Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 161, 18 April 1909 — Page 6

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AIT a mounent, Peter," Miss Ethel

W called from the veranda as he was starting far the village with the daily marketing list. "I want you to drive around by Red Towers on your way homeland leave this note for Mrs. Booth-Higby." "Very well, Miss Ethel." Peter reined in Trlxy and received the note with a polite pull at his hat brim. "And, Peter, you might use a little discretion. I don't want her to know " "You trust me, Miss Ethel. 111 fix it." Her eyes met his for a second and she laughed. Peter's face also relaxed Its official gravity as he pocketed the note and started off. He knew all about the matter. Miss Ethel and her mother having discussed It through the length of a seven-mile drive, while he kept his eyes on the road In front, but listened assiduously. The note was an invitation to a garden party with the Daughters of the Revolution as guests of honor and private theatricals as entertainment, the star performer to be a young Irish; earl who was visiting Mr. Harry Jasper next door. The two households formed an exclusive party among themselves, and as yet no one else In the neighborhood had met the distinguished foreigner. Miss Ethel was reserving him for a spectacular debut on the evening of the garden party. The question so thoroughly -discussed on the drive had been whether or not Mrs. Booth-Higby should be included. Mrs. Carter had said firmly that since she was a member of the society, not to Invite her would be too open a slight. Miss Ethel had replied that the party, was purely a social affair; she could Invite whom she pleased, and she , had added some pointed details; the woman's .maiden name, as everyone knew, was Maggie Mo Garrah, and her father, . previous to his political career, had kept a saloon; she .was odious, Rushing, nouveau riche,. she dyed her, hair and penciled her eyebrows; she didn't have a thought In the world beyond clothes, and she flirted outrageously with every man who came near. Peter's smile had broadened at this - last item. It was, he ' shrewdly, suspected, the keynote of the trouble. Miss Ethel had caught Mr. Harry Jasper paying too much attention to the lady in question. The contest had awakened Peter's sporting instincts; he felt that when Mrs. Carter and her daughter matched wills the result was even betting. Accordingly, upon delivering the invitation, he had noted with interest that there was none for Mrs. Booth-Higby: and now his interest was doubly keen at receiving it three days late. Miss -Ethel had been vanquished after all. He turned in between the ornate, gates of Red! Towers the two posts surmounted by lions upholding a mythical coat of arms and drew up in the shadow of an Imposing porte-cochere. A gay group of ladies and gentlemen were gathered in lounging chairs engaged with frosted glasses of mint julep, and Mrs. Booth-Higby herself rose and sauntered toward him amidst a voluminous rustle of draperies. ' "Whose man are you?" she inquired with an air of languid condescension. Peter's face reddened slightly.- The entire group - had ceased their conversation to stare. "Mr. Jerome Carter's," he replied, fumbling for the note. - ,. ' ' t. '" - ' Her eyebrows lifted slightly It was evident " ' that she knew about the garden party and had entertained emotions over the absence of her , own Invitation. - ' - ' .t - ' "It should have come three days ago," Peter glibly lied, "Miss Carter, she give me a lot to deliver, an' this one slipped down the crack between the cushions an' got overlooked. We come across it this mornin' when we was washin' the buckboard. so I stopped on me way home from the marketin. I hope that it ain't important an that ye won't feel called upon to tell Miss Carter.' It would get me Into trouble, ma'am." Her anger had evidently been excessive and she worked it .- off now in a reprimand which Peter meekly swallowed, but with a : cordial assent ' to Miss Ethel's description of her character. She ended by bidding him wait for an answer. "An'' she's a daughter o Tim McGarrah!" he repeated to himself. "She's ashamed of him now ' an' won't let on she ever heard the name, but the old man was ten times more a gentleman than she is a lady for all his saloon." When she returned twenty minutes later her air was more lenient. "There are to be theatricals?" she inquired in a note of forgiveness. "I believe so, ma'am." "Is Lord Klscadden to take part?" ' "Can't say, ma'am." As scene shifter, Peter had had ample opportunity to - study Lord Kiscadden's interpretation of the character of George Washington his lordship with a fine sense of humor had himself selected the role but at mention of the name, Peter's face was blank. "Is he to remain much longer at Jasper Place?" he persisted. "Haven't heard him say, ma'am." She abandoned her pursuit of news, handed him the note, and graciously added ten cents. Peter touched his hat gravely, murmured "Thank ye, ma'am," and drove away. At the foot of the lawn the- Booth-Higby peacock a decoration for the Italian garden, but given to wandering out of bounds trailed its plumage across the drive. Peter shied his ten cents at the bird's head, with the muttered wish that the coin had been large enough really to accomplish damage. On the day of the garden party Peter worked hard. He superintended the raising of a supper tent on the lawn, strung colored electric bulbs among the branches of the trees, saw the furniture moved out of the drawing room and three hundred camp chairs moved in. He spent the afternoon shifting scenery for the dress rehearsal; but finally, close upon six, he shoved Plymouth Rock into place i for. the first tableau, and with a sigh of relief turned toward the kitchen. He felt that he had ' earned a fifteen minutes' chat with the new parlos maid. ' ' ' But fresh trouble awaited him. ' He found Mrs. " Carter and the cook in anxious consultation. The. ice cream had not come: and the expressman, who had already met three trains, said that he could not deliver it now until morning; Mrs. Carter pounced upon Peter. "Is Miss Ethel through with you? Then drive to the station immediately and meet the six-twenty train. If it isn't on that, stop at Gunther's and tell them they will have to make me nine gallons of ice cream before ten o'clock tonight. It's disgraceful! is I v shall ' never engage Perry to cater again. And tell the - expressman that I consider him, very disobliging." she threw after him. An hour and a half later he dumped three kegs of ico and brine on the back veranda, and was turning away cheered by the hope of his long postponed 1 supper, when Annie : hailed him from the kitchen window. : '-- - irV?1: - "Hey, Pete! i Wait , a minute! Miss Ethel said as soon as you got back for me to send you into the 'library." v "What are they wantin now?" ho growled. "I'll lx glad when that bloomln' young lord takes himself home to Ireland where he b 'longs. Between picnics rt ridin. parties an clambakes an theat- , ricals. I ain't had a chance to sit down since he come." . : Annie shoved a chair toward him. "Thca sin - down now, for he's gone! A telegram conic .callin' him away, an Mr. Harry's just back from motoring - him-to the station." v " "Praise be to the saints!" said Peter as he turned toward the library door. He found Miss Ethel and Mr. Harry Jasper pensively regarding the huge ' gauze screen that stretched across the front of the - stage.

