The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-08
The Sketch.
The SKETCH.
I tapped at the door.
aaCnr,, 4 Z. ..nNnn


Come in" said a clear voice.
1 pushed il open trifie nervouSly-
Miss Ella Papillon was sitting at a
bureau facing the light, in a halo of gold
en- sunshine from without, and as she
turned her head I saw a faint flush of
color rise IL her pale cheeks.
But when she spoke, her expression
was that Of bored surprise
How do YOU do, Mr.. Cary?" she said
81 suppose they have told You that my
mother is out?"-and she offered me
limp white hand
Il came to see your brother" began
apologeticaIly
A little touch of mischief rose in her
oark-gray eyes, as she broke in sweetIy
An You will find Claud in the study"
nave not only found him [ ven
tured to remark, but been peremptor-
lily dismissed. He was miles deep in
.blue-boo,Ss. reports, and long columns of
statistics that made one positively gid
uy merely to look at them, He told me
he was rather busy and that I was 90
Walk down the passage and TAP at the
second door from the end But 1 am
afraid / am interrupting your correspon-
dence2"
She evaded the question neatly
Claud. when busy, is apt 10 be a triEe
brief"
He did not even offer me cIgarette!'
My voice was injured as I leaned back
IN the deep armchair.
50 like Claudr said his sister prompt
". She drew a long red box from a
pigeOnhole in her bureau and, opening
the lid. offered me one of the contents,
then followed my example
There was a subtle consciousness in
her manner which suggested it to be a
new habit
is smoking allowed now?" re-
marked.
The austere Mrs. Papiuon must indeed
De moving with the times, but I could
hardly picture her in the role of the cas-
Ey Overruled mammal
she struck match after two futile
Efforts. and, lighting her own cigarette
offered ne gingerly the burning remains.
Her answer at first sight appeared ir-
relevant.
The windows open" she said demure-
~. and Claud smokes all over the
house"
smiled involuntarily. and. her eyes
meeting mine, she gave a little, sinful
laugh. -
I breathed again. Thank goodness the
Ice was broken at last
suggested. -
Her face went a shade pinker and her
voice grew distant again
Inc Sinclair's parties are always a
success"
And the floor was good" found nv
ser repeating, absentIy, for nv mind was
made. l i''u
took the cigarette from between NV
lips and glanced at the name.
BogusiaYshs s." said nv Communion
promptly. with an admirable struggle
Tor the correct pronunciation.
knew II already, for had 1 not smolz
cd one that very morning as 1 stroIIed
ana was it not the piece of news he had
Ihen ana there confided that had sent
me hylne OIL the same afternoon to call
upon my friends the Papiilons?
FOR when man informs you that he
mas fully made up his mind that the
time has come to marry and settle
down, and when the very girl" for this
merltorlous object whom he already
thinks likes him a bit" proves to be
the lady Of your heart, worries necessa-
rily eusue.
And I instructed deeply those cigar
cites.
Queer name isn't it," I suggested 70
nj the blank, and fearful to pronounce"
capt Armstrong she innocently re-
marked, says one ought to call them
She made a still more successful
shot at the word, but, although I an
pIauoed my neart sank within me, and
Ihen and there l came to the concIu-
sion that, possibly oId-fashioned as the
judgment might. be, it was not well for
girls TO smoke
But my sudden straight-lacedness did
not embrace the fact that it was NOT
well for me to be there alone en- tete-
a-tete with Mrs. PapiIlon's pretty daugh-
ter, although 1 knew to a T that Sc
Gate Iadys theories of behavior and
Bow characteristic strictest etiquette
o-and the art Of chaperonage were to her
. very necessary Of existence
r. felt my companions gray eyes fixed
81 my distract coUntenance, as she gazed
Readily at me from under the curling
Dix lashes, and as though she actually
SRead my thoughts
of course, I oughtn't to be smoking
ana you oughtn't really 10 be here" she
remarked comfortably, in her usual IT,
relevant way; but"
When the cats away the no4ce Will
play. I suggested thoughtiessiy.
Then the whole enormity of calling
the maJecblc Mrs Papillon by such a
name came across me with -oveEwheIul
ing confusion.
l glanced at her daughter apphehen-
siveiy- She was trying to frown, but
the smile broke through triumphantly.
And Claud is far too busy to even re
membvr that I called upon him. |
wound up lam7Iy.
An idea struck her as her eyes wander
ed To the edge OF the long mirror sogn
thickly with invitation cards
Why aren't you at the Van Browns %
she demanded.
excused myself weakly
Too slack after last nights festivi-
Tics" pleaded.
A ditHple came into her cheek and the
gray eyes danced proyokingly.
Poor thing" Her voice of commisera-
ton VAS perfect. You did such a lot
OF dancing, toO!''
Now. this was flying IN the very face
Of Provide nee, for had we not sat ont
six loEg dances and wound I'D with a
Enlightened supper together thanks 10
the kindly chaPeron who had for once
filled Mrs. Papillon's accustomed post.
not so adequately. L fear, but with
much more humanity in the method.
Mother has gone to the Van Browns. -
she said somewhat hurrfedly, as 1 open
ed my mouth TO speak.
Now. what 1 was going to say for ever
destined to be lost, for at that moment
there came q sound Of footsteps mount
ing the stairs, a womans voice, and the
rustic = silk skirts.
Tell Miss Papillon shall not keep
her a moment
My companion turned to me with a
quick movement of horror
It's Daisy DeTing," she said. What
ever am [ to do? She'll come right in
and find you here-and go and tell Nam
ma-and the rooms full of smoke!-
l knew full well the fame for mischief
making that the lady in question pos
sessed, and must own that at the time
DID not think the danger exaggerated
threw up the remaining Windows
hastily and gazed around in desperation.
as the footsteps steadily approa ched
and saw there was another door at the
further end Of the room