Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-28
NO. 23O
Gales and Sketehes.
A NIGHT INVASION.
Continued from Yesterday

anu new TO let her In. She arrived in
utter bewilderment, having seen strange
men and lights about the stables; nor did
she approve of our desperate act OF hos
pltality. You ought not to have let any
one come in, young ladies. with me anu
Your mamma away So ran the burden
OF her rebuke.
cannot do justice 10 IIelen's presence
OF mind; it filled me with admiration and
humility. She seemed to think of, and do
all that was needed by the lady. She lay
quite still now. under Heen's soothing
minlstratioas, whether sleeping or not l
could not judge. She was past her first
youth; her face which was handsome, was
much worn by fatigue, sorrow or illness;
possibly all three. Presently the stranger
rose from his post of observation, and
beckoned us to where the light stood on
distant table. He had very fine head,
with large features and remarkably clear
eye. Although he was slightly bald and
his hair quite gray, he was evidently only
in middle life.
''She is asleep now" he said. IL trust
she will be able to travel by the time the
carriage is ready"
''She is most welcome to stay here as
long as is necessary for her," said Helen,
with the promptitude that had quite desert
ed me. Il am only sorry that my mother
Mrs. Murray, is away"
THANK you, thank you," he said,
warmly. 1--WE owe you the deepest graf
itude Tor all your kindness and help.
can but assure you of our gratitude now,
and have but my bare word to give that
we are at least respectable inmates at your
house, which l am quite ashamed of in
vading in this unheard-of way. My name
is Hudson-Dr. Hudson, of Orome, where
practice. being doctor by profession.
This lady, my sister, has recently been
left widow under distressing circum-
stances, in France, and we are on our way
back from thence, travelling by slow stages
to suit her state of health. The gentle
man is Nj. Adolphe. her brother-in-law,
who will, | know, add his own thanks to
mine for your kindness to US and our poor
invalid"
1t was impossible to resist the earnest
manner in which he spoke, and it served
to reassure us. But this did not quite pre-
pare me for the next turn of the wheel of
fate. The blacksmith, found and called
in by the coachman. had examined the
carriage, and found the repairs could not
be conducted till next day.
''Pray do not be annoyed, DR.. Hudson"
said Helen, valiantly, for he was looking
very much so. Surely, in any case, this
poor lady would have been unfit to travel.
The room for her shall be prepared at
once"
II, of course" said DR.. Hudson, "shall
require no bed. must sit up tonight
it would not do for me to leave Madame
Adolphe; and for her brother-in-law. it
you will allow him to rest on this sofa, it
will be quite sufficient for him. For my
sister, | will most gratefully accept the
offer OF bed, although | am very truly
vexed to give such trouble"
I'VE will gladly make any arrange
ments this small house admits off, said
Helen.
With that we left the room. Our re-
sources were indeed not large-the "blue
room" as we called it, being the only
bona fide spare room.
I'VE can easily do up Lucys for NJ.
Adolphe." said Helen. II should be sor-
ry not TO come to the rescue with another
room for them, poor things"
As Lucy was away halt of the year, her
room had something of the sanctity OF a
spare one about it. and there was our
mothers vacant, which she could use.
Margery was very cross at all this; so
Helen and | worked vigorously at what
there was to do; and, indeed, there was
no time to lose.
Of course the fire smoked in Madame
Adolphe's room, and the wind sobbed fit
fully in it. 1t seemed long time COM
ing to what | call good temper, and
sheets had to be aired, and bed-cothes un-
earthed. and only the domestic gods know
what besides. Where could Lucy be that
she did not offer to help ?" Perhaps keep
ing awe-struck guard over that formidable
Mephistopheles. Imagine my surprise
when, through the open dining room door
came hearty laugh from Lucy, a good
deal too highly pitched for the vicinity OF
an invalid.
"Oh, no, you make mistake again."
she was saying, ''It is my aunt Judith l
stay with at st. Leonards, and the dear
aunt here is aunt Bessie"
Heavens, how silly the child was Were
our family chronicles being aired for this
strangers benefitp
They were seated on each side of the
fire, the Frenchman with a look OF Pc
culiar amusement. He rose on my en-
trance, and proceeded to declare that the
storm had done them an especial kindness
in bringing them to such good quarters.
"Oh. don't be too sure," said Lucy,
lightly, and without particle Of misgiv-
ing as to the priety of her behavior. I'VE
may give you damp sheets, for aught you
known
"What on earth were you talking about
| when came inP" | asked her, as he lett
the room. ''Were you giving this man
our family history complete p
"No. not quite that, Grizel. He kept
thinking we were sisters, so had to tell
him we were not, and that lived in turns
with you and Aunt JUDITH
''But what does it matter what he thinks?
"A stranger like that"
''He is u Nj. Adolphe. He and the othe-
gentleman showed their cards. and"
"Yes, yes, know all that. But il does
not follow from their showing cards that
they are the people described; there is no
actual proof" said this for the moral OF
the thing, not that had the least misgiv-
ing myself that they were imposters.
"Ohr' said Lucy, and 1t is beyond my
power to give all the significance Of one
of those EXPLANATIONS Of hers, as look
rContinued IN fourth uageI