"Here he is!" cried Miss Ethel with a fresh assumption of energy. "Put on this hat and wig. Peter, and go back of the stage and stand. I want to see what you look like." Peter apathetically complied. He had received o many extraordinary commands during the past few days that nothing stirred his curiosity... - "Bully!" said Mr. Harry. , "Never'd know him in the world." "We'll lower the lights." said Miss Ethel. "Fortunately the gauze is thick." ; "Peter" (Mr. Harry faced him with an air . of tragic portent), "a grave calamity has befallen the state. The rightful heir has disappeared and it's , imperative that we find a substitute. I've often remarked what a striking resemblance there is between you and Lord Klscadden. In that lies our only hope. It's a situation that often occurs in novels. Do you think it might be carried out in real life?" "Can't say. sir." Peter blinked dazedly. "Be sensible. Harry!" Miss Ethel silenced him. "Peter, Lord Klscadden has been called away and it spoils our tableaux, for this evening. Fortunately, he didn't have a speaking part. You've watched him rehearse do you think you could take his place?" "I don't believe so, ma'am." Peter's tone was not enthusiastic. "You'll have to do it!" Miss Ethel's tone was firm. "It's too late now to find anyone else." "You're George Washington," Mr. Harry cut in. "Father of his country. Only man on earth who never told a lie. No one will recognize you in that part, Peter." "Here are the clothes." Miss Ethel bundled them into his arms. "You saw Lord Klscadden this af-

