The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-11-21

ematized referred to in the text.
@Mrs. Farmer!" cried Miss Newman, as the
congregation streamed out through the l,Ah
gate. "One word beg"
@Good morning, Miss Newman; Pm so glad
to see you." replied pretty little Mrs. Farmer.
ave so many things to say. You know you
asked me to think of solution for the Mys-
terious Strangers visit to Ravensbourne.
Well think" and her pretty lace tie and
necklet heaved with emotion, that the
couple have lost q child, dear little baby,
perhaps-and that it's buried here and they've
made VOW to visit its grave"
"Whatl" said the matter-of-fact Miss New
man. "vow to visit grave regularly twice
week, ON Monday and Thursday But, Mrs
Farmer, / stopped you specially just now to
beg you would be with me tomorrow after
noon about 8. Ny windows command the
Bull, and these people never fail to put in
an appearance on Mondays; and mind, you
bring your sister-in-law, too, won't youi I
am going to ask Miss Brown, Miss Davidson
and Mrs. Barton, the new doctors WIFE l
want to catch her now. Good bye. am
glad you think with me that it Is matter
to look into, as a point Of duty. You'll
promise to comet All right" And the inde-
fatigable Miss Newman started in pursuit Of
Mrs. Barton.
Miss Newman took care that the strangers
should be the subject of many conversations
that Sunday. At first, some of the good
folk of Ravensbourne declared themselves
wholly indifferent to the matter, but finding
manifestly absurd explanations started as to
the visits Of this interesting couple they crit
icised the explanations, and in most cases
found themselves in the end committed to a
theory Of their own.
II may congratulate myself" said Miss
Newman that night, as she laid her bony
cheek upon her pillow-"I may congratulate
myself on having raised the question in
Ravensbourne on the rank 1t merits-that of
= burning question:" and she ran over the
points she intended to dwell upon in the
speech to be delivered on the morrow, when
the ladies assembled in her sitting room.
Three o'clock ON Monday afternoon saw
Eliza installed in the bar of the hotel with
her niece; while Miss Brown, Miss Davidson,
Mrs Smith, Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Farmer and
four or five other ladies were assembled at
Miss Newman's After the customary greet
ings, the hostess said: ladies, have con-
vened this meeting for special purpose
not, let me explain at once, for the mere
qualification Of idle curiosity. have asked
you to meet here to consider the suspicious
conduct of the visitors to that hotel opposite,
and to determine what steps should be taken
in their regard. have my own notion as to
what should be done; but l will put that
aside until have received your suggestions.
There may be no disgraceful discoveries, but
that remains to be proved. My watch warns
me-" concluded Miss Newman in a different
tone, compelled regretfully to exercise some
telling sentences, 'that, IL they come back in
O fly, and they sometimes do so, they should
be here in six minutes; later, IL they walk
So we have no time to waste. simply re-
peat, therefore, what is now to be done.'
Il must confess that only came to look ut
ehcm," said Mrs. Farmer, after pause.
1Wour it be Of any use to speak to Mrl
Weston, OF the hote.i" timidly asked Miss
Smith.
@None!n replied Miss Newman, with
severity, "That has been tried. You might
trust me to try all obvious pans like that"
"And what is the suggestion, Miss New
man, that you said you had to maker Miss
Brown Inquired.
THAT we should club together to employ a
detective" answered the hostess, with
decision. ave must make sure of our facts.
Md. on inquiry, that the cost of a regular
detective would he heavy; but there is an
ex-policeman who has been employed on
such missions, and his charges would not
exceed two guineas day. In about two
days he thinks he could ascertain the re-
sidences, occupations Gf any and much oi
the past history Of the parties.
ave must not get ourselves into any scrape
by pryinp said Mrs Barton
"If there is money wanted we ought tc
have had some Of our mankind here, Mis-
Brown objected. ave women are such poor
and needy creature"
But the discussion was suddenly stopped BY
cry from Miss Newman Of "There they
comet"
"Well. she's very elegant looking" said
one. "There is nothing more aristocratit
than hooked nose, but she must be IS II
she's day. What lovely silk she has onl'
"Bless mel" said Mrs. Barton. "He's moi
50 military looking after all. And he's q
good 55. But there's an air about him; ant
SO sor her, she might be duchess. Look ai
the magnificent mantle she has onln
The couple who were causing so much ex
citement were met at the hotel door by th,
obsequious waiter, who handed them a tsle
gram.
"I'l run across TO the postoffice and asl
what was in the dispatch" cried Miss New
man, rushing out.
Several pairs Of eyes were turned from tn,
window to follow the hostesss retreatint
figure.
aMrs. Farmer, Is there anything the mat
terf exclaimed Miss Davidson, in alarm
catching sight Of Mrs Farmers pale AM
troubled face.
"Yes-no," stammered the little woman
T-I-don't feel quite well I'm goin,
home,n and she hurried from the room
Something like shrick rose at that sam
instant from Miss Browns lips She hat
been in the background, but had Just takel
Miss Newman's vacant place at the window
1Why, Mrs. Farmerl" she exclaimed, bu
Mrs. Farmer was gone. s.Er
"Postoffice won't tell" gasped Miss New
man, coming back in a very excited state
1They say it's contrary to rules"
MRS. Farmer has gone away" said Mrs
Smith, without saying goodbye or leaving
message for you, Miss Newman"
u think can explain" Miss Brown begal
three others. 1Qhl look, look, they're goingl
And there, sure enough, ut the hotel doc
evidently In furry, were the landlady,
waiter, and the mysterious strangers. A q,
then whisked round from the yard and pulle,
up with jerk. The strangers took thei
places in 1t, and housemaid came runnin,
down with some wraps, the lady's umbrella
and other small things in her hands
There's an up train to London in eigh
minutes" said Miss Newman, watch an,
time table in hand. They're going to catcl
that The telegram was to give them tn
alarm. Some one Is on their track, and |
confederate has given them notice"
as Miss Davidson herer cried Eliza, rush
ing in, the corner Of her shawl filed witt
what seemed to be bundles Of letters. and q,
open telegram In her band. aRead thatI
she exultAntly exclaimed, at the same tim
giving her mistress the message.
Obediently. Miss Davidson took the tele
gram and read:
aFrom Miss Isaac, Duke street, Padding
ton. To the lady or gentleman, No. 3 sitting
room, Bull hotel, Ravensbourna. Retari
Immediately. Premises ON fire."
aHeavens!" cried Miss Davidson, piously.
aGraciousi". exclaimed Miss brown, and I
chorus OF voices said. aDear mel" 40hw ant
aAh!n
aAnd now read that reiterated Eliza, q
she handed the following circular TO Mis-
Davidson. II said I'd fathorn it, and rv
done it, ma a'am."
aBULL HOTEL, RAvENsBoURNE, Monday
aMADAM: 1Owing to ladies and gentlemel
having objections to be seen entering Ward
robe Establishments, Mr.. and Mrs Abram
have been induced by Numerous customer
to take the upper part Of q private house II
Duke street, Paddington, and therefor
ladies Of the highest rank need not hesitate
a. hnvs<sr ovY.xAxss.f,xsxs NTH visif Mr.