Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-02-17
NUMBER THIRTEEN.

When Nine. Verne's granddaughter
Hortense was betrothed to NJ. Moran,
It became necessary to celebrate the
occasion by little family supper.
But when Nine, VerOe had counted
them all, she found, to her horror, that
they numbered thlrIeen. She be-
thought her to invite NJ. Roden, the
cure, who had chrlstened little HOr,
tense
80 NJ. Roden was Invited, and all
went well until two days before the
supDi, when an unimportant young
cousin bethought him to break a limb,
and reduce the party again to thir-
teen
The time was short but madame
made the best Of 1t. She invited the
music teacher, who accepted with de-
lght. Matters were arranged once
more when message came to Uncle
Pierre which demanded his presence
elsewhere.
Again there were thirteen guests,
md but half day remaining. Nine.
Verne was equal to the emergency.
She sent note to II deaf gentleman
of her acquaintance, begging him to
'ome. And now all was well again
The ladies' were adding the finishing
ouches to their tollettes In the dress
ng room, when suddenly screams were
leard to rcsound through the house,
The maiden aunt, Mile. Roaine, had
,aught her dress ON fire. 1t was eX-
tingulshed before she was hurt; but
The dress was spoiled, her nerves up
set, and she could not and would not
remain to the supper.
Nine. Verne was In despair Sud.
ienly she remembered her notary. A
'arriage was at the door. She tossed
IN hood and shawl and hurried In
to It.
II was only five minutes ride to
The building In which the notary's
office was located-a many stored edi-
Ice, OF which he occupied the second
iOor
On the first were situated the apart.
nents OF NJ. Moran-Hortense's be.
rothed husband. Az she hun ried past
heir door Nine. Verne glanced toward
hem and saw lady dressed In black
speaking to servant, who. mt the
same instant, shut the door In her
ace.
Nine. Verne, having mounted the
stairs, was doomed to a dlsappolnt-
nent. The notary was In, but he was
'ufferlng from an attack Of the govt
However he could give her the dircc-
Ion, to quOrtohzieme, who, " he was
iisengnged would be- happy to hire
himself out for supper time.
AS she reached the foot of the stairs.
however, she paused. woman.
iressed In black, snt upon the lower
Dne, rocking herself to and fro and
moaning. She touched the figure upon
# shoulder and said: my poor child.
what IL the matterT
II have come from the country; |
nm an orphan; | have no relatives; !
anne to find friend who promised me
everything; | know no one here.
Yesterday | snrnt my last sou. Is
here anything far me but the rlverG
Suddenly an Idea flashed upon tho
nadame's mind.
AT least yOL shall earn your sup.
Der" she snid. Come with me-"
She hurried the girl into the carriage
md drove away with her, explaining
~ they rode the emergency In which
the found herself.
You will wear dress of my grand
iaughter's, she said. "A black lace
which may DE thrown over your own.
ANA with these words she led the
girl INTO her nome upstairs into her
wn apartment, where she adorned her
haste ana led her out TO the table
The l0viiest guest there-lovlier far .
wen than the golden haired H0rtensc.
Absorbed In her duties as hostess.
Madame Verne ala not notice. as the
others did, strange thing that took
place ns NJ. Moran seated himself and
danced toward the strange guest. AS
helr eyes met ehcn turned hchdly phle'
lnd each seemed to ma II Impossible
o look away.
Once only ala the strange girl speak
II whisper TO MIN. Verne.
This II betrothhI f"ast' madameF
yes, my child
your granddaughter the beautiful
S0ung lady yonder, IL to marry Nj.
octave moran
precisely; III Two months
AFTER TINS she said morning more
AZ last they were ABOUT 10 leave the
able, ana the Ola grandfather arose
he hhd something 10 say 10 the young
'0uple hdnohltIohs 10 MIN VINO
vas abolt 10 hke her INTO MS keep