AS HE REACHED ternoon, so you know how they go. Be sure you get your wig on straight and powder your face thick! It's half-past seven. You will have to - dress immediately." "I ain't had no supper," Peter stolidly observed. - "Annie will give you something to eat in the kitchen. . We won't tell anybody except the few who are with you in the tableaux. The people in the operetta have never seen Lord.Kiscadden and .won't know the difference. The moment the tab-"" - leaux are over you can disappear, and we will explain that you have been suddenly called away." A slow grin spead over Peter's face. "Are ye wantin' me to talk like him?" His lordship's idiom had been the subject of much covert amusement among the servants, and Peter could .mimic it to perfection. . "I don't ask that," Miss Ethel laughed; "but at least keep still. You can oretend that you are sny." "What did she want, Pete?" Annie inquired with eager curiosity as he reappeared. " ' . "Don't talk to me so familiar. I'm Lord Kiscad-" den o County Cark. Me family Is straight descinded from the kings of Ireland,' and I'm masqueradin as George Washington, who never told a lie. An hour later Peter, In knee breeches and lace ruffles, wtih hat comfortably cocked toward the left ear, was sitting at ease on a corner of the kitchen table, dangling two buckled shoes Into . space, while a cigarette emerged at an acute angle

0 from the corner of his mouth. His appearance suggested a very rakish caricature of the immortal first President. The maids were1 gathered in-a -giggling group about the' young man, when Miss Ethel and Mr. Harry, also in costume; appeared in the kitchen door. . The effect on, George .Washington was electrical; he removed his cigarette, slid to the floor, straightened his spinal column and awaited -orders.--v, . ' Mr. Harry carried a make-up box under his arm. He covered the groom's face with a layer of powder, redirected the curve of his eyebrows, added a touch of rouge and stepped back to view the effect. "Perfect!" cried Miss Ethel. "No one one earth would recognize him." "Peter," Mr. Harry gravely schooled him, "these are your lines for the evening. Say them after me:. 'By Jove! Ripping! Oh, I say! Fancy now! " - - -, ; ' Peter unsmillngly repeated his lesson. THE VERANDA DOOR HE RAX FACE TO FACE INTO "And no matter what anybody says to you, you are not to go beyond that understand?" "Yes, sir. I'll do me best, sir." There was an anxious gleam in Peter's eye. He was suddenly being assailed by c twinge of stage fright. "You appear first in the tableau where you say good-bye to your family before taking command of the army," Miss Ethel explained. "The moment it's over, slip out to change your costume, and stay out until after the Declaration of Independence has been signed. Don't stand around the wings where people can talk to you. Now go and wait in tho butler's pantry until you are called." Washington took an affecting leave of his family amidst an interested rustling of programmes. The applause was enthusiastic and the curtain was twice raised. As it fell for the last time a group of historical personages from the operetta cast hovered abont him with congratulatory whispers. . Mr. Harry, as stage manager, waved tbem off. "Clear the boards for the next scene," he whispered hoarsely. "Here, Klscadden, you'll have to hurry and dress. You cross the Delaware In ten minutes." With a hand on George Washington's shoulder he marked Mm off. "That was splendid, reter," he whispered as he shunted him into the bu tier's pantry. Not a soul suspected. You stay nere unui you are wanted r:sThe Delaware was crossed without mishap: also the night watch kept at Valley Forge. Washington and Lafayyette crouched over their camp fire

amidst-driving snow, while the audience shivered' in sympathy. . But unluckily these tableaux were

