The National tribune., 1881-11-12

prlSed by his appearance his manner ana MS
request, showed her astonishment by her looks.
"What are you staring at?" shouted Jones.
"Are you going to do what I tell you, or shall
save you the trouble?"
Thinking, possibly, that the English gentle
man was touched in the head, the servant re-
tired, and Mr. Jones had another interval of
loneliness and impatence Why didn't they
bring up that bill? What was that woman up
to? Was this the way b0arder was to be
treated? Who was going to take down that
portmanteau? And, in confusion of thought,
Mr.. Jones stamped up and down his room as
though every one was to blame but himself.
When Madame Routiton did appear she ex-
planned to him, politely enough, that his agree
ment was not by the day but by the week, and
his time was not vet up. What did that matter
to him? He was willing to pay for the time
which wasn't 'a1 When he had seen
his portmantes r.sf lown, he did pay,
Madame Bout1 lg from his manner
that the servant - wrong in declaring
Monsieur Shoore tie crazy.
Then he rush .3 ed down the stairs.
though it was no: " lock. No breakfast
for him. Not Is aa OF hungry, but face
the other boar0 than he could do.
At the foot he - shire. At the sight
of her he stood f9- in the terror which
possessed him ri away entirely from
his memory.
What is tn, mas hat is wrong? You
are not going s
And Miss ( 5 ler hand upon his
arm. Her pr ice, and her touch
acted on him as a charm to awake him from
dream He stared at her. bewildered. Not only
was he flying from his punishment, but from his
love as well. He gave cry of anguish, and
shrank from her
"Agnes, do not touch me! My God, what
have I done?"
What had he done? 1t was a question she
asked as well as he. All she knew was that she
loved him; that he seemed to her in trouble;
that it was for her to sympathize. She leant for
ward, laid her hand upon his arm, and whispered
almost in his ear George, tell me. What is
it?n Do not be afraid I am here-and-and
you have my love. What has happened? Tell
me, George-perhaps can help you; if / can
not you know l at least can comfort
Comfort You comfort me. Do you know
that | -"
the stairs from behind laid his hand upon his
shoulder and stopped him. 1t was Lyme. He
was starting for the Station, en- route for Paris
Seeing them together, he suspected that their
conversation might be of topics in which he was
interested, and did not hesitate to interfere
"You are what?" with his easy laugh. eyes,
Miss Cheshire, Mr.. Jones and I are beth depart
ug H". exactly sl sI own accord an. .-s.uee
tircr seld.n h.a--s5g>s ns away
MAJ -..> that my b, allow e 20 look s5--
ward s a aDE Bliss Cheshire
upon #..a.a 1gEs 3v.e-sa country-"
!, 1859 ,IIo was 10 ';rye OF MS own
country history does not say, for he stopped, as
Mr. Jones had done before him, bat for very
different reason. The hall door was opened and
three people entered General Calonbert. the
doctor, and Monsieur de Slecal-Monsieur de
Slecal, perhaps little pale, but upright as ever
and walking as though nothing inconvenient had
happened to him. Mr.. Lyme stared, and Mr..
Jones stared; it was as though some one had
risen from the dead. Seeing their amazement,
the doctor put his hand to his side and laughed.
Even the General smiled; only de Slecal remain
ed as grim as ever It was like scene from
comedy
May | inquire said Mr.. Lyme, when he had
regained the power of speech what we may
understand from this?"
This you may understand" replied the doctor,
what you see. Our cher Monsieur is not hurt
as we were afraid. No doubt he-what you call
it-tripped, Monsieur Shoones, he cut the skin,
but it was the fall, not the wound hurt Mon
sieur"
again. The end was just as much joke to him
as was the beginning Far more OF Joke to
Jones. Miss Cheshire stared from one to the
other with total lack of comprehension What
was it about? The b0arders had crowded out
into the passage, and Madame Boutiton peeped
from the landing. 1t was as good as a rare show,
and more mysterious.
The effect OF the surprise-joytul surprise we
need hardly say-upon Jones was singular. He
recognized first that he was free from guilt and
then that he was free to love. And when he !
recognized that latter fact he threw out his arms
in his impulsive fash han-and drew Miss Chesh- |
ire-an astonished victim-toward him, kissing |
her on the eyes, nose, lips, and anywhere.
That was hard upon Miss Cheshire, but good |
fun for the boarders, who grinned or blushed |
were horritied OF indignant as the case might be- |
Jones did not care either way, and perhaps, hav- |
ing been given due time for consideration, Miss |
Cheshire did not care much either.