The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21
Her Little Dinner


And he really owes all this money!" said
Mrs. Castlethorpe.
yes, ma'am,'' said Audrey, her legal ad-
wiser. I'm afraid he does'
Then said Mr.. Castlethorpe, hes a
downright liar
Very likely, ma am" said Mr.. Audrey
dryly. Young men have misrepresented facts
before now, and will again, 1 am afraid"
But he told me that the last $500 would
settle all his debts, and here is a washer
woman's bill, taior's account, a bootmak-
ers little memorandum, and $50 borrowed of
Higgins, the jeWeler, on a set of ruby shirt
studs; to say nothing of those other bills, .
ward pile of slips of paper that lay under
an ivory weight at her left hand. why, it's
perfectly disgraceful! He has deceived me-!
He has perjured himself out and out!"
Mr.. Audrey looked wooden and imperturb-
able.
But won't stand it, cried the old lady,
gre wing more and more excited. I'll teach
him lesson''
You will cut off supplies, maam?" said
Mr.. Audrey, interrogatively.
MOO, no!' said Mrs Castlethrope. I'll
let him have the $500 1 promised him. I'm
a person of my word, whatever he is. But,
Audrey, haven't told you about the worst
debt of ahE'
His landlady's daughter-a poor little
blue-eyedG thing, with her head hanging
down, and the prettiest yellow hair ever
saw-came here yesterday. He owes her a
hearth
Borrowed, ma'am?" said Lawyer Audrey,
with a twinkle in his dark eyes
well, yes assented Mrs. Castlethorpe
grin1ly. Engaged himself to her while he
boarded there. Dropped her completely
when he able to remove to more aristo-
era tic quarters. Broke her poor little heart.
Bien! He shall mend it again.!
do you think it probable, ma'am?" asked
Mr.. Audrey, rather obviously
81 will make it probable!' said Mrs. Castle
thorpe resolutely You're not engaged to
dinner for tomorrow evening, are you, Mr..
Ar drey?"
81 believe not
pray, give us the pleasure of your COM
pany. Them said Castethorpe. cat pre-
cisely. To meet my nephew Jerome and a
select few of his friends"
And Mr.. Jerome Mordaunt, lounging over
a French novel in the elegant seclusion of
his apartments, was puzzled at the note he
received from his rich aunt:
Dear Jerome-Come to dinner at o'clock
tomorrow night, and we will have a little
talk over family affairs. The $500 will be
ready. Your affectionate aunt
CONSOLATION CASTLETHORPE."
"The old lady is coming to her senses, Ell?
said he. I'll be there, punctual to the min
ute dear Aunt COMFY may be quite sure."
and he was as good as his word.
ooh. it's you, is it?" said she. Pray walk
in Take that seat at the head of the table.
You are my guest Of honor tonight, Jones, %
to the old butler; "show in my other friends -
And while Jerome Mordaunt marveling
what this new politeness could portend, old
Jones threw open the folding DOORS and in
marched Lawyer Audrey, followed by
Stftchem, the tailor, in his Sunday best; Mrs.
Riordan, the washerwoman, in a surprising
mobcap; Lastley, the consumptive little boot
maker; Higgins, the jeweler; Pricl1en, the
cigar merchant, and Spill, the wine dealer.
While last, but not least, followed Mrs Nut
tingdale the boarding house keeper, and her
pretty, blushing daughter, Ruth.
Jerome sprang from his chair with low
muttered exclamation at first, but seated
himself again. Evidently he was lin for it,
to use a popular and most expressive phrase
and the only way was to make the best of a
bad bargain.
The dinner progressed, and with the grapes
pineappleS and ices came rare wines and
champagne. Mrs. Castlethorpe rose with the
dignity of a hostess of the old school
"a health, ladies and gentlemen" said she.
Fill your glasses, all Are you ready? Then
T propose the health of the man who paws
his debts!
IT was drunk with accamaton ONLY Je-
rome Mordaunt c6lored and hesitated
Jones'" said the old lady; please hand
these $500 in small bills, JONES' take particu-