Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-01-04
A LUCKY SLIP.

agine more bleak, deE0late station
than Elmwood on that night, with
one lamp making darkness visible.
the platform an inch deep in rain,
and a sleepy station-master and
porter giving the only indications OF
life.
DIR. Hugh Lambert, as he got cut
OF the train and went to look after
his luggage. felt very thankful that
he had only a mile to drive before
reaching home. lie was a man of
about forty. old for his years, and
slightly gray; in figure he was tall
aud we'll made, and his face had an
expression of cleverEsss.
As rule few passengers alighted
at Elmwood by that late train; but
on this night there were two besides
Hugh Lambert--a young lady aud
her maid, with a goodly pile Of lug
gage. Hugh was wondering u little
as to where they could be going,
when he heard the girl ask the sta
tiOn-master if there was carriage
waiting from Mrs. Newton, Of Priar-
ton.
why. the road has been blocked
since six o'clock, miss There's ban a
big landslIp, and they re working all
night to git it cleared. don't think
you u get 70 Priarton this week,
what with the slip and foods
What am TO do ?" exclaimed the
girl, with face Of blank despair.
Is there no other road to get to Pri
artOn 2"
Hugh Lambert was listening with
some interest. Mrs. Newton was his
nearest neighbor and a great friend
of his; this must be her niece, of
whon he had often heard. He ap-
preached the lady and raised his hat
courteousiy.
Il am sorry to say there is no 9th
or road TO Priarton, nor is there any
way of getting there tonight. 1
heard Of the landslide only about an
hour ago and know that the road is
completely blocked" )"
What can do2' the girl asked
again. "ls there any inn here, or
must take the next train back TO
the nearest town?
The last trains gone an hour !;
and there amt no inn in the country
side save publiA TINS from the
poster. s--r-s-s.s e..a.
You must let me arrange this mat
ter for you," said Hugh Lambert
| think / must be speaking TO Mrs.
Newtons niece, Miss Nayton ?"
"You have guessed rightly :" and
Dorothy NaytOn looked up eagerly,
delighted to find some one to whom
she was known, if only by name.
She was a bright little body, pleas
ant looking, though she could not lay
claim to great beauty brunette
with a clear olive complication, dark
eyes, and a straight nose. She had
crossed from Ireland that afternoon,
she told her new acquaintance and
so of course her aunt might not have
expected her to arrive so early.
You must let me take care Of you, ="
Lamb, rt said. My place is close by.
will take you there, and send a
message to your aunt as soon as pos
slble 90 let her know that you are
safe.
Just at that minute q horse was
heard galioping up the dark road, and
presently man came hurrying into
the sta; ion.
lis there e yOang lady here for
PriaIton?" he asked.
Dorothy went forward eagerly.
IF you please, miss, here u note
from Mrs. Newton. I've been four
hours getting here; / had to ride
twelve miles around, for the road s
blocked aud the foods are out. | had
TO get boat at the low meadows, aud
borrow another horse on this side.
and that has delayed me in getting
here"
Hardly waiting to listen to this
long explanation from the old coach
man, Dorothy tore open the note and
read
MY Dearest Child: ana in great
distress. The road between here and
the station has been blocked by a
tremendous landslip; so it is lmpOs-
sable 70 send the carriage to meet You.
have therefore forwarded note To
my great friend Hugh Lambert ask
ing him to send for YOU and give your
maid shelter for the night, till we see
what is to be done. He is the only
nelgh6Or on that side of the landslip.
ana is so charming that you need not
mind going to him; it il indeed the
only thing to be done.
In great haste, your loving aunt,
MARY NEWTON"
The coachman had also given Hugh
Lambert a note.
II was to have left it at Leyton,
sir, he said: "but / heard you were
coming by this train"
Lambert glanced at the contents
and then turned 10 Dorothy.
Your aunt has kindly trusted YOU
to me; so now you won't mind ac.
companying me home. viii yOu2" be
asked.
tnank u IN you who ought ia
mind was Dorothyss answer. i an
afraid we shall be giving you sC
much trouble Il Is very good o.
you.
a minute later she was seated be.
side him in the dog-cart, spinnins
\ along the dark roads into what was
7 10 her an unknown country.
Dorothy was very tired and wa:
thankful to reach the house and b