The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-11-14
THE RED
CAPE
By c. LangtOn Clarke
Copyright, 1901, by T. c. Mcclure
COPYRIGHT, 1901, by T. c. Mcclure

S~e~o>e>o>e>oe>o~e~e>o%e~S
Such an Internal nuisance." said
Jack Somerville as he sat in his easy
chair nursing a sprained ankle and
scowling at his friend, Dick Calender
What did you let go of the ladder
for?"
Sorry, old man." said the other:
''but it was as much Your fault as
mine"
And 1 had promised my aunt 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-"
"I:' cried Dick, aghast. "Why. !
shouldn't know her if l saw her.
Neither should l." growled the 9TH
er. Haven't seen her for years; but
she will be wearing a red cape, so my
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
a cab to my aunt's and then come back
here"
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.
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, if it had.
I, h.,H nnfipnI1- pnrUpttnn n EsI'1l ctin1.
to the red cape" he said to himself,
land / 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 us they alighted, and his vigilance
was rewarded by the sight of Il tall
dark young lady wearing scarlet cape
and carrying several parcels.
Il beg your pardon Dick began, diff
tidently addressing her. Il 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 greatly dis
trcssed. "Oh, l hope he is not much
hurt she cried as she claspcd her
hands over her bundles. Poor Jack!
1 suppose you are great friend of
his?"
I'VE 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"
That's very odd" replied the girl.
"-lnd you say you are such Il friend of
his. My name is Mary Heatherstone.
Do you mean to say you have never
heard John speak of me?"
"Oh, of course. What chump l
ann! cried the young man, with the
fatal readiness to avoid explanations
which was one of his characteristics.
Nov tell me all about jack Miss
Heathur$tone said after she had been
comfortably established in a cab and
the young man had seated himself by
her side. docs he seem quite happy?'
First rate" said Dick. Particular
ly since he became engaged"
The young lady smiled and looked
pleased. Gle 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 very long
time, you know"
The smile faded from the girls face.
'Two weeks.' she cried. why, he
has been engaged for two years.
Dick laughed. Il suppose you are
thinking Of that other little affair."" he
said; but, really, that never amounted
to anything. This time it is for 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.
You are not deceiving me-" she
cried. NO, 1 see that you are not. l
must go home again. Tell the cabman
to drive back to the station. Quick.
Do as tell you"
She was fumbling with the handle of
the door and was altogether i'll such
an excited state that Dick. who was
greatly taken aback TO find himself
face to face with tragedy, complied
with nef instructions.
Can l not help you in some way"
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 a man who would
let the girl to whom he had been ell
gagged for two years and who had left
her home, all happiness. to be married
to him, hear from the lips of q stran-
ger that he had been false to his plight
ed word!"
Il should say that he was cad"'
replied Dick fiercely, and Miss Heath
erstone smiled wanly through her
tears at his vehemcncc.
AS they were entering the vestibule
of the railway station Dick felt his
arm seized by his companion and, fol-
lowing the direction of her eyes, saw
young stranger of pleasing appear
ance approaching them.
You will protect me from insult,
won't you:' the girl asked breathless-
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. un-
til well within the range of Miss
Heatherstonc's stony gaze, when he
stopped short, and his outstretched
hand fell back to his side.
MOLLY" he said in great surprise
"What Is the meaning of this vel
Gomez
LET me pass" replied the girl in the
tones Of tragedy queen. Il have dis
covered your perfidy, and l 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. Il shall
probably have few words to say to
you"
"When I have escorted this lady to
the waiting ROOM" replied Dick loftily,
Il shall be happy to listen to anything
you may have TO say"
~ soop. as Dick and his charge had