Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-09-23
THE RED
CAPE
BY c. Langt0n Clarke
Copyright, 1901, by T. c. Mcclure
BY c. Langton Clarke

Jack S0merville as he sat IN his cas-.
chair nursing a sprained ankle ant
scowling at his friend, Dick Calender
What did you let 60 of the ladde
for?"
Sorry, old man." said the other
''but it was as much your fault a
mine"
And b had promised my aunt Il
meet a girl. cousin of mine. who il
coming to stay with her. It's nearl!
traintime now Look here! You vii
have to go instead of me-"
az" cried Dick, aghast. "Why,
shouldn't know her if l saw herr
Neither should l." growled the 9th
er. Haven't seen her for years: bu
she. will be wearing red cape, so m,
aunt says. and that ought to be enough
to identify her-a tall, dark girl witt
a red cape Now, don't stand gaping
You have no time to lose. Take her il
a cab to my aunts and then come bacl
here"
He pulled out his watch again will
an impatient gesture. and Dick, anx
ious to atone for his share I'm the ac
cident, hurried away.
AS he lounged about the platform
waiting for the train to arrive he re
membered that the young lady's nam,
had not been mentioned, or, II 1t had
he had entirely forgotten it. s'I'll sticl
to the red cape" he said to himself
'and l can't go far wrong"
When the train at 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 a tall
dark young lady wearing scarlet cape
and carrying several parcels.
81 beg yollr pardon" Dick began, diff
fidently addressing her. II have beer
commissioned to meet you and escort
you to the house. Jack intended tt
come, but lie has sprained his ankle"
The young lady looked greatly dis
tressed. '0h. | hope he is not mucl
hurt" she cried as she cIasped hel
hands over her bundles. Poor Jack
| suppose you are a great friend /oi
his?v
I'VE are excellent friends" Dick re
piled. "AIy name is 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 friend OF
his. Ny name is Mary Heatherstone
Do you mean to say you have never
heard John speak of me?'
ooh, of course! What chump
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 a cab and
the young man had seated himself by
her side. docs he seem quite happyg
First rate" said Dick. Particular.
ly since he became engaged
The young lady smiled and looked
pleased. "He has had plenty of time
to get used to that idea" she said.
"Oh, l don't know" Dick replied
1.-TWO weeks is not such a very long
time, you know"
The smile faded from the girls face
''Two weeks she cried. "Why, be
has been engaged for two years.
Dick laughed. Il suppose you arr
thinking of that other little affair."" b,
said; but, really. that never amounted
to anything This time it is for gooe
and all. lie met Gertie Gould for thu
first time two months ago, and 1t wal
all settled a fortnight ago at the ten
mis- club ball. Good heavens, What
the matter?" The girl had caught hin
by the wrist, and her face was dead.
pale.
You are not deceiving mew sh,
cried. $40, ! see that you are not.
must go home again. Tell the cabmal
to drive back to the station. Quick
Do as / tell you.''
She was fumbling with the handle 0
the door and was altogether in sucl
an excited state that Dick. who wa
greatly taken aback TO find himsel
face to face with tragedy, compile,
with her instructions.
"Can not help you in some wayf
he said at last. being greatly moves
by the sight of the girls evident mis-
cry.
What would you Think" she asked
rousing herself. "of man who woul,
let the girl to whom he had been Ell
gagged for two years and who had lef
her home, all happiness, to be marrle'
to him. hear from the lips of stran
ger that he had been false to his plight
/ ed wordr'
Il should say that he was cads
replied Dick fiercely, and Miss Heath
erstone smiled wanly through he
tears at his vehemence.
AS they were entering the vestibui
of the railway station Dick felt hi
arm seized by his companion and. FOL
| lowing the direction of her eyes. say
a young stranger Of pleasing appear
fnce approaching them
lyon will protect me from insult
won't you:' the girl asked breathless
II. ard Dick felt that he would b
quite equal to the occasion, thougl
the other man was the heavier b.
many pounds.
The stranger advanced, smiling. IN
til well within the range Of Mis-
Heatherstone's stony gaze, when b
stopped short, and his outstretche
hand fell back to his side.
Molly, he said In great surprise
what is the meaning Of this We
Gomez,
i LET me pass" replied the girl in tn
tones of tragedy queen. 81 have di:
covered your perfidy, and I am goin