followed by no change of costume, and several others intervened before Peter's next appearance. As he was anxiously- trying to obliterate himself in the shadow of a log cabin, he heard some one behind him whisper: . . , ' "Let's cut out and have a smoke. . ' It's deucedly ; hot back here."- , . He turned to find Miles Standish. of the operetta cast, with an insistent hand on his elbow. Miles Standish in private life was a young man whose horse Peter had held many a time, and whose tips were always generous. ... There seemed to be no polite means, of escape.. and Peter, with a suppressed grin. followed his companion. to the veranda. It was lighted by a subdued glow from colored lanterns, but- there was ' an occasional patch of dimness. He picked out a comfortable . chair : and shoved it well into . the shadow of a convenient palm. Standish produced cigars twenty-five-cent- Havanas JPeter. noted appreciatively and : the two fell into conversation. Fortunately, the young man aspired to the reputation of a raconteur, and he willingly bore most of the burden. Peter kept his own speeches as short as possible, manfully overcoming a tendency to end his sentences with "sir." An occasional interpola- " tion of "By Jove!" or "I say!" in imitation of Lord Kiscad den's lazy drawl; was as far as he was required to go, and he came out of the encounter -.with colors still flying. "MBS. BOOTH-HIGBT. . His part of the entertainment enued with the surrender of Cornwallis, and as the curtain fell Miss Ethel whispered in his ear: "You may go now, Peter. - You've done very nicely. Slip out through the butler's pantry where none will see you. Change into your own clothes and help them in the kitchen about serving supper and don't on any account step into the front part of the house again tonight." "Yes. ma'am," said Peter meekly. Finding the entrance' to the butler's pantry blocked, be dived into the empty conservatory, intending to pass thence to the veranda, and so get around to the kitchen the outside way. But as he reached the veranda door he ran face to face Into Mrs. Booth-Higby. Peter quickly backed into a fern-hung nook to let her pass. The light was dim. but his costume was distinctive. ' After a moment of hesitating scrutiny she bore down upon him. "Oh. It's George Washington! Lord Klscadden. I should say. I see by the programme that your part is finished. It was so frightfully warm inside that I slipped out to get a breath of air. May I introduce myself? I am Mrs. Booth-Higby of Red Towers. I trust that you will dron in ofen while - you are in the neighborhood. I nave so wanted " to have a chance to talk to yon because yon come from Ireland dear old Ireland! I am Irish' mvself on the side that Isn't Colonial, and I have a warm spot In my heart for everything green.

