The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-12-18

paid him to take the pony carriage bacl
to the farm. with the message as repest
ed to Carriston.
The journey passed like q lope
dream. The girl could think of moth
ing but her lover. dying. dying-per
haps dead before she could reacn HIM.
The miles flew by unnoticed; twilight
crcpt on; the carriage grew dark; al
last-London at last! Miss Rowan
stepped out on the broad platform, no!
knowing what to do or where to turn.
Presently tall, well-dressed man came
up to her. and removing his hat,
addressed her by name The promise
as to her being met had been kept
She clasped her hands ''Iell me
oh, tell me he is not deadr' she cried.
'.Nr. Carr is not dead. He is i'll,
very i'll delirious. and calling for You. -
'.Where is he? Oh. take me to him.
''He is miles and miles from here AT
a friends house. have been deputed
to meet you aud to accompany you. il
you feel strong enough to continue the
journey at once"
Come" said Madeline. Take ne
to him.
Your luggage?" asked the gentle
man.
81 have none. Gomez
"You must take some refrcshment ~
81 need nothing. Comet
The gentleman glanced at his watch.
''There is just tlme," he said. He
called cab. told the driver to 90 at
top speed. They reached Paddington
Just in time to cat ch the mail
During the drive across London
Madeline asked many questions, and
learned from her companion that Mr.
Carr had been staying for day or two
at friends house in the west of En-
gland. That yesterday he had fallen
from his horse and sustained such in
jurics that his life was despaired of. He
had been continually calling for Made
line. They had found her address on a
letter. and had telegrsphed As soon as
posSiblc-for which &C. Miss Rowan
thanked her companion with tears in
her eyes.
Her conductor did not say m uch of
his own accord, but in replying to her
questions he was politely sympathetic.
She thought of little outside the fear
full picture which filled every corner of
her brain. but from her conductors
manner received the impression that he
was 4 medical adviser. vino had seen
the sufferer. and assisted in tee treat
men of the case. She did not ask his
name. nor did he reveal il.
At Paddington he placed her in a
ladies' carriage and left her. He was
a smoker, he said. She wondered some
what at his desertion. Then the train
sped down west At the large stations
the gentleman came to her and offered
her refreshments. Hunger seemed to
have left her, but she accepted cup of
tea once or twice. At last sorrow, IA
tigue and the weakness produced by
such prolonged fast had their natural
effect With the tears still on her
lashes the girl fell asleep. and must
have slept for many miles: sleep I'M
broken by stoppages at stations.
Her conductor at last aroused her.
He stood at the door of the carriage.
I'VE must get out here" he said. All
the mOmentarily forgotten anguish
came back to her as she stood beside
him on the almost unoccupied plat
form.
care we there at last?' she asked.
Il am sorry to say we have still Q
long drive: would you like to rest
first?'
mo. no. Come on, if you please"
She spoke with fever;sh eagerness.
The man bowed. "a carriage waits"
he said.
Outside the station was 4 carriage of
some sort, drawn by one horse, and
driven by man mufl'ei up to the eyes,
It was still night. but Madeline fancied
dawn could not be far of. Her con-
ductor opened the door of the carriage
and waited for her to enter.
She paused. "Ask him-that man
must know if"
Il am most rcmiss.'' said the gentle
man. He exchanged few worus with
the driver. and coming back. told Made
line that Mr.. Carr was still alive, sensi-
Die and expecting her eagerly.
''Oh, please, please drive fast" said
the poor girl, springing into the car
rage. The gentleman seated himself
beside her. and for long time they
lrove on in silence. At last they
stopped. The dawn was jus. glimmer-
ing. They alighted in front OF house.
The door was open. Madeline entered
swiftly. (Which way-which way?"
'he asked. She was too agitated to
notice any surroundings; her one wish
was to reach her lover.
''Allow me-" said the conductor, |
passing her "This way; please follow
me-" He went up short flight of |
tairs. then paused, and opened door
quietly. He stood aside for the girl to
inter. The room was dimly lit. and
bed with drawn curtains.
few past her travelling com.
'anion. and she threw herself on her
,nees beside the bed upon which she
to see the helpless and shat
cred form of the man she loved, heard.
n fancied she heard, tie door locked
,ehind her.
Carriston slept on late into the next
ay. Knowing that every moment of
oddly and mental rest was precious
Don to him. left him und,sturbed. He
vas still fast asleep when. about mid
ny. gentleman called upon me. He
emit up no card. and l supposed he
anne to consult ME professionally.
The moment he entered my room 1
ecognized him. He was the thin
pped, gentlemanly person whom had
let on my journey to BourneMouth
,st spring--the man who had seemed
D much impressed by my views on in
lnity, and had manifested such inter-
st in the description had given-with-
ut mentioning my name-of Carris-
m macmillan. mind