The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-09-04
A DETECTIVE VICAR.
By MISS NJ. y. BRADDoN.
CHAPTER l.
BY THE NIGHT MAIL.

BY THE NIGHT MAIL.
There were but five minutes left before the
time for starting of the night mail from the
great central terminus in the busy com
mercial city OF Grandchester, and the Rev.
George CaulHeld, with travelling bag in his
hand and comfortable railway rug over
his arm, was walking slowly along the plat
form, peering into the frst-class carriages
as he went by, in quest of ease and solitude.
He was a man of reserved temper, bookish
beyond his years, and he had horror of
finding himself imprisoned among five noisy
spirits, cottony, horsey, and Of that bolster
Gus and coarsely spoken temperament which
the refined and gentle parson would have
characterized as rowdy. The reverend George
was Christian gentleman, hut SO far as it
was possible for his mild nature to hate any
one, he hated fast young men, He was not
fond of strangers, in general way He en-
dured them, but he did not love them. He
had fingered on the platform till the train
was within three minutes of starting, in the
hope of securing for himself the luxury of
privacy, but as the long hand of the station
clock marked the third minute before eleven
he espied an empty carriage and was in the
act of entering it when hand was laid very
gently on his sleeve.
Pardon me, sir" said somewhat agi-
tated voice, %are you a medical mani"
Mr.. Caulfield turned and confronted a man
OF slight figure and middle height, some
years younger than himsef-a man with
pale face, delicate features, and soft black
eyes "a very interesting countenancs, thought
the curate. The stranger looked anxious
and hurried.
No." answered NJ. CaulfeId, Il am a
clergyman"
That is almost as good Ny dear sir,
will you do ME great favor' My sister, an
invalid, is travelling by this train, alone, but
she will be met by friends at Milldale juno
ton. She is very ill-nothing infectious,
chest complaint, poor girl. If you will af-
ford her the privilege of your protection,
only as far as Milldala, you Will oblige me
enormously
There was no time for hesitation. the bell
was ringing DANGEROUSLY, people were hur-
rying to their seats.
With pleasure" said the good-natured
curate, sorry to lose the delight of loneh-
ness, embarrassed at the idea of an IN
known invalid, but far too kind to shrink
from doing an act of mercy.
The young man ran to the second-class
waiting room, the door of which was lust
opposite, and returned almost immediately.
carrying a muf'led figure in his arms-a
small, fragile form, which he carried as
easily as if it had been that of child. This
slender figure, half buried in large Rob
Roy shawl, he placed with infinite care in
one of the seats farthest from the door; then
he ran back to the waiting room for more
wraps, pillow and foot warmer He ad-
ministered with womauly tenderness to the
comfort of the invalid, who reciined mo-
tionleSs and silent in her corner. and then.
hurried and agitated in the imminent depart
ure of the mail, he stood at the door of the
carriage talking to Mr.. Caulfield, who had
taken his seat in the opposite corner to that
occupied by the invalid.
"You are more than good" said the
stranger. Don't talk to her; she is low and
nervous, and you viii agitate her painfully
if you force her to falls. dare say she will
dozs all the way. 1t is only an hour from
here to Milldals, and no stoppage till you
get there. Oh, by the way, kindly take this
bottle, and if she should turn faint OF giddy
on the way give her few drops of the con-
tents. There goes the flag. VIII you allow
me to offer you my card am deeply in
dehted Good-nirht