Peter suppressed tha cr.lt o.c. . ,.j rnrrfd in him ini) tho l.lv rottlo.1 n that My Irish connection Is three generations back- . a younger son, you know, who came to make h way in a new land and having married into or of the old Colonial families, settled for good. Bi once Irish, always Irish. I say. My heart warn to the little ragamuffins in the street if they ha . a bit of the brogue. It's the call of the blood, i suppose. Shall we sit here? Or perhaps ya have an engagement don't let me keep yon i He summoned what wits were left and confused, murmured: "Oh. I say! Ripping!" r They settled themselves on a rustic bench, an Peter, possessing himself of her fan. slowly wav it to and fro In the nonchalant manner of M; Harry. Mrs. Booth-Higby fortunately was no lei : garrulous than Miles Standish had been, and at, chattered along, barely pausing for her companion English -interpolations. ' Peter's feelings were divided. He had tl amused consciousness that he was being flirted wit by the. lady who three days before had so cond scendingly given him ten cents. And he also he a chilly apprehension of the storm that' wou arise if by any mischance she discovered the hoa But his fighting blood was up and he was excite by past success. After all. he reassured nimsel this was not his funeral; Miss Ethel and Mr. Han must bear the blame, and he determined to .extra what entertainment there might be in the situatlo The curtain finally fell on the last act of the o ' eretta, and a shuffling of feet and moving of chal betokened that a general exodus would ; folioPeter came back to a realization of his pred learner While his confidence had been rising during tl past half hour, he still doubted his ability to de with the audience en masse. But happily, the first to appear in the conserv tory were Miss Ethel and Mr. Harry, engaged e tirely with their own affairs, all thought' of tl pseudo-Kiscadden put from their minds. 4 th became aware of the couple on the rustle ben they stopped short with a gasp of surprise ' "Why. Pet " Miss Ethel caught herself ai summoning a cordial tone added quickly: - "Lo Klscadden! A telegram came a long time a Didn't the boy find you?" "Oh. I say, fancy now!" George Washlngt jumped hastily to his feet. "Pleased to know .ma'am,"" lie added with, a farewell duck of h head;-and without waiting for further words. vaulted the veranda railing and disappeared arouf the corner of the house. He lingered a taomel In the shrubbery to hear her say: j "Lord Klscadden and I have been having smch Interesting evening! .- What a delicious aoeent . has! You -must bring him to Red .Towers, a Jasper. I feel that he really belongs to me mot than to you; we have discovered that we ire d tant connections." . .1 Peter put his hand over hie mouth to stifle n feelings and reeled toward tbe kitchen poreh. An hour later, when supper was finished. If Ethel and Mr. Harry slipped away from the gues and tamed toward the kitchen. They posed ' moment In the butler's pantry, arrested by t' sound of Peter's voice as he discoursed In his rlc est brogue to an appreciative group of maids. K theme was the Daughters of the Revolution -lt w evident that he had kept his ears open during; t oner introduction to society. "He father was a Malone an me mother was Haggerty. all me ancestors on both sides- bet first-cabin passengers on the Mayflower. Wei straight, declnded tiom Gov'nor Bradford, an : fifth great-grandfather was the first man hnnathe United States. I'm eligible on both sides si me mother was a charter member. Yes, ; 'tis great society! The object of it Is to keep t country dlmocraUc." They pushed open the door and entered. - ,Pet restored to his own clothes, was seated before t table engaged between sentences with a soup pis! full of Ice cream. He shuffled hastily to his fd .as Miss Ethel and Mr. Harry appeared and with) somewhat guilty air studied their faces. He wl trying to remember what he had said last. " "Peter." said Miss Ethel In a voice that w meant to be severe, "what have you heen telll Mrs. Booth-Higby?" . Peter shifted his weight anxiously from one fd . to the other. "Nothin. ma'am." i "Nothing nonsense I - She Is going about lelll everybody that she is Lord Klscadden's cousin. 8 never made op any such impossible story as tnj without neip." Miss Ethel's tone was sternly reproving, bi reier caugni a gieam or malicious amusement ner eye. 11 occurred to mm that she was fl averse to an exhibition of Mrs. Booth-Higby fo before Mr. Harry Jasper. "It honest wasn't my fault. Miss Ethel. I cauldi get out oy tne Doners pantry like you told nj so I started around tbe back way. bat just as reaches tne veranda door I runs plumb into II Booth-Higby. jj " 'Oh. me dear Lord Klscadden! she says. must tell yon bow I've enjoyed yer actin. - Twi great! she says, 'you was the best person1 la whole show.' An wid that she puts a hand on i arm an never lets go for an nour and a quarter yon know. Mr. Harry, how graspln' she is." . Peter appealed to him as one man to another.' "She begun with askin' about me estate, In li land. 'Bein only eighteen months old when I 1 It. I couldn't remember many details, but I as me imagination an' done the best I could. I tc her there was two lions sittln on the gasepoi holdln me coat of arms In their paws; I tojd B there was two towers to the castle and a peaco trolling on the lawn; an' then, not wlabln' to set: boastful, 'tis a beautiful boose. I says, bat ft all so grand as some. The biggest place in the neig borhood Is Castle McGarrah the name just popp Into me head.. Miss Ethel. -. " 'McGarrah!' she says, that Is me own name! "The dlwil! thinks I. 'I've put me foot In now. but 'twas too late to go back. 'Possibly t same family, says I politely. The present own Sir Timothy McGarrah ' i " 'Timothy!' she says, 'that was me father's mu an me grandfather's before him.' t " There's always one son in every gineratU that carries it, says I. ...-....- j " 'Can It be possible? she murmurs to herself.! 'Me own grandmother was a sister of the secoi Sir Timothy,' I says, 'him as quarreled with t youngest son an' drove him to America fifty yea ago.' : "An then she says solemn like. The b'y was n grandfather! I see it alL He was a silent tnt an' he never talked of his people; bat I alwai felt there was a secret a-preyin on his mind. . Ju that makes us cousins,' she says: 'I most Insfj that ye make Red Towers yer home while ye sti in America. - "An just as I. was -tell in' her that 'twould be pleasure, bnt I was engaged for all of me tim yon an' Mr. Harry come walking into the conserv tory. and I made me escape." - Miss Ethel dropped limply Into a chair. "Peter," she gasped, "what possessed yon 1 tell any such oatrageoos story as that?" "Twas the clothes that done It. Miss. Bel: dressed as George Washington, I couldn't thini o nothing true that was fit to say.' "I don't see bat what I shall have to dischargf . yon. I shall never dare let yon drive past Ret Towers again.' "There's nothin' to fear, said Peter tranqnnli "She won't recognize me, ma'am. Mrs. Bootl Highy's eyes aint focused to see a groom."

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