Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-03-23
The Bishops
ImprOnptu
By {. E. GARNETT
Copyright, 1901, bg T.. 4. GdzTstt


Don't be an Adam"
Bert Ignored the case of Adam. III
could see her alone" he said gently
"alone accidentally"
Accidentally, of course That's where
l come inT'
why notT"
Because | am on her side
But 50" radiantly, am l, always
on her side"
"Oh, indeed
Miss Cordelia, she sent me her ring
with note saying she had~Achanged
her mind. l can't 90 cringing after
that can l? But accidentally
Why" interrupted Miss Cordelia,
did she change her mindp
"Some law OF the fourth dimension
may explain"
You've no guessf'
We'll" protested Bert, "a man can't
be an Egyptian mummy Just because
he's engaged"
Il see. And don't see any hope for
you"
Then I'm sorry to be nuisance,
Miss Cordella but" settling himself
like a rock. 81 must stay until she
comes. She comes often doesn't sheT
Miss Cordella began TO laugh. Why"
she asked. don't you write to herT
Il want to be sure that she cares
before-well, one doesn't like TO be a
hound dog for nothing
And how will you be made sureT
"Oh, the minute see her"
1T must be delightful" Miss Cor
della remarked pleasantly, Ito be
man"
"Oh. III know" said Bert, with gen
ial assurance, "and you'll help, and
then He stopped, with a sudden
fash Of mischief in his eyes.
And them Miss Cordelia leaned
toward him. with her own eyes twin
king.
Then I'll kidnap her" cried Bert
and sprang to his feet. IF she cares,
Miss Cordelia, upon my soul, I'll kid
nap her"
"Oh, how young and silly" said Miss
Cordeha and sighed
Listen It's quite sensible" Bert
was talked about, you know. Every
one discovered It,"
Yes" assented Miss Cordelia and
smiled
Now the break is being talked
about, and little Mike, poor girl, hates
the whole business"
It's quite likely" Miss Cordelia put
in dryly, that she especially hates the
talk going on about you and that little
fllrt Nellie Carl"
That isn't my fault. Anyway"
with conviction, this plan will make
everything right"
"Oh, indeed" repeated Miss Corde
liza
You see, after all she's been
through
Exactly" Miss Cordelia put In, with
feeling
Il mean In the way Of talk. She'll
hate to begin all over again"
So
80" beamingly, wen cut the thing
short"
And I'm to furnish the knifeF'
bert gave uST II uOu II 6LCuN
he cried and made for the door. IN
BEE the bishop"
Mercy on u.s." protested Miss Cor
della, but he only paused to make
brief request.
miss Cordelia"-
"Oh, you silly boy"
ASK her TO wear white"
IL dare say"
"Ill tell her the rest myself"
And when" laghued Miss Cordelia,
is she TO wear whitef"
Tonight, Of course. You wouldn't
have me live through another day like
thisf"
Miss Cordelia surrendered. Come
TO dinner" she told him Come early
-and-we'n see"
Its great" said Bert and was off.
Miss Cordelia began to feel a little
iuttered. She got Mike on the tele-
phone. Would Mike come to dinnerf
Mike would be delighted to come.
And WISH" called Miss Cordelia
next, that you'd wear white, dear.
IL like you in white"
TITS very fortunate, then, that I've
new white silk" said Mike.
Miss Cordelia chuckled- Come ear
IT," she added BE sure TO come ear
ly, and Nike
Yes"
There's quite q snow beginning
Wear that pretty, warm cloak Of yours
the long, fur lined one with the hood
We're all going to "a little impromp-
tu at the bishops and come back to
supper" And then she fed out Of
hearing.
Mike dressed as desired and came
early.
What sort Of impromptu" she ques-
toned brightly.
Miss Cordelia helped TO unfasten the
fur cloak.
Its a secret" she explained.
Gracious, how funny! Does the
bishop know Who knows"
Very few know" admitted Miss Cor
della
"Mayn't ~ pleaced Mike sweetly.
Have white dress md a cloak, smil-
ing, anything 20 do with itT
Miss Cordelia suddenly kissed her.
Its a beautiful secret. Bert will tell
you. and you mustn't be angry, dear"
"Oh,' said Mike and for an instant
the fash OF battle was in her eyes,
"Mr. Bert Jordan Is here?"
You don't want to avoid him, do
you? Since every one knows you have
rejected the poor boy, | think" faitered
Miss Cordelia-"but | mustn't meddle-
think you might show him little
grace"
How" Nike questioned frostily,
docs any one know anythingY
"Oh, they look at Bert, l suppose" !"
said astute Miss COrdelia. Shall we
go down, dearY
They went down and found Mr.. Jor-