The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-08-21
THE RED
CAPE
BY c. Langton Clarke
- 81 " aas.aAs
Copyright, 1901. by r. d. Mceia

"Such an Internal nuisance!,' said
Jack Someryille as he sat In his easy
chair nursing q sprained ankle and
scowling at his friend, Dick Calender.
What did you let go Of the fudder
eorr' '
.Sorry, old man." said the other;
shut it was as much your fault as
mine"
"And I had promised my amt to
meet girl, cousin of mine, who Is
coming to stay with her. IT'S, nearly
traintime now. Look here!' You will
have to go instead of me. so :. -.
"I?, cried Dick, aghast.a why. r
shouldn't know her If 1 saw .shcrr'
Neither should l." growled the 9TH
er. Haven't seen her for; years.; hut.
she will be wearing a red cape, $50 my
aunt says, and that ought to be enough
to identify her-a tall, dark gfll with
red cape. Now. don't stand gaping.
You have no time to lose. Take her III
a cab to my aunt's and then come back
here" s,,s..es.
He pulled out his watch again with,
an impatient gesture, and Dick, anx
ious to atone for his share In the ac-
cident, hurried away s.:.f5a5sssi fsSi<3- q
AS he lounged about the; pla tforin
waiting for the train to arrive he re-
membered that the young ladys name.
had not been mentioned, or, II It had.
he had entirely forgotten It. s"1'H stick
to the red CAPE" he said to himself.
| land can't go far wrong" :t
| When the train at last arrived, Dick
moved slowly along the line Of cars.
keeping watchful eye ON the Ijassen-
gers as they alighted, and his vigilance
was rewarded by the sight Of 3, tall,
dark young lady wearing Il scarlet cape
and carrying several parcels ess;,
SCI beg your pardon" Dick began, diff
tidently addressing her. 81 have been
commissioned to meet you and escort
you to the house. Jack intended to
come, but he has sprained his ankle"
| The young lady looked greatB dis
tressed. "Oh, hope he is not much.
hurtw she cried as she claspen her
hands over her bundles. "Poor Jack!
suppose; you are great friend. Of
his?" ..+ f.tsc. ess.s,s.
1--WE are excellent friends" Dick re-
piled. my name is Richard Calender.
1t seems an absurd thing to say, but
Jack quite forgot to mention your name
to me-" :-'':.:.- ?, *ets Il -. SEs'} s."9s
| "Thats very odd," replied the girl.
"And you say you are such,.a friend OF,
his! MY name is Mary, .Heathsrstone.
Do you mean to say you have never
heard John speak Of me?'' stfs;s4,,
| "Oh, of "a course! WhaESa chump j
amr' cried the, young man, with 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 cab. and
the young man had seated himself by
her side. 'Does he seem Quite Happy a.
"First ratev' said Dick Particular
ly since he became engaged."sss
The young lady smiled and looked
pleased. Gle has had plenty of, time
to get used to that idea" she said.
"Oh, don't knowps Dick replied.
'Two weeks is not such veH long
time. YOU know stss u ~. - e
The smile faded from the 80
''Two weeksI' she cried. y
has been engaged for Two saSo' syeal "a 4,
Dick laughed. 'I suppose 6nl are
thinking of that other little aHair," be
said; "but, really, that newer a IisOuhted
to anything This time u is far good
and all. He met Gertie .Gould for the
first time two months ago, and it was
all settled fortnight ago at the ten
mis- club ball. Good heavens! What's
the matter?' The girl had caught him
by the wrist, and her face was deadly
] pale. r. Ia'*& "
"You are not deceiying meY' she
cried. mo, 7 see that you areinot.
must go home again.. Tell the cabman
to drive back to the station. Quick!
Do as tel you'll" 80 ~.
She was fumbling WITH Tie handle Of
the door and was altogether in spch
an excited state that Dick; who was
greatly taken aback to- find himself
face to face with a tragedy, complied
with her Instructions.
"Can I not help you In some way r.
he said at last, being greatly moved
by the sight of the girls evident mis-
cry. - .i.s5 -g3i
what would you think, she asked
rousing herself, "of a man who, would
let the girl to whom he had been en-
i her home, all happiness, to be married
1 to him. hear from the lips of stran
ger that he had been false to his plight
i ed wordY'
81 should say that he was cad!
replied Dick fiercely, and Miss Heath
erstOne smiled wanly through hel
tears at his vehemence.
As they were entering the vestibule
Of the railway station Dick felt his
arm seized by his companion and, fol
| lowing the direction Of herlseyes, saw
q young stranger Of pleasing appear.
| ance approaching them. s.is..
"You will protect me from insult
won't your the girl asked GREATNESS
~. and Dick felt that he would be
quite equal to the occasion, though
the other man was the heavier by
many pounds. ,.54frsGss
The stranger advanced, smiling, un
til well within the range LOT. Miss
Heatherstone's stony gaze, when III
stopped short, and his outstretched
hand fell back to his side. -,
| MOlly!' he salu III great surprise
'What is the meaning Of this wei
conner sss ga ~
"Let me pass" replied the girl in thu
tones of a tragedy queen. Il have dis
covered your perddy. and ] am going
home"
She pushed on, and the young man,
who had at first showed signs Of an in
tention to block her progress, fell back.
"You are mad" he said, land as for
you, SIR" addressing Dick. st,.f shall
probably have few words to. say to
you"
when have escorted this lady to
the waiting ROOM" replied Dick loftily,
Il shall be happy to listen to anything
you may have to say"
AS soon as Dick and his charge had
entered the waiting room Miss Heath
erstOne turned to- him. s.H0ws.nObIy