The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-10-14

most desirable place in heavy storm.
'It's not very far to CO." said |.
Far enough to give time for a storm
to gather and break" said Shaw.
On the point of departure was con-
scious Of q sort of regret, and almost
repented of the eagerness with which |
had looked forward to my release. But
any thoughts OF this sort were cut short
by the sound of wheels, and the an
nouncement that my cab was ut tho
door.
DR.. Shaw took me to the cab, and
saw me safely settled.
"Good-bye!' he said. '.Don't for
get to come and see me when you can"
IL will certainly come" said l, and
/ fully resolved that l would.
where to, STRIP asked Toplis, the
cabman, trustworthy functionary,
who was generally employed by Shaw.
'.Mr. Beaufoy's Hanover Lodge, Mill
wood-road, Frognal."
Very good, sir"
"You won't get there before the
rain comes on. I'm afraid. Toplisp"
THAT won't come on yet, sir" said
Toplis in the voice of a man who was
accustomed to take rcassuring views of
things in general, especially the catch
ing Of trains for the encouragement OF
fidgety spinstcrs.
With another cordial Goodbye l
left the peaceful precincts ofSt. Bar
limeus's, and, under the care of the
skillful charioteer Toplis, was
soon bowling along tho Edg-
warc-road, en- route to Hanover
Lodge.
For time my busy thoughts and an
ticipations were accompanied by the
noise Of the traffic, but after going
some distance we turned of to the loft,
and then. the farther we went, the
auictcr it became, and I noticed more
than ever the deep stiffness of the air.
from which all the life of sound seemed
to have been sucked up by the prevail
ing electricity. felt it in every nerve;
fairly tingled with it; and under tho
oppression of the atmosphere grad
uaily lost the buoyancy Of expectation,
and began to look forward with some
degree Of anxiety to the unknown life
that lay before me. More and more
oppressive became tho stiffness. The
sudden rush of distant train made me
finch; the roll of approaching wheels,
mistaken for the inevitable thunder,
left mo with my nervous anxiety
disappointed and increased. After
what seemed to me very
long drive, We turned on to road,
which seemed much less frequented
than those we had previously traversed.
Tho wheels jolted unevenly now and
then, and their noise and the fall OF the
horses hoofs were deadened, as ii we
were going along partially grass
grown way. After little while our
speed slackencd. and We pulled up.
"Gate!' shouted Toplis.
..Where are we, Topiis?" called.
This here's Hanover Lodge, sir.
Leastways it's the gate, but it amt
open. Gate.' he shouted again.
.All right.' called gruff voice.
"All right!' said Toplis. at amt
all right, with the rain waiting to
come down.
heard the click of a latch, and then
the cab-doors were thrown open.
'.Ketch hold of my arm, sir" said
the man with the gruf voice. You
must get down here"
'Why don't you open the gate, and
can drive the gentleman up to the
'ouseP" said Toplis wrathfully.
you can drive the gentleman where
you please outside" said thu gruff in
dividual. "But the guv'nor don't
choose to hcv his gravel cut up by a
lot of 'ansom cab 'orses."
"All right, Toplis," said I. 'Here,
take the portmanteau.
A hand took my bag from me; with
a hearty Good afternoon from the
worthy cabman, committed myself to
the guidance Of the strange man.
He took me through small gate
at least, SO judged from the fact that
he seemed to slide through in front of
me, and that touched the post some
| what roughly in passing.
Ills it far to the house?" I asked, for
I felt drop of rain fall on my hand.
''Some bit of way" he answered
surlily.
So said no more. This was rather
disappointing. There was q disagree
able want of consideration in sacrificing
strangers convenience to the appear
ance of the gravel. which struck me as
ludicrous, but, being unable to see, l
felt it the more inexcuseable.
We walked on in silence for some
distance. began to have consider
able respect for the size of MIR. Beau
toys grounds.
"This is large placer" l remarked,
for the silence was oppressive.
My guide gave an affirmative grunt.
i Tnc / hn0 ri ty0f h
ing on, as il seemed under our feet.
.:Whats that?" l exclaimed.
"This 'ere's bridge. The line runs
through the grounds" he replied, and
we rclapsed into silence.
A short abrupt peal of thunder broke
the silence, and then it rolled majestic
ally and long over the sky.
WED best hurry" said my guide,
quickening his pace.
Twas walking close to him, having
refused his arm, cautioning him to lei
me know If any obstacles should occur
in our path; but did not care to rur
without some surer knowledge of my
guide. So kept him down to quick
walk. Big raindrops began to pattel
on my hat and break on my hands, and
to rustic continuously on leaves al
about US.
The man swore to himself. and ]
wondered the moro at the kind Of
gardener Or lodge-keeper that such 9
man as Mr.. Beaufoy employed.
Again tho clouds gave tongue, and
the cry was wrathfully taken up al
about the vault of heaven.
Come on, sir; there's the house, >
said my guide.
''How far?'
Fifty steps. straight across tho gras.
now. d" it, | don't want to get
wet through =
| l would not quicken-out of spite,
fear. ! heard the sound of an opening
door.
There's Miss Beaufoy at the door,
said the man, as the rain began to
come down like a waterfall.
"Come-quick !" cried the clear i'm.
perious tones of Miss Beaufoy's voice,
Jumping at this as an order, my