The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-08
BX MURIEL HINE.


IL was evidently a but rarely used pas
sage which some ingenious household
mind had converted into a dress-cup-
board.
The mediate result of my explorations
was a fearful rustling sound which
must. felt sure. have penetrated into
the adjoining room.
Evidently some of the garments were
swathed in fold upon fold of tissue-paDer,
which made the slightest movement most
preearious.
persevered, however, with outstretch-
ed, suspicious fingers, when suddenly my
feet stumbled, there was a resounding
clatter, and something fell with sharp
rap across my toes.
L held my breath in an agony of sus-
pense. "Whatever's that?" said the visl-
tor. l pictured her start of surprise and
the others half-frightened amusement
Only someone in my bedroom said
Miss Papillon coouy; she raised her
voice little: "a clumsy servant, I should
think, she added-obviously for my pc
culiar benefit
l stopped down with cropping fingers
and discovered pair Of riding boots IN
long. heavy trees had been the cause of
the accident
= Stepping over them cautiously. I was
just going to turn the handle of the
further door. when, TO my disgust 1
heard a sound of voices, and from the
conversation in the bedroom beyond [
gathered that the maid had chosen thar
afternoon for overhauling her young
lady wardrobe, assisted by another fe-
male, whom I judged, from the sounds
or admiration-a5 drawer after drawer
was opened and the contents disclosed
to be an appreciatiye housemaid
There was nothing for it but TO wait
patiently for Miss Daisy Derfng to de-
TCrsT
meantime that Mrs Papillon would not
return
My cigarette was nearly exhausted.
out with delight L remembered the box
OF 'Boguslavski s. 1 had stolen away.
and helping myself thankfully to anoth-
er' L lighted it, and, somewhat in awe
OF my inftammabIe surroundings, crushed
out the fag end under my heel
Even this small consolation. however.
was to be denied me, for, as 1 sat on
the cupboard floor and leaned up against
the door, through the iIl-itting frame
OF which little shafts of light that made
the darkness within all the more oppres-
sIve, l heard the maid sniff audibIy.
My! What smell of smoker she
said Il wonder where it's coming
from?"
It's that Grid back-smoke," said the
housemaid. promptly; comes down the
bedroom chimneys, it do, and the SHUTS
it makes is orfui.'
The mere possibility of discovery by
the servants in my present position, seat
ed on the floor among the boot-trees and
Lerd knows what else besides. shrouded
IN feminine garments and tissue paper
was too appalling to risk, so, reluctantly,
ext1ngU1Shed another of Charlie Arm
strong's excellent cigarettes.
How long I sat there 1 could not tell,
but finally movement in the boudoir
sent me crawling gtngeriy to the end of
the passage.
Must you go?" I heard Mss Papiuon
say. The speech itself was charming. but
somehow the voice did not correspond.
Nothing, I told myself would have de-
tanned me after those cold. passive tones,
but Miss Daisy Dering either could not
or would not take the mint.
We'll, just five minutes more. then"
she assented, gai1y.
1 heard her settle down again in the
creaking armchair by the pleasant win
dow. and my heart sank within me-
What do you think a little bird told
me?' She raised her naturally snriIl
voice to overcome the noise of the car
riages rolling in the square below. and
every word reached me distinctly in the
cupboard 1 could picture to myself the
suppressed eagerness on her plain. vim
dictive face. Only yesterday 1 heard
runors of an approaching enga cement
She paused, tentatively, and from a
barrel organ of conservative tastes out.
side came the worn out Strains of After
the Ball"
''RealIy?'' said Miss Papillong careless
ly-or was it caution that prompted her
reply?
There was a little rustic of silk, and
guessed Miss Dering was leaning for
ward toward her companion, in her most
gushing manner ze.f ,f.f=
fxr RI
Now, dc tell me all about It; and is it
Capt Armstrong, and when is it to be-
There was a pause fraught with sus
pense for me, and then
How ridiculous people are" said
Miss Papillon iciiy. IF you are mean
ing me by your remarks, 1 have not the
slightest intention Of marrying at pres
ent and certainly not Capt. Armstrong"
1 caught a little sigh from Daisy Der
ing, whether of disappointment or relief
l did not stop to consider, for curiosity
her besetting sin-frad got the upper
hand again
Then there was someone eise?" she
insisted slyly. 1 heard her rise from
the low chair, and still there was a 81
lence- 81 used to think you cared for
that good-looking ne er-do-weH. Max
Cary; but since he has been so atten-
tive TO rich Miss Van Brown't-she broke
off hurriedly-''which reminds me, I
quite forgot the party there really
must be off; so goOd-by, dear Ella So
sweet of you to ask your dear mother
if l may come with her on the 13th-un
lucky day, by-the-by. You are to be
bridesmaid, aren't you? Nina says the
dresses are too lovely. Paquia, [ believe
and the hats straight from Virot-''
1 heard her babbIing on as she rustIed
across the room, and her little shaft of
malice was waited i'll from the corridor.
cir
kind will be Kathleen Van Brown
Only as the door closed behind her did
the full awkwardness Of my position
dawn upon me.
To have been the recipient, however in
voluntary, OF Miss Daisy Behring'S pri-
| vate condolences to her friend, including
an tnSinuation which connected my
name with that of Miss PapiIlon's, was.
to say the least of il, disconcerting, and
checked my natural desire to emerge
from my hiding place, stiff and ruffied
and meet that lady's inevitable deep
displeasure- And every moment the
| danger Of her mothers return waxed
greater. Besides, which. in all probable
ity, she judged me by now miles away
! safely escaped through the adjoining
bedroom, and this theory was almost
Immediately supported by the sudden ap-
! pearance of Miss PapilIon herself
Involuntarily L stepped back: she gave
little cry Of surprise, and, as she stood
| there hesitating, the wind, pouring in
from the open windows of the boudoir,
| blew the door violently to behind her.
YOU! was all she said, but her voice
expressed worlds Of Indignation; You
have been here all the time"-a note OF
contempt came into it-'1isteningr'
sudden anger seized me in the dark
! ness
considering that your maid has been
| in your room for the last half hour and