The Penn's Grove record., 1885-07-04

a sleepy voice remarked
"You have kept me waiting a long
time, Frank" j.,
Absolute amazement bereft me OF
speech. never moved-only looked
down out of the corner of my eye at
the soft little mass Of hair showing
quite plainly in the moonlight.
"Do you hear, Frankp I've been
fast asleep.
"Tm-very sorry-really ~ stammer-
ed /, with an insane feeling that must
say something
Are we going home, Frankp"
"Yes-yes-that is I'm sure youIl
excuse me-
Up started the head from my Shout
der. A small astonished face and TWO
wild flashing eyes were turned full up
on my guilty cOuutenance; then, Deioie
| could move or speak she let down the
window of the brougham and called To
the coachman to stop. Quick as hight
ming, she jumped out, and stood IN the
moonllt ROAD small slender inquire
with "a long cloak half covering a llght
summer dress, two white lists clenched
at her sides, and eyes looklng-weil,
I ~ man tAEEtAo
stilsttoes, at least-at me.
There was nothing for it but to jump
out too. AS | did 80, she went back a
step OF two, as if recoillng even then.
Embarrassed as | was, | noticed now
gracefully she did it.
Upon my word, beg your pardonI
l really do, by JOvel''
"And you dare to speak to me, you
dare to- " She paused a minute, her
Indignation literally choking her. Then
she turned to the coachman-"Waters
how Oh earth did this person get into
the brougham?"
with your permission" | said
rather Eaughtily, | Delieye-"l VIII
tell my " story. Doctor Fairholme
is compelled to stay up all night with
my friend. Mr.. Castlemaine, who Is
very i'll. He knew that | had ten miles
to walk, and kindly offered me his
brougham to 60 home in.
at wa inexcnsable."
at was" | rejoined i~mperturbably
sit was most inexcusable of him not tC
mention that there was a lady in the
carriage. Had | known it should
never have intruded. And now, hay'
ing explained my presence here, l vii
hasten to relieve you of my company.
was quite astounded at the dignity
which inflstd into my manner. held
open the carriage door.
"WIli you resume your seat? You
need not be afraid of walking past me, y
| added, as she drew back once more
ana hesitated an Instant.
She tossed her small head a little de-
dantly. Womanlike. she would moi
OWE herself mistaken. Without a WORD
she took her seat in the brougham and
allowed me to faSten the door.
"Drive on" said | to the coachman
and the horse started once more.
| was very, very tired began t.
realize now how tired-as | dragged
my sore feet to milestone at the side
of the road ami sat down thereon.
| listend to the sound of the depar-
ting wheels. How long "a sound lasts
in the dead stiffness of a summer night
| could almost have declared that those
wheels were approaching, not recedlng
The sound certainly was louder.
raised my tired head; the broughan
was r~eturningI AS 1t stopped | rose to
my feet The window was let down,
and a little bare hand was stretched
out to me.
"Will you get into the brougham
Mr.? think | was very rude;
shall be only too pleased to drive you
home, if you will forget the way
spoke"
II am sure | don't wonder at YOU
being angry; you must have been sur
prised,"
~ was; but please get in"
l did not hesitate-I was 50 ''dons
up." She made ME SIT beside her; anC
| was only too content to be nee more
ia that comfortable nest, with a chance
of getting home again by midnight.
For a short space of time WI were al
mute as two fishes. Certainly 1t vas Z
very queer position. A young lady anC
a young man who had never been III
troduced to each other were staring il
the dark for a ten mile ride side by side
IN a brougham. Presently the pretty
little head was slowly turned for the
purpose of taking a fuTtive survey o.
me. Somehow | telt exceedingly shy
at the thought of such an ordeal. l shut
my eyes and pretended to be asleep,
feeling all the time that the other pail
of eyes-large and bright, | knew,
though | did not see their color
were taking stock of me with interest
My companion did not move from
her nest in the corner; but her eye:
were, l know, fixed upon me as she
asked
Are you a great friend of MI. Cas-
tlemain'sp"
Eyes, 1 suppose l am" | answered
1--WE were at school together"
''lndeedl Do you live neal here?"
eyes, at Neither Hall. My name Il
Shirley"
''Ohp'-a great deal of surprise In,
fused into that "Ohl' You are Mr.
Shirley of Neither HallS"
"Yes, l believe So"
"Was it your wife who left cards on
Frank last week."
''No-my mother. l haven't a wifi
Pm not married"
II think, - she remarked, after {
pause, that Miss Castlemain is very
pretty; | saw her in church on Sun
day"
"Were you in church on Sunday
never saw youl'
81 think | saw you, though; | know
you by your hair :
| laughed. Jerry was always chat
Eng me about my ridiculous hair; so
did not mind. But, as the thought o.
Jerry again rushed across my brain, i
seemed to shut out everything else.
should be SO fearfully lonely without
himl
81 do feel sorry for YOU" said thu
sympathetic little voice. Don't trouble
to talk if you would rather be quiet,
ut is no trouble to talk to yon,"
answered promptly: but don't seem Il
be able to think or talk about anything
but poor Gerard just now.o
''Talk to me about him then-tel
me how the accident happened"
Thus encouraged, | launched out
and told her all about it; l gave her al
account of our shooting, our riding
our yachting, and all the fun we ha(
together. Gradually she sat up but O
her corner to listen. Perhaps she saw
that | was a gentleman, and that sht
was quite safe in my company. ShC