Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-07-15

Oracle could not restrain the eXcla-
NATION that Ios, TO her lips.
His wifer did not know he was
married."
"Oh, yes," returned my mother CON-
posedly, there is a Mrs Fairholme,
know.
saw Oracle change color; and In a
minute she went out ofthe room.
l was tramping home TO Neither Hall
thinking of Grace's pale face, and was
walking in a narrow lane, followed by
all the dogs, when | caught sight of a
girlish figure standing on the top of
the steep bank, busy struggling with a
spray OF cleaning crimson bryony ber-
ries which she was trying To wrest from
the hedge. At sound of our approach
ing steps-mine and the dogs'-she
turned her head. l knew her of course
at once-the short golden hair under a
broad-brimmed hat, the white dress,
the tan-leather wrinkly gloves up above
the elbow-abOve all, the deep shadOwy
eyes and absolutely irresistible mouth
it was Mrs. FairhOlme. In an instant
she had seen me, and sprang down the
bank into the road. | think she was
going to ask me 10 tear away the bryony
spray for her; she stood with her right
hand extended, the whole power of her
brilliant eyes turned on me. And IL
What did dor felt that my own
safety lay IN flight l raised my hat,
bowed stifiiy, ignoring the outstretched
hand, and walked on, leaving her staD-
ding pausing, half bewildered for the
instant, and | stalked on, never once
looking back, and arrived at home 50
abominably cross that my mother was
quite astonished, because, though | GER
talnly have good many faults, am
not usually bad tempered fellow.
Hal" said my mother, ''If | were
you, would run up to London for a
week TO the Vargraves'.
The Vargraves' were my cousins.
There was whole hOuseful OF them
jolly girls enough. They lived in one
of the Bayswater squares and were al
ways having dances and dinner-parties.
what should L go there for?" de.
manded irritably.
why your Aunt Vargrave has writ
ten ever 80 many times TO say that they
have seen nothing of you-and l think
you want change; you've been fret
ting yourself Ill about Gerard Castle
maine"
''I'm not ILL.,"
"Well. out of spirits. A week at the
Vargraves' would set you up. You
are SO moped without Gerard, and Pm
sure he would gladly spare you. l
Think added my mother archly, "that
your cousins are beginning to grow
jealous of Grace"
''PoOhi They needn't"
Are you sure, Hal?"
'Quite sure. / say, mother, | don't
want to go to London"
But all the time 1t was borne in upon
me that it would be better for me to
go away for little time. So at last |
settled down to leave home.
1t was a very stormy day when | star
ted for town. &c Is about a tivo nuurs
run from us to London, and L set out
by train leaving at four, which was
due at the terminus about nine. The
statiOn-master who had reserved me a
first-class smoking compartment, re-
marked to me as he locked the in
Its gong TO be regular October
gale, Mr. Shirley, SIR"
''All right, DObson," L answered; 81
don't expect the train will be blown off
the metals"
mo, sir. How's Mr.. Castlemaine.
slr?"
''Oh, coming on finelyl We shall
have him on horseback by the first meet
of the Neither Hall hounds"
That's well, sir" and touching his
hat, Dobson went off.
Suddenly my attention was attrac-
ted to a gentleman standing by car
riaee window and talking to lady in
side. They were about six compart-
ments beyond me; and saw at once
that they were Mr.. and Mrs. Falrholme.
So they were going on the same train
with mel Just then the station-bell
sounded, and the train began To move.
Doctor Fairholme stood back waving
his hand and smiling. He had eyiden-
tly been seeing his wife off-and | was
in the same tain with the woman
| was going TO London to escaped At
the first big station where we stopped
| could not resist the temptation of
getting out aud walking up and down
with my cigar, sending side glanees at
the window where she sat.
On again-past hedges and fields,
meadows and oIchards-regular En-.
glish midland scenery. Another stopl
There was an awful crash, and WAS
violently hurled across the carriage and
back again on TO the hoor. | felt "a
singing, binding gust of sleety rain
on my face and heard a fearful grind
ing crashing sound mingled with
screams, SHOUTS, anc grpans. My COM
partment seemed pretty we'll wrecked.
1t was jammed into no particular shape
and the rain was entering through the
shattered window. Through this hole
managed to wriggle, and came out on
such scene of horror as | pray | may
never see again. L sent up silent
thanksgiving for my own safety, and
then 1 thought of Mrs. Fairholme.
Frantically rushed to her carriage.
1t was empty-they had lifted out the
passengers. l ran along the bank,
needless of rain and wind, my one idea
being to find her. Presently saw
small dark figure of a woman, hatless
and dishevelled, seated alone on pile
of planks. Her handkerchief was held
to one side of her face-she was notion
less. rushed towards her, and she
half turned as bent over her.
''Oh," she said falteringly, lifting a
sheet white face TO mine, "Mr. Shirleyl
Thank heaveDl"
"You are hurtp" L asked, trying to
control my voice to speak quietly,
She bowed her head In answer. She
could not speak; her lips were blue and
quivering with pain.
Your head?" l said as | substituted
my handkerchief for her own which
was soaked with blood.
"No that is nothing. My-oh, my
sideI"-with a gasp and sob of agony.
''I'll take you to the station" said L
rising hastily.
"Oh, don't go away, Mr., Shirley, for
Heavens sakeP'
"I'm only going to get something to
protect you from this fearful rain; |
shall not be gone one minute. Wait
for mel''