The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-09
Her Little Dinner.

And he really owes all this money!"
said Mrs. Castlethorpe.
Yes, ma'am," said Mr.. Audrey, her
legal adviser. I'm afraid he does"
Then" said Mrs. Casuethorpe, mes
a downright liar"
Very likely. ma'am." said Mr.. Audrey.
dryly. Young men have misraoresented
facts before now land will again. 1 an
afraid
But he told me that the asst $500 would
settle all his debts, and here is washer
woman's bill, a tailor's account, a boot
makers little memorandum, and $50 Dor
rowed Of Higgins, the jeweler, on set OF
ruby shirt studs; TO say nothing OF those
other bills" and Mrs CasE'etnorpe nodded
her head toward pile OF slips OF paper
that lay under an ivory weight at her LETT
hand. why, it's perfectly disgra cefui:
He has deceived me. He has perjured
himself, out and out.'
Mr.. Audrey looked wooden and imper-
turba blei"
But I won't stand e." cried the old
lady, growing more and more excited. III
teach him a lessoni'
You will cut off supplies, ma am :! sald
Mr.. Audrey. interrogatively.
MOO, nor said Mrs. Castlethorpe.
I'LL let him have the $500 promised him.
I'm a person of my word, whatever he is.
But, Audrey. 1 haven't told you about the
worst debt of all!''-
Indeed, ma am!'
His landlady's daughter-a poor, little,
blue-eyed thing. with her head hanging
down, and the prettiest yellow hair 1 ever
saw-came here yesterday. He owes her
a hearth
Borrowed, ma'am?" said Lawer An
drew with twinkle of his dark eyes.
''Well, yes" assented Mrs. Castlethorpe,
grimly. Engaged himself to her while
he boarded there. Dropped her complete
~ when he was able TO remove to more
aristocratic quarters. Broke her poor lit
tie heart. Bien! He shall mend II
again.
do you think it is probable. ma amp
asked Mr.. Audrey, rather obviously.
Il will make it probable" said Mrs
Castlethorpe, resolutely. You're not en-
gagged to dinner for tomorrow evening, are
you, Mr.. Andrey?"
81 believe not
pray, give us the pleasure Of your COM
pan, then" said Mrs. Castlethorpe. AT
6, precisely. To meet my nephew Jerome
and select few Of his friends"
And Mr.. Jerome Mordaunt, lounging
over French novel in the elegant seclu-
sion Of his apartments, was puzzled al
the note he received from his rich aunt;
Dear Jerome: Come to dinner at s TO-
morrow night, and we will have a little
talk over family affairs. The 500 will be
ready. Your affectionate aunt,
CONSOLATION CASTLETHORPE.
1.-THE old lady is coming TO her senses
eh!' said he. 'T'n be there. punctual &c
the minute. dear Aunt COMFY may be
quite sure!" and he was as good as his
word.
''Oh, it is 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 was mar
yelling what this new politeness could por-
tend, old onJes threw open the folding
doors and in marched Lawyer Audrey
followed by Stitchem, the tailor, in his
sundays best; Mrs. Riordan, the washer
woman. in a surprising mobcap; Lastley
the consumptive little bootmaker. Hig-
gins, the jeyeler; Pricken, the cigar mer-
chant 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 a
low, muttered exclamation at first, but
seated himself again. Evidently he was
'in for it, to use popular and most ex-
pressive phrase and the only way was tc
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 propose the health of the
man who pays his debtst"
It was drunk with reclamation. Only
chrome Mordaunt colored and hesitated
Jones'" said the old lady, "please hand
these $500, in small bills, Jones, take par
ticular notice-to Mr.. Mordaunt Gentle
men and ladies' to the guests, pray
present your little accounts; my nephew
is ready to audit them"
One by one the hungry-eyed guests ad-
vanced, presented their little accounts, anC
retired with gratified countenances, unit
not a parsonage was left except Lawyer
Audrey, Mrs. Nuttingdale. and her daugh
ter and the hostess.
Now for the last settlement of all,
said Mrs. Castlethorpe, with an inexor-
able countenance. jerome. believe yol
are under an enga cement to marry thi:
young lady?'
Jerome Mordaunt, face to face witt
poor, pale, trembling little Ruth Nutting
dale, could not deny it.
Jones'" pursued Mrs. Castlethorpe
task the Rev. Mr.. Tyson to walk in
Here is a wedding ring, my own forty
years ago, and I hope none the less lucky
for that. Stand up like man, Jerome
and GU close TO him, my dear. Now, We
are quite ready. Mr.. Tyson, if you please
And almost before Jerome Mordaunt re-
allied what was going on he was married
safe and sound, TO Mrs. Nuttingdale':
blue-eyed daughter, Ruth.
Il congratulate you, my dear" SAID
Aunt Castbethorpe with sounding kiss
Il wish you all JOY as Mrs. Jerome Nor
daunt-and here's a check for 1900 K
begin life with"
Thanks, dearest aunt" smiled the-f
CsofreBocblusqeilza Observation-Disclosures
Thanks, dearest aunt" smiled the
blushing bride.
And as you are square with the world
so far as I know. Jerome" said the old
lady, austerely. 10 her nephew, see tha
you remain so for the future, for you'll
get TO more help from me. And now II
bid you eli good night for It's getting
late. and ! need my after-dinner nap"
And so closed Mrs. Castlethorpe's dinner
inc y -