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

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VV 0U"0 w ~ and frilled and
tuckered, in the veriest fulness in
fact-of their glory. That is why it
was rash of Miss Ethel Baines to go
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 a certainty, or next door TO 1t. So
she sat in comfort before the glow, and
thought the pleasant thoughts of a
careless angel. Now and again, when
the fire got into her back, she would
rise for GOODNESS sake, and look in the
mantleglass TO see that II was clear
aud without flaw What she saw in
it, at least, was more than hawless,
and something beyond compare, 40
many people would have thought, and
Miss Baines was not disposed to ques-
tion the fact herself.
But she turned paler than she gen
orally liked to look at hearing a sud
den knock at the hall door, followed
by Captain Baines's CHEEKY voice:
"Ah, Colmoraudl delighted to see
you-come into the library aud smoke.
We shall have it all to ourselves in
there"
The tread of Captain Baines aud his
visitor came toward the library door.
Miss Baines shivered. Mr.. Colmoraud
of all other people! The idea Of dis
covery was too ignominious TO he
faced. Miss Baines, gathering the
long strands Of her hair in one hand,
as though they were "A skirt impeding
her, looked for some way TO 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
father drew them 10 get "A breath OF
ozone, as he called it, or Mr.. Colmor-
aud stumbled against them, and
lighted apologetic upon her toes!
There remained only the cupboard
tight tiittlng-a musty, abomlnable
place, but seldom visited. II was not
the haven where she would be. yet,
since time pressed, Miss Baines, shiv.
ering and decided, slipped IN among
the chaos OF maps aud dusty tones a..
lently, like cat. AID the door Of the
library opened.
"You wanted TO sec me?" Captain
Baines was saying, cheeriully.
yes" sal Mr.. Colmoraud. who
seemed unusually hesltated, ION a
very serious matter--at least 20 me.
You see, I'm off TO India tomorrow,
unless"
Cant do better than India, said
the captain. Nothing like the eli
mate, if you don't drink imprudently.
Splendid place Polo, plenty Of shoot
ing-not too much work, you know. /
remember when / was in those parts
/ used TO tell old Jigbury-you've
heard me speak Of old JiRs?'.
"Yes, said Mr. Colmoraud, meek.
ly.
well, as ! was saying" went on
the captain, "old Jigs was in India
then, too-Madras way. StuGy down
there, except in cold weather You're
not going 20 Madras, eh?"
No, to the northwest provinces
The climate is not 30 bad there. is II,
even for ladies2" Mr.. Colmoraud put
the question with eagerness.
Topping climate said the cap
tain. innocentIy. Nothing ladies' like
better Why, old Jigs used 10 say
that his fist vlfe-and he had a good
many, regular old sea-dog Jigs. said
he'd never been 20 church without
hearing his banns called-his first
wife simply wouldn't come away.
Tiger shooting all day. Sporting
woman, she was. Buried out there,
/ believe
"But she liked the climate?" said
Mr. Colmoraud, uncertain what moral
10 attach 20 this story.
Wouldn't have been buried there II
she hadn't" said the captain, logi.
cally.
II suppose no, said Mr. Coimor-
aud, dubiously. "Bn, u was about
getting married that ! vas going 20
ask your opinion, or rather about
abDut-'
Miss Baines. In the cupboard forgot
for moment that ahe was being
asphyKiatei. aud began % take an
interest In the cOuyersation.
Come now, 7a.d tho captain,
jovially Miss Ethel pictured - her.
self bis innocent lee.l, you're not
thinking of % yourself eA> One Of
the Hcnant girl. Iils Ruby, ehf'
Under other Circumstances, said
Mr. ColmDraud. growing bold. q
should be gIatl f1i for the recon.
men Ddation. B1t thc fac, j., I came
round 20 ask you, as I'm OF 10 India,
II you wolld mind. YOU aud Mrs.
Baiues, II LII I askei Ethel % go
Will me az my wife.
Ethel" repeated The captain, Dab
bergasted. "You iOn't mean EthelF
Never though. Of o.. Ethel, now
sho's a good girl III say that. but j
expect shes too fond Of her dad TO
leave him"
I'm afraid 50, said Mr. Colmor.
aud. sadly. "But would you mind If
askcd?"
Certainly ao.. sail The captain.