The sun., 1908-08-16
III

At II O'Clock a representative company
of the guests proceeded to the ninth door
Of the east ell, where Angel had his suite.
Though silence had been enjoined. 1t was
hardly TO be expected that some inoautious
Rieele would not penetrate the transom
from which the blue tobacco smoke was
wreathing.
When in response to peculiar rap. rap.
rap from Gussie the door Of the anteroofh
was opened by the startled Bilhkins and
the uninvited guests fled into the parior
with certain Noah's Ark solemnity. though
there was q cordial shout from the men
half rising from O card table. seemed 10
detect signs OF hasty preparation In the
circuit which Angel must have just made.
$50 glad to see you.' he assured one and
all az he hustled forward We were just
having q friendly gane--for love. you
know And he shot killing glance ct
Evelina as he brought out refreshments
from unexpected places with Q deftness
which was also suspicious.
sDon't leave me with that man, Mr..
SnifYen,' she ordered. Il must say word
privately to the poor Emir.'
The inference that should leave her
with the poor Emir was plain enough. yet
I managed to Hnger within sight and sound
when he came up.
you have broken your word. she began
severely; II can see 1t in your faos.' And
indeed there was washed out yelowpess
to the nobleman's complexion which had
an international significance Of Distress.
what would you, oh. lady most dear2'
he pleaded. -Must not defend the honor
Of my country when It IL chanengedf'
sThe honor Of your oountryf Did your
splendid ancestors also use grand words
to hide unworthy deedsi Where. then. is
the ring that symbolzes their greatness,
the ring you vowed was more precious than
life to your
at In pledged he whispered. 'for sum
not now at hand. but
Don't say but luck may change" in
terrupted this remarkable young woman
almost violently. Il can't imagine how
your subjects ever let you leave without
sBecause they hoped 1 would bring one
back With me. adorable lady, a guardian
And then the responsive whispers, back
and forth. became 90 low that even could
The rest of the company was less agree
Ably occupied. have always thought
ul6b JQ6 buUo64u0ut uuiuCro dliu NoSuisy
was the strongest element Of surprise in a
surprise party, and this one was proving
no exception to the rule.
Angels profuse hospitality had not
suffioed to hide his embarrassment. AL
ready the mods for departure were passing
Gussie rushed up to me, fairly chattering
with suppressed excitement.
aYou old Sniffen you,' he said; ego into
that antsroom, open the door and let them
I'M ana mo 0Rs sh to Sysse by
chagrin for his idle words compiled.
Surprising sounds penetrated from the
hallway through the open transom, and
before could swing apart the door 1t was
dashed violently against me.
mind forms undreamed Of combinations
like a jolted kaleidoscope. In fash I
knew what Gussie Aurum had meant by
his el1sh prediction Of another surprise
Not only had he debauched the nurses
and personal attendants into neglect OF
duty, but through reasons which their sew
eral actions alone could indicate he had in
duced the associated shorts Of the Taw..
drey House to mix INTO an invasion OF
by the strange. collective influences. olamor-
ing at his gates like weird army from an
Forced to the wall. looked through the
passageway into the parlor. Ferd Angel.
never more suave, Rhable and self satisfied.
stood In the centre Of the floor speeding the
parting guest with one hand. while with the
other behind his back he was motoning TO
his associates to abide for another little
Upon him then pounced old Mrs. Nevius.
leading the van with a hop. skip and jump
incredible outside Of nightmare.
Il want some cake" she walled.
And after her poured the twitohing and
ejaculatory throng, swarming into every
nook and granny and completely blocking
escape.
~.
A babel Of screams, laughs. oaths and in
articulate sounds, q confusion Of soowls.
grins and glsnces, amused or terrified. q
press and push and fervent heat in which
even oemposure loses its poise-
From q chair in the corner I scanned the
whirlpool Of faoes out Of which three were
conspicuous-Angell's. as he savagely bit
his stubby mustache; Gussies. as his brows
and chin almost met in oonvulsion Of mirth,
and Evelina's, as with finger to lips she
beamed hope upon the Emir.
Away, womani' thundered Angel. with
q thrust Of his elbow sending poor Mrs.
Nevius of on tangent eccentric even for
her. what does this outrageous intrusion
mean9 What right have any OF you here''
do you dare say can't hearf' bristled
the truculent Truckson.
,nk,