The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-09-02

Cept Miss CorbIhs' Invitation tU dinner
eff do, what good will it do for either
you or me? l shall not so much as see
you"
"Only come" she said. "You will see
me, promise you"
An hour or so later Miss Corhins re-
ceived the Vicomte de Resal's formal &C
ccptance of her invitation.
Before going to dinner the next day Max
mado all his preparations for leaving
Hartford on the midnight train. When he
reached the house, the faxen haired Nova
Scotian let him in and conducted him
through large folding doors to the lair of
the monster"
Apparently tho room was empty, and
Max thought he was too early. Just then,
through II half glazed door, he caught
sight of soft putfs of tobacco smoke and
heard the tones of masculine voices.
Corbins received him with the warm
cordiality of an American, introduced him
to the minister and then said:
Il ought to have been in there to re-
ceiVe you, but my daughter was ut all
events You know her, think?'
Miss Corbins is not in the drawing
room, said Max.
SIS she not2 Oh, then there is some
more bother or other in the kitchen. All,
sir, dinners come into the world ready
made in France. But hereI Itwas just by
the nearest shave my daughter hadn't to
cook it again tonight herself"
Again." said Max, bewildcred and
conscious that he stood on the edge of an
sbyss.
"Oh, ycsr' said Corbins. "For the past
week she has been covered up i'll an apron,
cooking-for n house full of people too.
1t seems to aStonish you, sir, but wait IL
bit longer before you think you under
stand us. But here is my daughter.
Come" she said; dinner is ready"
She held out her hand to him as if no
ceremony of introduction were required
between them and, taking his arm, led
him into the dining room.
Courage" she whispered to him, her
face radiant with amusement Haven't
l kept my promisc?"
Yes, said poor Max, "you have and
to such purpose that don't know how to
look you or Mr.. Corbins in the face
Max never knew how he got through
the dinner and he thanked God when
Corbins and the minister adjourned to the
garden to smoke. Miss Corbins thought
it too cool for her in her evening dress,
but begged Max not to think of staying
with her in the drawing room if he want
ed to smoke too.
He looked at her u moment, then said:
"No, thank you. don't care for a ciga-
rette tonight
Il am afraid" she said, "you are going
to leave us on bad terms"
"What do l care if l am the laughing
stock of all American" he answered. Il
only mind being fool in your eyes. II
just for half an hour or even for n mo-
mcnt was idiot enough to take you for
tho
'if it hurts you SO much. But all tho
sumo, I'm proud of your mistake"
All" he said, making fun of mo
again as you did then, little rs | supposed
it,
ooh, don't want to hurt your feel
ings!" said Dorothy. You'll forget all
about me You will soon be on your way
to Saratoga or the Catskills, according to
the addresses on your introductions. You
have some left, SUPPOSE
II have" he said, now in n white rage.
"Hcrc they are. And, taking them out
of his pocket, he tore them to bits and
threw them on the carpet at her feet, She
watched him quietly, but when she spoke
her voice was a little altered.
Il can give you better Ones" she said,
then stopped suddenly. There was moth
ing cruel about her, and she saw tears in
his eyes. he turned away from her and,
standing at the window, looked up at tho
deep blue vault above.-Providence Tele-
gram.