The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-02-13

just before :hey get there, the train
nearly stopsIl tell you the right place
to jump out, and I've got key. II this
ether party can manage 1t, ho better
be scarce, too, l think. There
will be II row when they open the doors
at Downly."
But what will you do2" asked my
fellow. traveller.
why, you don't suppose should
pe such fool us to stay in after you
got out, replied the clerk, with laugh,
Nobody knows I'm on the tram, and
It's we'll worth my walking four miles
if / can earn i've by doing IT,"
"Now, sir" said the stranger turn
ing to mo, "it ls not fair for me to in
vOlve you in this trouble"
Don: mention IT," SAID. 1t was
stupid thing to say, but perhaps the
champagne had something to do with
IT,
"But mention it," returned my fell
low passenger. "The fact is that it IS
dangerous for you to remain here. If
the carriage arrives with no one but
you IN it, the officers will certainly
mistake you for me. Two days, at
least, will be required to establish your
identity, during which you will be
kept closely confined.
This was an alarming prospect IN
deed. Two days confinement, not to
speak of the annoyance and disgrace,
would have been ruin to me. l had
business the following day of vital
importance, which could not possibly
be postponed, and my compaion's an
ticipat!ons seemed only probable. 81
hope" i said hesitatingly, II hopo you
have not been engaged il any trans
action of a questionable nature.
"Oh, as to that" returned my com
panion, II will tell you frankly the
whole truth about this painful case
You are gentleman, and man of
honor, and will not betray me. lam q
officer IN the army: cannot now en-
ter into the particulars, but my lieut.
enat. colonel was scoundrel, william
of the deepest dye. challenged HIM
Il horse whipped him the coward
bore his disgrace. But his tune came.
He brought most uniounded charges
against me, which, were certain officers
in England, l could rebut. In their
absence may be ruined. sent off two
expresses to Canada und Bengal, yes
terday, but until they return must
conceal myself. But weary you.
"Far from it," exclaimed. "Pray
go on"
II have little m ore TO say" he re-
sumed. You know why fly. 1 will
tell you lam. My name is Lionel
Gerald de Mortimor-have you an
Army List about you ?"
mechanically clapped my hands
upon my waist coat pockets, as il to
be quite certain on the matter, and
regrettlngly said, No, l havo not
Its of little consequence, resumed
the officer. i should merely have
merely have shown you that the Hon.
orable Lionel Gerald de Mortimer
name is in no plebeiGn corps. Ny fa.
ther the barons name is of course fa-
miliar with you
murmured that it was, and Samuel,
the telcgraphic clerk, also murmurod
that it was familiar to him.
May l confde in you P sold the fug
tive.
You cam exclaimed. You can,
echoed Samuel, the telegraphic clerk,
and then we all shook hands. The
officer stepped to his valise again, and
the clerk hurriedly whispered
Il say we arc all right
He wInked and struck tho eide of
his nose with his finger, ana mechan.
icalIy initiated his gesture. The train
was Stacking speed now, but the Cap
tain-for sach had / decided his rank
produced another bottle, this time
of brandy, and we all three quaffed to
his escaped-Samuel, the telegraph
clerk, drinking, it seemed to me, raLh.
er more than his share. 'Adiou my
preserver, exclaimed the office, as the
clerk rose and carefully unlocked the
door.
Fling out your bag said the youth
Now jump the way the train is gong.
We did SO, and although a good deR
shaken, no harm was done, aud NC
saw the angry lights at the rear car.
rage disappear with quickening speed
round curve.
Well, I'm off, exclaimed the clerk
good luck to you, Captain, and he
vanished in the darkness,
Now where on earth are wc to go
to I? said my friend Il only thought
of coming TO Downly because it was,
supposed, quiet, retired place but
[ don't know the neighborhood.'
Il do. | said, follow me-. He fol-
lowed me accordingingly, and 1 told
HIM that would take HIM the little
inn at which l usally lodged, and
where l could obtain a bed for him, -
The latter offer he declined. He said
no would just wash and have some
bread and cheese, and then walk a
cross tho country to town he named
some few miles off. l ofcourse, allow
ed him to decide on his own move
ments without comment, and in few
minutes we arrived at tho Inn, which
/ III - sF NJ. l.