Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-11

making lnelT way past '"o ''N
riages
Looking out upon his fellow travellers
without much curiosity or interest. Mr
FERGUSON caught sight OF face he little
expected to see. Shouting to a porter
TO open the door of his compartment, he
sprang out and grasped the arm oil
man very like himsell-in fact his own
elder brother.
George" he exclaimed. were you
going for me? Il father worse ?
"What on earth do you mean. and
wherever did you spring from ?" was
his answer.
"Oh, George. did you not telegraph
me this evening. that my father had just
had another Ill p
Most certainly did not"
"Oh. my vile. my wile!" said the
clergyman and then he staggered up TO
a heap OF luggage and sat down and hid
his lace in his hands. His brother saw
the matter was serious; SO he let his
train pass on without resuming his Jour-
uey. and was soon in possession oi all
the Information John Ferguson could
give.
Porter he asked. what time does The
night mai 90 through tU Whcelborough!'
"At l.25, sir.n answered the man,
reaches Wheelborough at , l5."
The distance was live and twenty
miles; the present time quarter. or, by
the time The explanation was ended. hall
past eleven.
mo help Tor il John; we must wait
for the down train; we couldn't pick up
horse, nor yet pair lha, would be
ready to start this time oil night and get
20 marlborough before quarter past
two. Come, old fellow. cheer mp; It's
no use taking Tor granted rythinS you
dreadm
Bat George FERGUSON thought in his
own mind that matters looked dark
emo lgh 10 Justify any amount OF fears,
and had hard work to find hopeful talk
for the next two hours. lie tried family
matters anything 10 pass away The time
in vain; his brolher's mind was over
lowing with anxiety-his eyes peering
up the line to catch the first glimpse oil
The approaching train.
At lsst the shrill whistle. the glaring
lights creeping nearer and nearer; the
minutes stoppage, and then of again
homewards and he began to dread the
moment he longed for.
At marlborough the two brothers
struck out al once from the station on
their five mile walk. and as they left the
further outskirts OF the town. the church
ehimed hall past two O. clock.
George Ferguson could barely keep
up with his brothers, rapid stride. and
thought him half crazy with excitement
when he saw him lightly leap ditch.
and start running across apiece OF bIoS'
en- earth.
George" said the rector. pointing TO
his own house. not a stones throw dis
tant, look a, that light" And through
tong narrow window Of the ora'ory
light shone plainly.
Good God, il we're too late :"
The brothers scarcely knew how they
covered the remaining distance. A blow
at the hall window. and their force at the
shutters within and they made good their
entrance to see-Kate Ferguson lying
senseless on The floor; TO hear the wall
ing and crying of children overhead |;
and strange sound Of low whisperings
and hands cutting away at wood work.
Late, indeed they were. but not too
late. An out. door bell. set changing,
soon called ready help from the village
whilo Jane. already reused by The sounds
but too frightened 10 venture from her
room alone, busted herself over her un'
conscious mistress.
The cap,iyes in the oratory fought like
cats, and one oil them gave George
Ferguson bite in the arm, the mark oil
which he will carry rs long as he lives
that was "Rough Dick" Gentleman
Jim" turned sullen, and submitted to the
force Of numbers at last with 4 better
grace.
When on their trial. two months later
Gentleman Jim" paid Mrs. FERGUSON
several compliments, and assured the
Judge before whom they were tried, that
he esteemed it no disgrace Ito have
been trapped by such brick ola woman'
The gang to which the thieves belong
ed had received oil their information
from Sarah's brother, who was sort oil
hanger on to their brotherhood. and to
whom had been intrusted the sending oi
the lying kilograms which had so COM
iortably disposed of the master.
"All's wellr they say "lhatends well ;
and our tale is no exception to the pro
verb. 1t was rather long getting well,
though, in the case oil Mrs. Ferguson
still she was her own brave hearted sell
again by Christmas time; and take uote
of this, allwives-never did she show
her husband the letter she had found
never did she tell him, or any one else,
that his bit of carelessness had probably
SUPPLIED the correct time" Is the intrud-