The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-22
In a Stage Coach.
BY HELM FOREST GRAVES

that lay stretched out before her, with
here and there the fash of half hidden
lake, or the ribbon-llke glitter Of tiny riv-
eF.
She stood leaning against the rustic cedar
post that formed the support of the hotel
piazza, while her modest little trunk and
travelling bags were piled up at the rear.
"Don't fret, miss" said the landlady,
who was busting in and out. "The Stage
will be along soon."
ooh, Pm in no hurry for the STAGE" said
Lillian pleasantly. 81 could stand and look
at this beautiful landscape all day."
"Ain't that strange nowp refectlvely ut
tered Mrs. Peck, the landlady. "Me and
Peck, we never think about it at all.''
SIS the stage often as late as this?" said
Lillian, glancing at her neat little silver
watch.
''Not generally" said Mrs. Peck. "But
to-day they're waiting, at Wells Station for
the deaf and dumb gentleman"
"For whomP' said Lillian in amazement.
s'For the deaf and dumb gentleman, MISS"
explained Mrs. Peck. ga cousin of our
minister's, up at Crest Hill. He's been
down to New York for treatment; but
dear me, there amt no treatment can ever
do him any good. As deaf as a 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"
''pm afraid he won't be very lively tray
cling companion" said Lillian, smiling
mo, calculate not" said Mrs. Peck, in
matter of fact sort of way.
just at that moment box-wagon drove
up; the charioteer handed out Valise, and
assisted young lady to alight.
Has the stage gone?' she cried, flinging
sside her veil and revealing a very pretty
brunette face shaded by ietty fringes of hair
and flushed with excitement.
ttYOu're inst in time miss - said Mre
Peck, peering down the winding road, which
her experienced eye could trace, when no
ones else was of any avail. "It's a-comin'
nowp'
But Lillian Ferguson, who had been gazing
at the newcomer earnestly, now came for
ward with an eager smile and an out
stretched hand.
''Surey am not Mistaken" said she,
''and this is Eulalie Morton%'
Gillian Fergusonl Oh, you darling, am
so glad to see youp' cried the stranger
"But where on earth did you come fromP'
Aud thus met the two lovely girls who
had graduated just year ago from Madame
De Tournaine's fashionable boarding school
in New York, and who had not seen each
other since.
Just at this moment, however, there was
no time for explanations. The ponderons
stage, relic of a forgotten generation, rolled
up, with creak of leaihern curtains, tramp
of horses, and general confusion of arrival
to the broad wooden steps of the hotel.
The sun was already down. In the twi-
light Eulalie and Lillian could only discover
that the stage contained but one other occu-
pant, man, who leaned back in the far
corner, with the top of his face partially
hidden by a large, wide-brimmed hat, and
its lower part wrapped in the folds of Per-
sian silk pocket handkerchief.
He inclined his head courteously as they
entered, and moved handsome travelling
case which lay on the middle seat as If to
make room for them.
SIS there another passeager?' said Miss
Morton, with a little, nervous start.
cts only u deaf and dumb gentleman"
Lillian explained, her eyes full of soft pity.
''The landlady told me about him."
s'What a nuisanceP' cried Eulale. 81
had hoped we should have the stage to our
selves. But now, DEAR" as she settled her
self in the most comfortable corner, "tell me
what this unexpected encounter means"
SIT MEANS" said Lillian, with shy smile,
''that am going Eto be nursery governess
at Chessington Hall, up among the Adiron-
dacks-that is, If l give satisfaction. 1 was
engaged by letter from the Educational Bu-
reau week ago."
'fWhat a singular coincdencer' said Miss
Morton, shaking her cherry-colored bonnet
strings "And I am going to be companion
to old Mrs. Grove, of Grove Rookery, the
very next place to Chessington Hall. How
do envy you, LilianW
''Envy me, Eulalie?"
eyes. Haven't you heard about it?" said
the brunette. "rhe Chessington children,
your future charges, are motherless, don't
you know? They are under the care of an
aunt, so Mrs. Grove told me; and there is a |
handsome widower and interesting young |
bachelor at Chessington Hail."
Lillian colored hotly,
"Neither of whom ever expect to meet"
said she.
SIT will be your own fault if you DON'T"
observed Miss Morton, ''Why, my dear, here
is your career all chalked out for you. Sen
timental widower with lots of money
pretty governess-mutual fascination-gTow-
ing devotion-jfnGte, wedding! Hey!
presto, your fortune is made!'
"Eulalie, how can you talk SOP" cried
Lillian, flushed and indignant. 81 am not
on a husband hunting expedition; am
simply trying to earn my own living"
"The more goose you, to neglect such an
opportunity as this" said Eulalie, laughing.
''If you don't try for the widower, l shall
Grove Rookery is only half mile from
Chessington Hall after all; and rich hus-
band would solve the problem of my life at
once"
''This is too ridiculous, Eulaliep' said
Lillian. 81 could not respect myself if
were to plot and plan like this. know it is
unjust; but you have made me dislike Mr..
Chessington already"
''The more the BETTER" said Miss Morton.
"There will be all the better chance for me.
They say be is very handsome: and one
could easily send the two children away to
boarding school. / can assure you Pll have
no old-maid aunts and interfering uncles
about the premises"
"Eulalie, let us talk of something else,"
oil hat
has happened to you since graduation
day."
Eulalie laughed out merry, ringing
laugh.
"Wel, if you must know" said she, "rve
been trying my best to get a nice husband,
but without any success
SIS matrimony, then, the end and aim of
all the world%' said Lillian, with queenly dis
dain.
GAS far as I am concerned-yes," ac-
knowledged Miss Morton, with charming
frankness.
= ''Pardon me, Eulalfe,' said Lillian, "but
it seems to me that you have degenerated
frigntfully since those dear old days at
Madame de TouInsire's."
Miss Morton yawned.
''How tedious all this isP' said she. "Miss
Ferguson turned lecturer, eh? How wish
that poor fellow in tie corner wasn't deaf
and dumb! I'd flirt with him, just to az
gravate you, Llyp'
Lillian made no answer. She leaned her
head out Of the stage window, and watched
the purple dusk creep up the mountain side
counting the stars as one by one they shone
out. Anything was better than Eulalie's
shallow chatter!
Grove Rookery was soon reached, and
Miss Morton babe her old schoolmate an
effusive farewell.
81 see that the old lady has sent the car
riage to meet me-" she said. 'sGood by,
Lily. You must be sure to introduce me to
the charming widower when | come over.
IA reuoir, darling-du reu0irn
The deaf-and-dumb gentleman left the
stage very soon. Miss Ferguson watched
with some interest, but no carriage of any
description seemed to be waiting for him.
He disappeared into the woods like
shadow, and vanished from her sight.
81 suppose, poor fellow, that he lives
near here" thought She Chow dreadful
it must be, thus to be cut off from all COM
panionship with ones fellows belngp'
But even while these reflections passed
through her mind, the stage stopped again
~ before a glittering facade of lights half