The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-07
An Afternoon Stroll and an Evening
Catastrophe.
CHAPTER XIX.

Catastrophe.
Miss Mibery the next morning faced
with becoming resignation what she felt
would be her last day of entire freedom.
She was down and out philosophtcally !
to play nine holes with her host before
breakfast.
Her brother. awakening less happily,
made a series of discoveries regarding
his bodily sensati ons that caused him to
view life with disaffection Noting that
the hour was early, however he took
cheer, and after long, strong. cold
drink. which he rang for, and prick
Ing icy shower. which he nerved himself
to. he was ready to ignore his aching
head and get the start of Mauburn.
The Englshman. he seemed to recall.
had drunk even more than he, and. as
it was barely eight o'clock, would prob
ably not come to life for a couple of hours
yet. He made his way to the breakfast
room. The thought of food was not pleas
ant. but another brandy and soda. bead
ing vivaciously in it's tall glass. would en-
able him to watch with fortitude the spec
tacle of others who might chance to be eat
Ing, and he would have at least two hours
of Miss Bines. before Mauburns head
should ache him back to consciousness.
He opened the door of the spacious
breakfast-room. Thru the broad win
dows from the southeast came the glorious
shine of the morning sun to make him
blink; and seated where it flooded him as
calcium was Mauburn, Respondent in
his myriad frecl<les, trim. alive, and obvi-
ously hungry. Around his plate We're cold
mutton, a game pie, eggs. bacon, tarts,
toast. and sodden- looking marina lade.
Mauburn was eating of these with vo-
racity that published his singleness of
mind to all who might observe.
Milbrey steadied himself with one hand
upon the door-post. and with the other he
sought to brush this monstrous illusion
from his tickle eyes. But Mauburn and
the details of his deadly British breakfast
became only more distinct The appal lied
observer groaned and rushed for the side
board. whence decanter, a bowl of
cracked ice and siphon beckoned.
Between two gulps of coffee Mauburn
grnned affaby.
''Mornin, old chap! Feelin' a bit seedy?
BY Jove! don't wonder. Tn not so fit
myself. 1 fancy, you know, it must have
been that beastly anchovy paste we had on
the biscuits
Milbreys burning eyes beheld him reach
out for another slice Of the cold, terrible
mutton.
Life said Milbrey. as he inflated his
brandy from the siphon, lis an empty
dream this morning. .."..
wake up. then, old chap!" Mauburn
cordially urged, engaging the game pie in
deadly conflict; "try rasher; nothing like
1t; bettern peggin' it so early Never
drink till dinner time, old chap and you'll
be able to eat in the morning like-like a
blooming baby" And he proceeded tc
crown this notion Of infancy's breakfast
with jam tart of majestic proportions.
Where are the people?' inquired Mil
brey, eking out his own moist breakfast
with cigarette.
"All down and out except some of the
women. Miss Bines just drove off four
Inland with the two Angsteads-held the
reins like old whip, too, by Jove; but
they'll be back after luncheon-and di
rectly after luncheon she's promised tt
ride with me. I fancy we'll have a little
practice over the sticks .-a
"And fancy I'm going straight back t,
bed-that is. if it's all right to fancy
thing you're certain about -.. i
Outside most of the others had scat
tered for life in the open. each to his taste
Some We're on the links. Some had gon
with the coach. A few had ridden earl
to the meet of the Essex hounds nea
Easthampton. where stiff run ex
pected. Others had. gone to. follow tn
hunt in traps. lively group came bac
now to read the morning papers by tn
log fire In the big CHEEKY hall. Anon
them We're Percival and Miss Milbrey
When they had dawdled over the paper
for an hour Miss Milbrey grew slight
FESTIVE. IS
why doesn't he have it over?'' sh
asked herself, with some impatience. An
she delicately gave Percival, not an OF
portunity. but opportunities to make a
opportunity. which is a vastly differer
form of procedure.
But the luncheon hour came and poop
struggled back, and the afternoon begal
and the request for Miss Milbrey's hea
and hand was still unaccountably de
ferred Nor could she feel any of thos
subtle premonitions that usually warn
woman when the event Is preparing In
lovers secret heart.
Reminding herself Of his letters, ST
began to suspect that, while he cou
write unreservedly he might be shy ar
reluctant of speech; and that shyne
now deferred him. So much being clea
she determined to force the issue and Ell
the strain for both -
Perciva had shown not little il
terest In pretty Mrs. Akemit and w
now talking with that fascinating creatu
as she lolled on low seat before the fl
In her lacy blue house-gown. At the m
ment she was adroitly posing one 70
and then the other before the warm
of the CRATE. 1t may be disclosed witho
damage to this tale that the feet of M,
Akennt were not cold: but that they, we
trifles most daintiy shod, and. as her sic
der sken ankles curved them toward t
blaze from her froth of petticoat, tn
were worth looking at.
FOOD IN NEED