The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-01-10
The Bishops
lmprOnptu
By E. E. GARRETT
Copyright, 1907, By e. L. Garnet

AdlSfOi POSSeSSSu you, Salu MISS
Cordelia, ito quarrel with herY
Il didn't She quarreled with me-"
Don't be an Adam"
Bert ignored the case of Adam. eff
J could see her alone" he said gently
Aalone accidentally
Accidentally, Of course That's where
l come in?'
"Why not2"
Because l am on her side"
But So" radiantly, Jam 1, always
on her side''
"Oh, indeedv
Miss Cordelia, she sent me her ring
with a note saying she had changed
her mind. 1. can't go cringing after
that can 1? But accidentally
Why" interrupted Miss Cordelia,
ibid she change her mindY'
Some law Of the fourth dimension
may explain"
you've no guess?"
WELL" 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 a nuisance
Miss Cordelia, but" settling himself
like rock, 81 must stay until she
comes. She comes often, doesn't sheP
Miss Cordelia began to laugh ''Why,"
she asked, don't you write to herr"
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 sureY
"Oh, the minute l see her"
at must be delightful" Miss Cor
della remarked pleasantly, ito be a
man."
''Oh, I'll know" said Bert, with gen
ial assurance, land you'll help, and
them He stopped, with a sudden
fash of mischief in his eyes.
"And thenT Miss Cordelia leaned
toward him. with her own eyes twin
king.
''Then I'll kidnap herr cried Bert
and sprang to his feet. eff she cares,
Miss Cordelia, upon my soul, I'll kid
nap her"
''Oh, how young and sillyr' said Miss
Cordelia and sighed.
Listen. It's quite sensible" Bert
explained joyously. 1.-THE engagement
was talked about, you know. Every
one discovered it."
Eyes," assented Miss Cordelia and
smiled
Now the break is being talked
about, and little Mike, poor girl, hates
the whole business"
ITS quite likely" Miss Cordelia put
In dryly, that she especially hates the
talk going on about you and that little
f1irt Nellie Carl"
THAT isn't my fault. Anyway"
with conviction. "this plan will make
everything right"
"Oh, indeed repeated Miss Corde-
lia
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"
$50
49," beamingly. well cut the thing
short"
"And I'm to furnish the knife?
Bert gave her a nod tits great"
he cried and made for the door. "I'n
see the bishop"
Mercy on usr' protested Miss Cor
della, but he only paused to make a
brief request.
Miss Cordelia"-
ooh, you silly boyw
ASK her to wear white"
II dare say"
I'm tell her the rest myself"
"And when" laghued Miss Cordelia,
sis she to wear whlteY
Tonight, of course. You wouldn't
have me live through another day like
thisY
Miss Cordelia surrendered. Come
to dinner" she told him. "Come early
-and-we'll see."
Its great" said Bert and was off.
Miss Cordelia began to feel little
fiuttered. She got Mike on the tele-
phone. Would Mike come to dinner?
Mike would be delighted to come
''And l WISH" called Miss Cordelia
next, that you'd wear white, dear.
II like you in white"
Its very fortunate then. that I've
a new white silk" said Mike.
Miss Cordelia chuckled. Come ear
ly," she added BE sure to come ear
ly, and Nike
Eyes"
There's quite a snow beginning.
Wear that pretty, warm cloak Of yours,
the long fur lined one with the hood.
We're all going to IA little impromp-
tn 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 secret" she explained.
"Gracious, how funny! Does the
bishop know? Who knows?'
Every few know" admitted Miss Cor
della
"Mayn't I?'- pleaded Mike sweetly.
Have white dress and cloak" smil-
ing, anything to do with itY'
Miss Cordelia suddenly kissed her.
"Tt's beautiful secret Bert will tell
you, and you mustn't be angry, dear. !"
"Oh,' said Mike, and for an instant
the flash 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 faltered
l think you might show him a little
grace"
How" Mike questioned frostily
''does any one know anything?"
"Oh, they look at Bert, 1 suppose, y
saiz astute Miss Cordelia. ''Shall we
go down, dearY
They went down and found Mr.. Jor
dan waiting. There was a white rose
bud in his coat, and he was rather
white himself, but kind Of smolder
ing fire was In his eyes.
"Will you show Mike my new or
rhids?' suggested Miss Cordelia. 81
must stay here to receive the Other
guests. And, Bert, tell her about the
tmpromptu-the bishops impromptu."
Mr.. Jordan bowed. Mike led Out
with q graceful nonchalance
They at once forgot the new orchids
though a whole end of the conservatory
was a cascade with their weird rain
| bow bloom.
After a silent time Mike pouted.
"You needn't sulk," she told him.
Il didn't mean to- Bert protested IL
hurried meekness. Il was only anxious
J about-about some roses that I've or
/ dered."