Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-12-27
MY DEAR GODMOTHER.
A CHARMING LITTLE STORY FOR THE PLEASANT
CHRISTMAS TIDE.

think my story began at the moment when
my hat box was bundled out of the van of the
London train at the Crossbridge station, to
spend the Christmas holidays. 1t was certainly
before the extraction OF my second portman-
teau, for was too anxious about that to pay
any attention to the fact that porter at my
elbow had made several attempts to complete
an observation beginning: ''Beg pardon, sir.
The lady is in the waiting-room sir. If you'll
please step this way"
lady, and so told him; but when the portman-
teau was found at last and the train had
moved off, turned to find him and myself the
only visible beings on the platform, and to
hear him still persuasively reiterating: "If
you would kindly step this way, sir. There
the lady might be expecting" And he looked
feebly along the down line and into the signal
box, and back into my face again for sugges-
ton.
"Whoever she expects, it's quite certain not
to be me, assured him.
81 ask your pardon, sir, l really do! Bat the
lady she is that positive that just for the salts
flying Of her mind, if you would step around
I'd take it as kindness"
Of course was not the person wanted, for l
soon heard the lady say to the porter Il tod
you an elderly gentleman. Quite elderly"
As glanced at the lady almost caught my
self wishing for moment I had been the
right man.
wished it completely and unfeignedIy a
moment later, when her travelling companion
Joined her at the waitiag-room door. This was
simply the loveliest young creature had ever
set eyes on.
ooh, Auntie, what are we to do?" heard
girlish voice exclaiming. CTS too bad of
Colonel Wriothesley Must we wait here till
the next tramp
1t was an opening for me, and seized it.
''You are expecting Colonel Wriothesley, I
l,aITn In 10 friar %
have heard him mention my name-Trayers-
Major Travers-if 1 can be of any service in
his absence The elder of the two took a
good look at me. as sensible woman should; a
cool, deliberate, considering gaze; then ac-
cepted the introduction frankly
81 am a cousin of Colonel Wriothesley-lIrs
Darsie Pierpoint-and was relying on him to
meet me here and take us down 10 Rocksedge
This is a strange lard to Us, and 1 am not
quite sure of being able to find my way to my
own house when 1 get there-as l have been
rash enough to take it without seeing it, l
assured her OF my intimate acquaintance with
the place and its ways, and she ended by intro
ducing "My niece, Miss Leyland, whereon the
bud blushed as is not the wont of even buds
to blush in these days.
We had pleasant journey down, during
which Mrs. Pierpoint explained that she had
Colonel wednesdays recommendation, in
search Of quiet and sea breezes; and in turn
told her how came to be there, how was in
command Of detachment at Fort L.mpet a
email military penitentiary, situated ON for
lorn little spit of land at one end of the strip
of pebbly beach along which Rocksedge ex-
tends its stucco lines of terraces and espla-
nades. "Then we are quite near neighbors,"
she was pleased to say, with charming smile.
81 believe my cottage, Tamarisk Lodge, is near
the fort, quite away from the town. 1 hope
you will come and see us soOn."
I drove the ladies home in my trap, there
being nothing on wheels procurable at Rock
sedge without special notice, and received and
accepted an invitation to luncheon for the
next day.
Something to write about tonight at
least" thought, when 1 retreated to my room
that evening after mess to dispatch my weekly
letter to my regular correspondent, the widow
of my late godfather, whon-at first in fun,
and also partly to keep her position well before
my own mind, and afterward because 1 didu't
quite know what else to call her-I had always
addressed as "Godmother." Every Tuesday
night have opened my leather writing-case-
her present when I was starting for India
taken out her photograph and propped it up
before me, and then addressing it, as it were,
proceeded to pour out the weeks experiences,
IS could have done to no living being be-
tides. All this, Notwithstanding the fact that