The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-06-05


But Maggie, sitting there on the front seat
with beating heart, and eyes that could see
nothing In The thick darkness OF the close
carriage. thought it very strange that Gail
did not receive her with something like a
lovers welcome.
Il suppose be dares not until we are safe
out of cal and hearing" she thought, and
nestled back on the seat, shyer than ever
The wheels OF this equ;paee had scarcely
vanished down the turnpike road when an-
other close carriage drove slowly and softly
into the lane. close under the boughs oil TIE
nodding lilac hedge, and Mr.. Cad FaiIlie
snrano out, and noiselessly oper ed the wick
ct cate. IN the gloom of the strawberries he
could just discern figure wrapped in black
cloak. waiting ose by the gate.
fare you ieady? he whispered.
"Yes."
Come then, quickly-therc is not an in
slant to lose"
Cupid defend us! what creaking the car
riage step made as the mantled figure enter
ed i'll Truly, Vaoity might be light, thought
the astoundeded Gail, but L0Ue was not
'.Drive On, coac man." said he, in low
voice; and once more The soft grass buried
all obnoxious sound as the coachman whip
ped up his horses. No sooner were they well
out OF the lane, into the bigh-road, than Mr..
Carl, abandoning the solitude OF the back
seat, promptly changed to the other SIDE.
10 his surprise he found considerable dill
Guilty, as bis companion occupied full two
thirds Of the seat, ana showed no intention
of making way. He gently put out his hand
and secured the palm OF his companion. BY
ali the probabilities! if that was Maggie's
hand, it had swelled ieartully OF late. He
dropped it again with bewlldered feeling.
as il be were under the spell OF some maIc-
ious encnanter's wand.
maggie" he said in low, tremuous voice,
Maggie, my love-"
"Wnat the mischief are you talking about ?"
growled hoarse voice-the awful voice of
Squire Benner's self. s1here's no Maggie
here! Who are you, and what do you mean
by making such 100, OF YOURSELF"
The truth flashed in unwelcome distinct
ness on CARTS mind; he had taken in the
wrong passenger! He pulled the strap vehe-
mently.
"Driverp he called, "stop! There's some
mistaken
'Drverv' roared Squire Bonner, "go
straight on to The Oaks on the Hartford
road, or Ill break every bone in your body p
The driver, wiser in his generation than
Mr.. Fairlie, obeyed the bigger voice OF the
Two, and made straight for the dilapidated
old country place Squire Benner had men
so you thought was Maggie, eh % said
the Squire, shaking with suppressed laughter;
"and thought you were Betsey Higgins. old
Martin skn-and- bone housekeeper. Well. it
would appear like a misunderstanding all
round"
Carl did not answer; his vexation and NOR
tifcatiou were too acute to admit OF any es-
Cape valve through speech. To be thwarte,,
and E0aol And SO they drove on in silence.
"See here. Young man. said the SQUIRE.
rousing up as they approached the dimly-
lighted windows OF "T'he Oaks" 81 am 90
ing to confidc in you. MY errand here is one
of the strictest secrecy. Did the nephews
and neices of old Martin know that he in-
tended, on his dying bed, to alter his will.
they would be down on him like brood of
harpies. His housekeeper has been twice to
see me about the appointment for tonight.
and believe no one stisnects her errand ar
even whom she was. Can trnst Won p,
"You CAM said Carl. sullenv
What was old Martin.or his will 10 the dis
anoi,,ted hover who had been cheated ont of.
Mapgie?
Gn tbe door-sten Of aTbe Oaks', stood tbe
tall snectraI bonsexeer awa;tino tho LAWYER
She Turned and went in with him Of once
Carl aIlghted also. and began to mace I'm and
down in front of the wide-open door. mental
" crashing his teeth. and WONDERING how he
could ever have mistaken Squire Benner's
moth-eaten old cloak for Marqie's tar dra-
peries.
Suddenly shadow obscured the doorway.
A Iioht hand fell on his arm
aUh. CARL Carlw
Maggie, how came YOU here pn
81 got into the wrong ca. rage. Carl-one
sent Nv M. Martin Tor nv tatl,er-and new
er dlscos cred nv mistake until was almost
at the DOR: and-aud the borrid cross old