The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17


ed to Carriston.
The tourney passed like long
dream. The girl could think of moth
ing but her lover. dying, dying-per-
haps dead before she could reacd hum.
The miles few by unnoticed; twilight
crept on; the carriage grew dark; at
last-London at last! Miss Rowan
stepped out on the broad platform, not
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. Tell me-
oh. tel me he is not dead" she cried.
.'Mr. 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 and to accompany you. If
YOU feel strong enough To continue the
| journey at once.
Come" said Madeline Take me
10 him.
Your luggage?" asked the gentle
man.
| nave HOnc. NDIue.
| you must take some relreShment"
81 need nothing. Gomez
The gentleman glanced at his watch.
There is just time, he said. He
called cab. told the driver to 90 at
top speed. They reached Paddington
! Just in time to cat CD 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 a friends house i'll the west of En-
gland. That yesterday he had fallen
rom his horse and sustained such in
! iuries that his life was deSraired of. He
had been continually calling for Made
! line They had found her address on a
letter. and had telegraphed Is soon as
possible which act Miss Rowan
| thanked her companion with tears in
her eyes.
Her conductor did not say M UGH of
his own accord, but in replying TO her
questions he was politely sympathetic.
She thought of little outside the fear
ful picture which filled ever corner of
her brain. but from her conductor 8
manner received the impression that he
was medical adviser, who had seen
the sufferer, and assisted in the treat
men of the case. She did not ask his
name. nor did he reveal it.
At Paddington lie 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
laShcs the girl fell asleep, and must
have slept for many miles: a 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 momentarilv forgotten anguish
came back to her as she stood beside
him on the almost unOccupied plat
form.
''Are we there at last?n she asked.
Il am sorry to say we have still a
long drive: would you like to rest
first?"
mo, no. Come on. if you please"
She spoke with feyerish eagerneSs.
The man bowed. "a carriage waits, s"
he said.
Outside the station was carriage of
some sort, drawn by one horse, and
driven by man mutfiei up to the eyes.
1t 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-
BILE and expecting her eagerly.
''Oh, please, please drive fast" said
the poor girl, springing into the car
riagc. The gentleman seated himself
beside her, and for long time they
drove 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"
she 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 Il short flight of
stairs, then paused, and opened door
! quietly. He stood aside for the girl to
enter. The room was dimly lit. and
contained bed with drawn curtains.
Madeline flew past her travelling COM
panion, and she threw herself on her
knees beside the bed upon which she
expected to see the helpless and shat
tered form of the man she loved, heard.
or fancied she heard, the door locked
behind her.
Carriston slept on late into the next
day. Knowing that every moment of
bodily and mental rest was a precious
boon to him, | left him undlsturbed He
was still fast asleep when. about mid
day. gentleman called upon me. He
sent up no card, and l supposed he
came to consult ME professionally.
The moment he entered my room L
recognized him. He was the thin
Tipped, gentlemanly person whom l had
met on my journey to BournemOuth
last spring-the man who had seemed
so much impressed by my views on in
sanity, and had manifested such inter-
est in the description had given-with-
out mentioning my name-of CarriS-
tons peculiar mind.
/ should have at once claimed ac-
craftsmanship with my visitor, but be-
fore l could speak he advanced, and
apolOgized gracefully for his intrusion.