Morris tribune., 1882-10-26


went straight to London. He arrived just
as the express was dine, but the first per-
son he saw on alighting from the train was
Mrs. Hambleton's husband.
Dunsmuir was very much staggered
by this unexpected meeting. Mr.. Ham
bleton had evidently obtained clue to
his wife's destination, and had followed
in pursuit by the early morning train.
No doubt he recollected where Duns-
muir had gone, and had formed his own
conclusions. He was apparently await
ing for the train by which Dunsmuir had
Just arrived, and which would start back
again in few minutes time.
Dunsmuir naturally feared that all his
precautions had been thrown away. II
Mr.. Hanbleton found his wife at the inn
where he had been staying he would
make scene. He was a vulgar, violent
tempered man, capable of creatinga dis
turbance, and not likely to believe the
story of the expected arrival of Duns-
muir's married sister. In the midst of
the demeanor of Mr.. Hanbleton, who
in stimulants in moments of excitement,
and, though not exactly intoxicated, he
had evidently been seeking to drown
sorrow in the conventional manner.
This discovery gave Dunsmulr thrill
of hope, and simultaneously the London
express made disappearance at the curve
leading into the station. Inspired by
sudden idea, he tapped the porter on the
shoulder, and said, pointing to Mr..
Hamhleton, This is the train that gen.
tleman wants to so by. Find him seat
without delay"
"The gentleman wants to go to
r." returned the porter, mention
ing his real destination.
Never mind. This is the train," in
sisted Dunsmuir.
Whether he was overawed by Duns-
muir's tone OF command, or bribed by
the sovereign which was slipped into his
hand, the porter did not hesitate to car
ry out his instructions. When the ex-
press came to a standstill, Mr. Hamble-
ton was bundled into it somewhat I'M
tremendously, but without raising the
slightest objection, being apparently I'M
der the impression that he was proceed
ing to his destination. Dunsmuir en-
sconced himself comfortable in the cor
ner of a smoking carriage, and travelled
up to town by the same train, chuckling
at the success of his unprincipled man
evre, but by no means free from appre-
tensions lest Mr. Hambleton should
discover the trick that had been played
upon HIM and raise an alarm. Fortuna
tely, this forebodlng was not realized, for
the stock broker. being in somnoent
state, sank into a deep sleep, from which
he was with difficulty aroused at the
London terminus.
Dunsmuir lost no time in making his
way to his sisters house at BaysWater,
and an hour or SO later he presented
himself demurely at Mr.. Hambleton's
residence at Queens gate, and was ush-
ured into the presence of that gentleman
who greeted him with stare of amaze
ment. Mr. Hambleton was making
hasty meal with what appetite he could
muster, preparatory to starting off again
by the evening mail. He had by this
time recovered his sober enses, and
shametaced at the sight of his visitor.
"Why, Dunsmuir, thought YOU were
in-I thought you had gone fishing" he
murmured.
II change my plans, and start for Dew
onshire tomorrow" replied Dunsmuir,
unblushingly. 81 have an important
message for you, Mr.. Hambleton; ex-
pected to find you at the stock ex-
change"
mo! 1 happened to be away to-day"
replied Mr.. Hambleton, rather hastily.
That was Fortunate" said Dunsmuir.
'The reason | wished to see you was to
show you this letter.
The letter which he handed to Mr..
Hambleton bore that mornings date,
and Was addressed from the inn in North
Wales. 1t ran thus:
My DEAR FRANK: Pray call on Mr. Ham,
bleton the mo uent you receive this, and re-
lieve his mind about Byzantine | am send
jT,tr ,Ivt I'd of h0
81 hat you may receive it early and take 1t
to Mr.. Hambleton at once, wherever he
may be. | have Just discovered that by
great stupidity and carelessness omitted to
send him the letter l wrote last night to say
we had taken Byzantine with US. She looked
so Ill and depressed that 1 insisted upon
her coming here for achange In the hurry
and hustle of our departure forgot to post
the letter. and have just found it in NV
give me the anxiety | have caused him. l
would have telegraphed but do not know
his city address, and don't like to disturb
Byzantine by revealing my stupidity.
think we shall stay here about ten days
Won't you change your mind again, and
join us instead of going to that stupid Dew
onshire? expect George every day. He
was detained in town at the last moment.
Ask Mr.. Hambleton if he will manifest his
forsivenss by taking pity on two forlorn
ladies. and coming down for a day or two?
present our only diversion. Byzantine is
looking better already. Your atiectionate
sister.
AMY SAUNDERsoN.
Dunmuir watched Mr.. Hambleton
eagerly as'he read this mendacious lucu-
bration, and to his great relief the stock
broker evidently believed every word of
it. He returned the letter with grunt,
and said sulkily:
"Confound the women! What an idi-
otto way they have of doing things! Why
couldn't my wife have left a message for
me?'
"It was very thoughtless of her," re-
turned Dunmuir, gravely. "Shall you
had not yet perceived him. Although
the train he was waiting for had drawn
up at the siding the stockbroker stood
stolidly on the platform, apparently in
sort of dazed state. 1t suddenly oc-
Cured to Dunsmuir that, owing to the
combined effects of agitation, fatigue and
the flask with which he occasionally
moistened his lirs, Mr.. Hambleton's in
tellect was by no means clear. He was
somewhat addicted to over-indulgence
be abe to run down for day or two!'
'Ill be-if 1 dol" exclaimed Mr..
Hambleton, with sudden vehemence.
II hate North Wales. and I've had
enough of travelling to-day. Been away
on important business" he added, avoid
ing his visitors gaze, "and feel quite
kncked up. However, Dunmuir, it
was devilish friendly of YOU to take so
much trouble about looking me up, and
| confess I shall enjoy a good nights
rest tonight. I was thinking of st IT.
ing on another journey tonight but I
nave changed my mind. and hope you
will stay and dine with me, old fellow"
Don't be Discouraged.
Because 1t happens that Won have failed