The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-29
THE ANGEL OF
A CUPBOARD.
How a Young Girl Became an Tn
Intentional EavesdrOpper.


and frilled and tuckered-ip the verieSt
fullness, in fact, of their glory. That is
why it was rash of Miss Ethel Baines to
80 from the place of the washing of
her hair in what was quite an old
dressing gown down to the library. there
TO dry her long treSSeS before The fire.
She might have pleaded that no one
could possibly call at that hour. That
was n certainty or next door to it. So
she sat in comfort before the glow ard
thought the pleasant thoughts of care
less angel. Now and again when the fire
got into her back she would rise for cool
ness sake and look in the mantel glass to
see that il was clear and without flaw.
What she saw in it at least was more
than tawless and something beyond COM
pare, so many people would have
thought, and Miss Banes was not dis
posed to question the fact herself.
But she turned palcr that she generally
liked to look ut hearing sudden knock
Mt the hall door, followed by Captain
Eaines' CHEEKY voice:
"Ah, Colmoraud. Delighted TO see
you. Come into the library and smoke.
We shall have it all to ourselves in
there"
The tread of Captain Baines and his
visitor came toward the library door.
Miss Baines shivered Mr.. Colmoraud-
of all other people. The idea of discov-
cry was too ignominious to be faced.
Miss Baines. gathering the long strands
of her hair in one hand, as though they
were skirt impeding her. looked for
some way 10 escape. Through the door
she could not go unless she wished to
be taken red handed, so to speak. in her
quite old dressing gown. nor could she
fly through the windows. Behind the
curtains temporary shelter might be
found, but how unsafe! Suppose her IA
Their drew them to get 4 breath of ozone,
as he called it, or Mr.. Colmoraud STUN
bled against them and lighted. apollo
getic upon her toesi Thare remained
emily the cupboard-tigtt tittins-n muSty,
ubosainah bic place. hat srfdoia visited. 1t
WAS net TIE haven where she weufd be.
Yet, Siaee time pressed, aliss Baiaos.
/ sffiyering AID decided, slipped in among
the chaos Of maps and dusty tsMes ST.
lently, HE a cat And the door of the
| library opened.
"You wanted to see me% Captain
Baines was saying cheerfully.
Yes" said Mr. Col.moraud. who seem
ed unusually hrsitant. "On very seri-
GUS HdIleT-ul w ihc. 1Vu
I'm off to India tomorrow unless
Cant do better than India" said the
captain. Nothing like the climate if
you don't take too many pegs. Splendid
place, Polo. plenty of shooting-nUt too
much work. you know. remember
when | was in those parts | used to tell
old Jigbury-yau heard me speak Of
old Jigs:'
Yes" said Mr.. Coimo"auG mHckly.
well, as was saying" went ON the
captain. old Ji=s Was in India then. too
Madras way. Stuffy down there. OK
cept in cold weather. You're not going
| to Madras. eh:"
$40, to the northwest provinces. The
climate is not SO bad there. is il. even for
ladies'" Mr.. Colmoraud put the question
with eaGerue$s.
Topping climate" said the captain
innocently. Nothing ladies like better.
Why, old .Iigs used to say that his first
| wife-and he had 4 good many; regular
old sea deg. JigS: wife in every port,
married once a month. don't You know;
said he'd never been 10 church without
hearing his banns called-his first wife
simply wouldn't come away. Tiger
shooting all day. Sporting woman. she
was. Buried ont there. believe"
But she liked the climatr?" said Mr..
Colmoraud. uncertain what moral to at
tach to this story.
"Wouldnt have hccn buried there if
she hadn't" said the captain logically.
Il suppose not" said Mr.. Colmoraud
obviously. But it was about getting
married that | was going to ask your
opinion. or. rather ahout-about'
Miss Baiaes, in the cupboard. forgot for
Il moment that she WAS hcing asphySiat-
ed, and began 10 take an interest in the
conversation.
Come. now" said the captain jovially
Miss Ethel pictured to herself his limo
cent lecr), you're not thinking of it your
self. Ell? One Of the Hemant girls, Miss
Ruby. ch?"
Under other circumstances" said Mr..
Colmornud. growing bold. II should be
grateful for the recommendation. But
the fact is. came round 10 ask you, as
I'm off to India. if you would mind. you
| and Mrs. Bnines. If LII asked Ethel
| to go with me rs my wife"
Ethel repeated the captain. f1ahber-
gasted. .'You don't mean Ethel? Never
thought OF it. Ethel. now-She's Il good
| sirl-I'll say that hut expect she's too
fond of her dad to leave hiln."
I'm afraid So" said Mr.. Colmoraud
sadly. But would you mind if ! ask
ed"
'Certaiay not" said the captain heart
NY. There's nc one I'll like hctter-no
one. Wait n minute: III call her down
and see what she says to it,"
Put" began Mr.. Co!naraud. terrified
at this imminent deciding Of his destiny.
Ethel" shouted the captain from the
| hall Ethel"
The angel. us we know. was in the
cupboard. so that the captains maintop
voice only raised dust in the attic.
Curious thing" he said. II saw her
Skipping about 4 few minutes ago. taking
| A reef in her topknor-" He hailed again.
not kaeWiAg tho fasAiops taat prevan
aRiazg -,agcis. Miss Baines' maid sp-
peartl apen the stairs, Where's Mis-
Ethel =: demanded the Captain
@Apd I'm sure. sir" the wsipan replied
| mystc.iGnsiy, with that cnnjunctfvaI dse
that shows fixed belief IN the unbroken
continuity of ali remarks-"and I'm sure,
sir, / don't know"
"Well," said the captain impatiently.
lust ask your mistress IL she'll come
down for moment"
"Please don't trouble Mrs. Baines."
said the luckicss Colmoraud. I'm afraid
Miss Ethel saw ME coming and perhaps
did not wish
Stern chase, eh?" asked the captain
commsdratinGly. But here's my wife.
Have you seen Ethel, Lizzie? Here's
Colmoraud wanting to get engaged, and
Ethels disappeared"
Mrs. Baincs shook hands in her kind
liest way.
ut was great presumption on my part
great indeed" Colmoraud began, "and
it's quite clear that Miss Ethel thinks
So"
"You mustn't despair" said Mrs
Baines. She was sure in her own mind
that Ethel was purposely hiding that
she might escape what could only be Il
painful interview.
"There's plenty Of time" chorused the
captain, as though a year or two of wait
ing in uncertainty We're n mere bagatelle
to young man in love. "You must look
us up again when you come back
The angel in the cupboard hated her
father with an untilial hatred for this
ralm disposition of her affairs.
Mrs. Raines tried to soothe the Young
mans disappointment. I'm sure Ethel
is not disposed 10 view you with any dis
like" she said kindly. "Only, Of course,
it is pity she should he out when you
called"
"Thank you-ycs," said Colmoraud
miserably. It's very kind of sou. l
was sure had no chance. Perhaps later
oH-in Il year
ITO lie sure" said Mrs. Baincs.
The Goodbys were being said, and still
the angel kept silence in the cupboard
She wished passionately that she had
never washed her ambrosial hair. or that