Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-20
LEMoNFINGERS.

week OF nlgnt duty, alternately. christmas
eve had rolled round, of all nights in the year,
and there / found myself cooped up in the little
office; two great staring instruments in front of
me, faring gaslight overhead, a we'll -heaped
grste by my side; not forgetting three volume
novel to assist me in wiling away the long dark
hours
TIE night messages at Newstone were never
very numerous There were rarely any for pri-
vate people; they referred, mostly, to the busi-
ness Of the railway company. That evening
felt very low-spirited. 1t went against the
grain to work on Christmas eve, when every
body else seeming to be keeping holiday, and
enjoying themselves. Garry and had been
engaged about two years; and for any prospect
of marriage, we might be engaged twenty years
longer. Mr.. Lancaster, Carry's father, was a
tradssman in q good way of business, and ma
turally refused to let his daughter marry n fell
low who was getting only seventy pounds n
year. He several times advised Garry to give
me up. but, as she would not do that, be con-
tented himself with forbidding me the house,
trusting to time and distance, for they lived
several miles from Newstone-to aid his cause
Il knew that MIR. Lancaster always invited a
number OF young people to his house on Christ
mas eve, and pictured them there dancing
Garry fitting about in her white muslin dress,
with the riband round her waist that gave
her only a month before. Would any thought
OF my miserable self ever cross her mind, as she
moved among the gay company? Perhaps my
detestcd rival, Drinks the draper, might be
even dancing with her, and pressing her waist
with his arm at that very moment. Though
not calmly to be borne so away went on the
platform for change of scene.
A clear, starlight night, with keen breeze
that whistled shrill and dry through the tele-
graph wires above my head, and brought TO my
ear the faint sounds, made soft and sweet by
distance, OF the Christmas waits. Lanterns,
fitting like frehiss among the wagons in the
station yard; hoarse uncOuth shouts Of men,
Chrrn nEa .fs sak~o 1koxl
that seemed tearing madly up and down, mere
ly to keep themselves in n glow on such par
hcular to do So into the Office again, with
numbed fingers, glad Of such haven.
The long dark hours sped slowly; when was
reused by the quick tinkle of the electric bell
Aprivate message:
"Mr. korf, lronyilie, to Mr.. Darke 80 High
street, Newstone. starts by the
mail tonight; All Chone. Take care Of the
black dwarf. "
was accustomed to queer messages, but this
was the oldest had seen. 1 spelled it over
twice to see that had got it down correctly;
then copied it out on one of the printed forms;
signed 1t; entered at the foot the time had re-
eeived it-three, forty -fve-and placed it in an
envelope.
Number thirty-nine, High street, was the
residence OF Mr.. Breem the tailor, and was only
hve minutes walk from the station. Mr. Breem
generally had apartments to let, and Mr.. Darke
was probably lodger. Having locked the Of
fce-door. L proceeded at q rapid trot towards
Mr.. Breems. Iconcluded that Mr.. Darke was
Snowman, and that somebody was sending
him dwarf-perhaps q giant also-but GER
tainly dwarf, to put in his caravan. There
was light in the second floor of number thirty
nine Was Mr.. Darke waiting. expectant of
message 1t looked like it.
gave loud knock, and stepped back to
note the effect. The light in the second floor
was not moved, but the window was opened, a
head popped out and gruf voice demanded
Who's thers?'
''Does Mr. Darke live here2''
Why do you want to know?'
I've got a telegraphie message for him.
ugh! All right. Wait a moment
very gruf voice, certainly. Next moment
the door was opened, as far as the chain would
admit, and great muscular hand was thrust
out.
Hand it here said Mr. Darke.
Accordingly 1 placed the note in his hand.
= Wait bit till see whether any answers
required"
In minute or two the window was again
opened, " No answer and the easement was
slammed down. With the exception of his
voice, had no more idea of Mr.. Darke when
left number thirty nine, than had when I
went had merely seen the outline of his
head when he looked out of the window
whether ne was young man or old man, a
falr man or dark man, was equally at a
loss to know.
lronville is thirty-fve miles from Newstone
The mail train runs the distance in rather
under an hour, and reaches the latter place at
hall past i've As the clock pointed to half
past five, set of for a stroll up the platform
determined that if any dwarf or giant or other
strange monster, arrived by the train, it should
not depart unseen by me. l half expected to
see Mr.. Darke waiting for the train; but he yas
not to be seen. True to its time, the train
crawled slowly into the station; and, in another
moment, the platform was flooded with those
strangely attired individuals whose business or
pleasure induces them TO dy by night. No
dwarf, no giant, nor other strange monster.
Only one passenger for Newstone; all the others
booked through, as was evident from their fran
tic struggles TO find their seats the moment the
bell clashed out its warning note. And this
one passenger slim gentleman, stylishly
dressed Young, without whiskers, but with
q long fair moustache, which he was fond OF
striking With his exquisitely gloved thumb and
finger. He alighted jauntiy from a first class
carriage, smiled amiably On the porter, who
touched bis cap, took up his small black port
manteau, gave one hurried anxious glance
round, broke into q smile again staggered
slowly down the platform, and pushing through
the heavy folding doors, emerged into the street.
Some swell from London come to spend Christ
mas with his friends / said to myself. But
where can he be going at this time in the morn
ing None of the inns will be open for above
an hour.
without waiting to consider whether il was
any business Of mine, L pushed through the
folding-doors after the traveller He was walk
ing slowly across the little square in front Of
the station looking from side to side as il not
knowing which road to take. Suddenly a. dark
figure glided out from some projection, and ad-
vanced towards him. L could hear the mur-
mur OF few words. Then, the stranger took
the portmanteau from the travellers hand, and
they went on together at a rapid pace into the
town. All this saw by the light of the sta
tiOn-lsmPs When the two figures got beyond
their influence and passed out of view in the
denser darkness beyond, impelled by a vague
feeling OF curiosity, drew my coat closer round
me, and set of after them at q stealthy pace,
taking the darker side Of the square as went.
i had not far to follow. They passed In to High
street, and stood opposite number thrty-nine
A moment more and they were both inside the
house, and the door was shut; another moment
and saw the light shining from Mr.. Darke's