The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-01-06

said astute Miss Cordelia. shall we
go down, denrr
They went down and found Mr.. Jor-
dan waiting. There was white rose
bud in his coat. and he was rather
white himself, but n kind Of smolder-
ing fire was In his eyes
'Will you show Mike my new or
chids?" suggested Miss Cordelin. II
must stay here to receive the other
| guests. And. Bert, tell her about the
impromptu-the bishops impromptu."
Mr.. Jordan bowed. Mike led out
with n graceful nonchalancc
They Mt once forgot the new orchids,
though whole end OF the conservatory
was a cascade with their weird rain
bow bloom.
After n silent time Mike pouted.
"You needn't sulk," she told him.
II didn't mean to-" Bert protested in
hurried meekness. II was only anxious
about-nbout some roses that I've Or
dered.'
"Oh, indeedw
"Yes. I was wondering IL they'd get
to the bishops in time"
You and Miss Cordelia," she re-
marked sedately, "seem to have the
bishops impromptu quite weighing on
your minds"
"Oh, it's no great matter to her." said
Bert.
"But n great matter to youF'
"Well, they're--bride roses, you see"
"A weddingw cried Mike alertly.
"Was that what Miss Cordelia meant
weddingT
Yes" he admitted, that is what she
meant" And he was white as his
rosebud
She looked at him, and suddenly the
battle was again in her eyes.
"IIow stupid Of mew she said and
made n low bow to him. "Of course
only the bridegroom sends the bride
roses. Allow me to congratulate YOU
You've been breaking it to me gently
I nm so much obliged to you-that you
are the happy man."
1T Is my wedding" said Bert and
set his teeth.
$50 kind Of you to mention it. Has
Miss Carl come yetT'
II don't know"
Shouldn't you be finding out?'
But here there came q divevsion.-the
swish OF skirts, with chatter and laugh
ter. going down the hall
oh" said Mike, they're going in to
dinner"
Mr.. Jordan gravely offered his arm
The girls lips quivered. She looked
up at him in swift appeal in the way
OF the days before the quarrel.
They'll all know" she faltered,
that you've been telling me, and
they'll try not to stare and not to smile.
and Ii viii be horrid. horridr' ,..
Don't CO." said Bert.
She gave nervous laugh and slip
ped her hand within his arm, but he
stood still.
I'VE must co." she said and gave Il
little pull and set her mouth In as firm
line as she could. "It's too late not to-"
"It's rather late to CO." said Bert
They're all seated by now. If Miss
Cordelia has given us the places that
she used to give u.s.
"We'n have to walk the whole length
Of the table," broke in Mike and gave
little sob. "I'll never forgive Miss
Cordelia-never And where" sudden
ly drawing away from him, "is Nellie
Carl?,
~ think" said Bert, astutely bend
ing his head to listen, "that they're
sending for U.S." Truly n step came
down the hall
"Oh," gasped Mike, $50 they are!'
Lets cut and rum" said Bert.
In another instant they had whisked
out among the stray fakes Of the piaz-
Ia. She leaned against one Of the pill
lars. One hand in a hurried little fiutter
OF excitement went to her throat. The
other Bert held and felt it trembling.
Come on" he said, 5oyously facing
the snowy night "come onr'
"Come whereT The dismay Of it was
touching, but Bert laughed.
ITO the bishop" he explained. "The
impromptu."
"But don't want to go there now"
why not2 You always intended,
didn't you-to be married by the bish-
OPT Why not nowT
There was a pause, wherein vainly
through the darkness he tried to search
her face.
Let me carry you to the Sleigh"
Bert entreated, so that your little feet
will not get wet In the snow.'
Your sleigh is waiting7"
"At the curb"
And Nellie Carlr'
He laughed triumphantly and, snatch
ing her MP in his arms, ran out into the
street, and ready under the great fur
robes Of the sleigh was the hooded
cloak.
How ever did Miss Cordelia guessr'
laughed Bert as he drew 1t about her,
''or did you tell her7"
You are two wicked plotters," re-
turned Mike Indignantly. II shall 60