II beg your pardon. How can that beS
Did you not mention the hour, the place.
II say again you make mistake. If
you persist 1 must call for assistance.
Il am waiting for a friend"
Id 4