Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-09-12
THE RED
CAPE
BY C. Langton Clarke

What did you let go OF the ladder
forr'
Sorry. old man." said the other;
but It was as much your fault as
mine"
"And had promised my aunt to
meet girl, cousin Of mine, who II
coming to stay with her It's nearly
traintime now. Look herel You will
have to go instead Of me-"
APP cried Dick, aghast. "Why,
shouldn't know her II l saw herr
Neither should l." growled the 9th
er. Haven't seen her for years; but
aunt says, and that ought to be enough
to identify her--a tall, dark girl with
red cape Now, don't stand gaping.
You have no time to lose. Take her In
u cab to my aunt's and then come back
here"
He pulled out his watch again with
an inpatient gesture, and Dick, anx-
ious to atone for his share In the ac-
cldent, hurried away.
As he lounged about the platform
waiting for the train to arrive he re-
membered that the young lady's name
had not been mentioned, or, II It had,
he had entirely forgotten II. I'm stick
to the red cape" he said to himself,
land | can't go far wrong"
When the train ut last arrived, Dick
moved slowly along the line OF cars,
keeping watchful eye on the passen
gers as they alighted, and his vigilance
was rewarded by the sight of tall,
dark young lady wearing scarlet cape
and carrying several parcels.
81 beg your pardon" Dick began, DIFF
ildently addressing her. II have been
you to the house Jack intended to
come but he has sprained his ankle"
The young lady looked greatly dis
trcssed "Oh | hope he Is not much
hgr,w she ied as she clasped her
hands over her bundles Poor Jackl
| suppose you sre 3 great friend OF
his"
I'VE are excellent friends" Dicg re
piled my name IL Richard Calender
1t seems an absurd thing to say, but
Jack quite forgot to mention your name
to me-"
That's very odd" replied the girl.
"And you say you are such a friend of
his! My name il Mary HeatherstOne.
DO you mean to say you have never
heard John speak Of meT
ooh OF course, What chump |
am" cried tie Young man. " III the
fatal readiness to avoid explanations
which was one OF his characteristics
Now, tell me all about Jack" Miss
HeatherstOne said after she had been
comfortably established In Il cab and
the young man had seated himself by
her side. Does he seem quite happy"
First rate" said Dick. "Particular-
~ since he became engaged"
The young lady smiled and looked
pleased lie has had plenty Of time
to get used to that idea" she said.
"Oh, don't know" Dick replied
"TwO weeks IL not such very long
time. you know"
The smile faded from the girls face.
"TwO weeksw she cried "Why, he
has been engaged for two years"
Dick laughed. II suppose you are
thinking Of that other little affair" he
sald: but, really. that never amounted
to anything This time II Is for good
and all lie met Gertie Gould for the
first time two months ago, and II was
all settled fortnight ago at the ten
mis- club ball. Good heavens What's
the matterY The girl had caught him
by the wrist, aud her face was deadly
pale.
You are not deceiying meT she
cried. mo. ! see that you are not. |
must go home again. Tell the cabman
10 drl"c bnck TO the station. Quick!
DO az I tell you"
Hhe was fumbling with the handle Of
the door and was altogether In such
m excited state that Dick, who was
greatly taken aback to find himself
face TO face with u tragedy, complied
with her instructions.
"Can ! not help you In some wayT
he said at last, being greatly moved
by the sight of the girls evident mis-
cry
what would you think" she asked.
rousing herself, 'Of man who would
let the girl to whom he had been en-
gagged for two years and who had left
her home all happiness. to be married
to him. hear from the lips Of a stran-
ger that he had been false to his plight
ed wordW
81 should say that he was cad"
replied Dick iercely. and Miss Heath
erstOne smiled wanly through her
tears at his vehemence.
As they were entering the yestibule
Of the railway station Dick felt his
ann seized by his companion and, fol
lowing the direction OF her eyes. saw
young stranger Of pleasing appear
Gnce approaching them.
you will protect me from insult,
won't your the girl asked brenthless-
ly and Dick felt that he would be
quite equal to the occasion. though
the other man was the heavier by
many pounds.
The stranger advanced, smiling, IN
III well within the range Of Miss
HeatherstOne's stony gaze, when he
stopped short, and his outstretcbed
hand fell back to his side.
"Mollyw he said In great surprise.
"What IL the meaning Of this wei
Gomez
LET me pass" replied the girl In the
tones Of II tragedy queen. ~ have dis
covered your perndy. aud am going
home"
She pushed on, and the young man,
who had ut first showed signs VI an IN