The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-06-01
The angel Of A CUPBOARD.


S,S
better-no one. Wait a minute; I'll
call her down and see what she says
10 it"
"But," began Mr.. Colmoraud, ter
ritied at this imminent deciding OF his
destiny.
"Ethelw shouted the captain from
the hall. Ethel"
The angel, as we know. was in the
cupboard. so that the captains main
top voice only raised dust in the at
tics.
Curious thing" he said. 81 saw
her skipping about few minutes ago.
taking reef in her top.knot, He
hailed again, not knowing the fash
ions that prevail among angels. Miss
Baines's maid appeared upon the
stairs. where's Miss Ethel?" de-
manded the captain.
And I'm sure SIR" the woman
replied, my steriously, with that con
lunctival use that shows fixed relief
in tho unbroken continuity of all re.
marks-"and I'm sure, air, | don't
know"
well" said the captain. impa-
tiently, "iust ask your mistress If
she'll come down for moment.
please don't trouble Mrs. Baines,"
said the luckless Colmoraud. "Tm
afraid Miss Ethel saw me coming and
perhaps did not wish"
stern chase, eh?" asked the cap.
tain, commiseratingly. "But here's
my wife. Have you seen Ethel,
Lizzie? Here's Colmoraud wanting
to get engaged and EihePs disap.
appeared.
Mrs. Baines shook hands in her
kindliest way.
"It was great presumption on my
part, great indeed, Colmoraud began,
and its quite clear that Miss Ethel
thinks So.
"You mustn't despair" said Miss
Baines. She was sure in her own
mind that Ethel wns purposely hid.
ing that she might escape what could
only be painful interview.
There's plenty of time, chorussed
the captain, as though year or two
of waiting in uncertainty were 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 unfilial hatred for
this calm disposition Of her affairs.
Mrs. Bainos tried TO soothe the
young mans disappointment. 'Tm
sure Ethel is not disposed TO view
you with any dislike" she said kind.
ly. "Oniy, Of course, it is n pity she
should be oat when you called"
Thank you-yes, said Colmoraud,
miseyably. "It's very kind of you.
/ was sure / had no chance. Per.
haps later on--iu a year"
"To be sure, >" said Mrs. Baines.
The good-byes were being said, and
still the angel kept silence in the cup
board. She wished passionately that
she had never washed her ambrosial
hair, or that she had never thought Of
drying it before the library fire, OF
that at least she had put on her new
dressing gown. II only Reg (which
was a corruption Of Mr. Colmornuds
Christian name) could understand
could be prevented from going off TO
India tomorrow. Not 10 SEQ him
for year was an idea too awful TO
contemplate; besides, there were
other girls in India whom he would
meet And still she never moved.
Then mouse succeeded where
love, the lion, had failed. Uusus-
pectingly n came from its hole aud
ran over Miss Baines's left ankle.
Ia that moment she gave a shrek Of
terror, straightcned her limbs and lay
rigid among the maps.
Rats" said Captain Baines at the
hall door, "in my cupboard.
Ethel" thought Mr. COlmoraud,
"in dangerw And he dashed back
into the library. Mrs Baines. fol-
lowing slowly with the captain, came
upon him already lifting from the
cupboard the tense.eyed figure Of an
angel in a dressing gown with hair
flowing. He held her ia his arms un-
til the eyes reasserted themselves.
"Ohw cried Miss Baines, called
back by his ardent gaze.
81 love you" said Mr. Colmoraud,
fervently, regardless Of the presence
Of Captain aud Mrs Baines.
Leave me, she said. family.
"But do you love mef" he asked.
"Yes-no-yes but III never speak
b you again unless You go straight
into the drawing room"
Mr. Colmorau1, IN an agony Of
doubt which made him very slow aud
stupid in the angels eyes, complied
with her request. and when he bad
waited several eternities, she came
into the room.
4 little later on you might have
heard him ask why she mad hid from
MIN, and almost let him go of without
knowing.
Because my hair was not tidy"
said Miss Baines.
Bat il was perfect. a. j. is now"
he said. 1T seemed as II / were
entertaining an angel.
Angels" said Miss Baines. die.
tat0rially, "dD not like 20 be enter
tafueI uuaWarea The King