The Press., 1905-03-29
The Bishops
ImprOnptu
By z. z. GARRETT
Copyright, 1901, By Il. Il. Garnet

| Whatever possessed you," said Miss
Cordelia, ''to quarrel with herF'
81 didn't. She quarreled with me-"
"Don't be an Adam"
Bert ignored the case Of Adam. ''Ii
I could see her alone" he said gently
'alone accidentally"
Accidentally, of course That's where
come in?'
"Why notT'
Because am on her side"
"But So" radiantly, "am 1, always
on her siAS-"
"Oh, indeedr'
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 guessY'
WELL" protested Bert, "a man can't
be an Egyptian mummy just because
he's engaged"
"I see. And don't see any hope for
you"
'"Then I'm sorry to be a nuisance,
Miss Cordelia. but" settling himself
like a rock, 81 must stay until she
comes. She comes often. doesn't she"
Miss Cordelia began to laugh. "Why,"
she asked, don't you write to her?'
at 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 sureP"
'Oh, the minute l see her"
at must be delightful" Miss Cor
della remarked pleasantly, "to 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 thenF' Miss Cordelia leaned
toward him. with her own eyes twin
king.
'Then I'll kidnap herr cried Bert
and sprang to his feet. "If 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."
''Yes," 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
hirt 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.
81 mean in the way of talk. She'll
hate to begin all over again."
$50
$50" beamingly, ''we'n cut the thing
short"
"And I'm to furnish the knife?'
Bert gave her a nod Its great"
he cried and made for the door. "I'n
see the bishop"
Mercy on us!' protested Miss Cor
della. but he only paused to make a
brief request.
Miss Cordelia"-
"Oh, you silly boy!"
ASK her to wear white"
81 dare say"
''I'll tell her the rest myself"
"And when" laghued Miss Cordelia.
'is she to wear whittier"
Tonight, of course. You wouldn't
have me live through another day like
thisP'
Miss Cordelia surrendered. "Come
to dinner" she told him. Come early |
see."
Its great" said Bert and was of.
Miss Cordelia began to feel a little
auttered. She got Mike on the tele-
phone. Would Mike come to dinner7
Nike would be delighted to come.
"And 1 wish" called Miss Cordelia |
next, "that you'd wear white, dear.
II like you In white"
Its very fortunate, then, that I've
/ new white silk" said Mike.
Miss Cordelia chuckled. "Come ear
y" she added. BE sure to come ear
y, and Nixie''-
"Yes.''
There's quite a snow beginning.
Wear that pretty, warm cloak of yours,
he long, fur lined one with the hood.
We're all going to IA little impromp-
u at the bishops and come back to
And then she fed out of
fearing.
Mike dressed as desired and came
arly.
what sort of impromptur she ques-
toned brightly.
Miss Cordelia helped to unfasten the
ur cloak.
'It's secret" she explained.
Gracious, how funny! Does the
bishop know? Who knowsr'
Every few know" admitted Miss Cor
ella.
''Mayn't IP' pleaded Mike sweetly.
Have white dress and cloak" smil-
1g, anything to do with itY'
Miss Cordelia suddenly kissed her.
It's beautiful secret. Bert will tell
on, and you mustn't be angry, dear"
"Oh," said Mike. and for an instant
he flash of battle was in her eyes.
Mr.. Bert Jordan is here?"
''You don't want to avoid him, do
on? Since every one knows you have
jected the poor boy, think" faltered
ISIS Cordelia-"but mustn't meddle-
think you might show him a little
ace"
How" Mike questioned frostily,
Ioes any one know anything?"
"oh. they look at Bert, 1 suppose" {
i'd astute Miss Cordelis. ''Shall we /
down, dear? 9
They went down and found Mr.. Jor- q
N waiting. There was a white rose
i'd in his coat, and he was rather
bite himself, but a kind Of smolder-
3 IRE was in his eyes. =
Will you show Mike my new or