Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1894-07-19
AN APPOINTMENT.

A man in bachelor chambers an open
letter in his hand, an amused expression
on his face, with a suspicion of gratified
vanity and vague hint Of indulgent con-
tempt.
This was the Letters
"Probably you have forgotten me.
was but ono among the many you danced
with at the S. ball week ago. I know
that you did not hear my name. To me
that dance was an event-an era. OF
course am transgressing the ordinary
rules of society in writing this but have
feeling that you ought to know 1t.
would like to speak to you once more.
Then perhaps you would not think too
hard of what I havo done. shall be at
Regents circus, at tho northeast corner,
the day after tomorrow, at o'clock. l
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 tho half dozen strangers to whom
he had been introduced at the S. ball like
ly to commit herself, but failed.
Then he hastily wrote reply, for it was
growing late, and he had more than one
engagement that evening:
II am deeply interested. Certainly I
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 buttonholc of mignonette."
AS he folded the letter 1t occurred to
him that he might be the subject of q
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.
n \
A girl, sitting in morning room, just
A hours later-a very pretty girl, young
and innocent looking, too, but ono OF
whom might be predicted divergence from
beaten tracks.
Tho result of the first serious divergence
lay before her in the shape of the young
mans letter addressed to Miss M, and she
was regarding it with somewhat rueful
countcnance.
That she had made preparations to carry
out her part of the programme was appar-
cnt from the perfect bloom of La Franco
languishing in a specimen glass beside tho
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-.
tercd-tall, fair, aristocratic. Tho first
was fair also, but her hair was irreprcssi-
bic and fell over her forehead and round
her ears in uncrimped waves and curls;
that of the newcomer was drawn tightly
back and twisted into smooth knot be-
hind, on we'll shaped head.
"Oh, Edytha, 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 All hour. must 60 down Oxford
street to do some shopping Can't you
Gomez"
Kittie hesitated. Her letter was in her
pocket.
"No, Dr. she said slowly, "not this
afternoon. IL have toothache. don't
think shall go out"
for you? wish you would come, though,
Kittie. 1 have to get bonnet.
"a bonnet2 Where are you going
Nine. Teresa'sp"
''No; Favart's, I think. 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.
"Oh, Dytha, why don't you go to Nine.
Mathilde'sp like her style SO much bet
ter. At any rate, you might try And,
now think Of 1t, will como but must
call at Mrs. Bonds first. Papa told me
not to forget I will meet you outside
Mmc Mathilde's ut 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 aftcrward
| to bid a 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. l am just going to put it in
your dress. You want just touch of col
or"
-Four o'clock and Edytha Vansittart
stood outside Nine Mathilde's looking fol
Kittie, the pink rose still in her pale blue
gown, nestling among tho black lace al
| her throat, and no Kittie came.
Some one else came, half stopping, star
| ed moment, passed and came back-0
strikingly handsome man, we'll dressed
| with modest buttonhole of mignonette
/ T. I, koln nd
difficult to reconcile tho letter from Miss
| NJ. with the aristocratic, naughty figure In
| the doorway Of Nine. Mathildo'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 It was strange she had
not seen him, or, at any rate, his button
hole.
II am glad, he said softly, that yor
have not disappointed me- havc lived in
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 amistake, +" she said
coldly.
He drew step backward There was
no mistaking the tone. He still kept his
hat In his hand.
~ beg your pardon. How can that bel
Did you not mention the hour, the place.
II say again you make mistake. II
you persist, must call for assistance.
Il am waiting for q friend"
What did 1t all meant Involuntarily