Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-11-13
A LOST CHANCE.


1t was midsummer, and Lillian
Ferguson had never seen fairer scene
than the pillows of blue hills that lay
stretched out below her. with here and
there the flash of half-hidden lake, or
the ribbon-like glitter of tiny river.
She stood leaning against the rustic
post that formed tho support of the
booking office of the small rural sta
ton, while her modest little trunk and
travelling bags were piled up at the
rear.
Don't fret, MISS" said the station
master, porter, and booking clerk COM
bined. who was busting in and ont
THE omnibus will be here SOON"
''Oh, am in no hurry for the busr'
said Lillian. pleasantly. II could stand
and look at this beautiful landscape all
day."
lively uttered the official. I'VE never
think about it at all"
us the omnibus often as late as
thisP" said Lillian, glancing at her neat
little silver watch.
mot generally" said the station
master; "but to-day they're waiting at
the Rectory for. the deaf-and-dumb
gentleman"
''For whomp" said Lillian, in amaze
ment
For the dcaf-and-dumb gentleman,
miss" explained the station-master.
"a cousin of our minister's. He's been
down here for treatment; but dear me,
there amt no treatment can ever do
him any good. AS deaf rs stone.
miss, and never spoke an intelligent
word since he was born. But they do
say he's very learned man, In spite
of all his drawbacks.
''l'm afraid he won't DO very lively
travelling companion" said Lillian,
smiling.
"No. I suppose not" said the sta
tion-master. in n matter-of-fact sort Of
way.
Just at that moment wagonette
drove up; the driver handed out va
lise, and assisted young lady TO
alight.
"Has the omnibus gomez" she cried,
tlinging aside her veil, and revealing
very pretty brunette face, shaded by
jetty friDges of hair and flushed with
excitement
You're just in time. miss" said Mr..
Jones. peerIng down the winding road,
which his experienced eye could trace,
when no one else's was Of any avail.
"It's a-comin' nowr'
But Lillian Ferguson, who had been
gazing Mt the new conner earnestly.
now came forward with an eager smile
and an outstretched hand.
Surely l am not mistaken" said
ha sand chic Il Eilap Mortnup
Lillian Fergusoni" On, YOU darl-
ing. am SO glad TO see your cried the
stranger. But where on earth did
you come from2"
And thus met the two lovely girls
who had parted Just a year ago at
Madame de Tournaire's fashionable
boarding-school in Scarborough, and
who had not seen each other since.
Just ut this moment, however. there
was no time for explanations. The
ponderous omnibus rolled up, with
creak of leathern curtains, tramp of
horses, and general confusion of
arrival, to the broad wooden steps of
the station.
The sun was already down. In the
twilight Ellen and Lillian oould only
discover that the vehicle contained but
enc other occupant, man. who leaned
back in the far corner. with the top of
his face partially hidden by large,
wide brimmed hat, and its lower part
wrapped in the folds of Persian silk
pocket-handkerchief.
He inclined his head courteously as
they entered. and moved handsome
travelling case which lay on the middle
seat, as IL to make room for them.
''Is there another passenger" said
Miss Morton, with q little, nervous
start
''It's only deaf-and-dumb gentle
man." Lillian explained, her eyes full
of soft pity. ."rho station-master told
me about him."
What nuisance" cried Ellen. IL
had hoped we should have the drive TO
ourselves. But now. dear" As she
settled herself in the most comfortable
corner, "tell me what this unexpected
encounter mean"
1T means" said Lillian, with a shy
smile, ''that l am going to be nursery
governess at Chessipgton Hall, that is,
IL give satisfaction. / was engaged
by letter week ago."
What n very singular coincidence.
Ehlu MISE chhhAhS hNA WY
coiorad bonnet-strings. And L am
going to be companion to old Mrs.
Grove. of Grove Rookery, the very next
place to Chessington Hall. How / do
envy you. Lillian"
Envy me. EIlenp"
Eyes. Haven't you heard about ftP"
said the brunette. .'The Chessington
children, your future charge, are moth
erless, don't you knowP They arc
under the care of an aunt, SO Mrs.
Grove told me; and there Is = hand
some widowor and IN interesting
Young bachelor Mt ChessiDgton Hall.
Lillian colored holly.
Neither of whom expect TO meet,
said she.
lit will DO your own fault IL you
don o. oDservdu MISS morton. why,
my dear, here Is your career all chalked
out for you. Sentimental widower.
with lots Of money--pretty goyerness--
mutual ascination-growingd devotion
finale, n wedding! Heyl presto,
your fortune Is madel"
ELLEN, how can you talk SOP" cried
Lillian, flushing and indignant. IL
am not on misunderstanding cxpedi-
tion; am simply trying to earn my
own living"
The more goose you, 10 neglect
such an opportunity rs this" said
Ellen, laughing. "if you don't try for
,ho rvidowsr ahall Grove ROokerv