Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-29
A DETECTIVE VICAR.
By MISS VI. r. BRADDON.
CHAPTER L
BY THE NIGHT NAIL.


BY THE NIGHT NAIL
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 Garfield with travelling bag in his
hand and comfortable railway rug over
his arm, was walking slowly along the plat
form, peering into the fr,t-class carriages
as he wen. by. IN quest of and solitude
He was a man Of reserved temper. bookish
beyond his wears, and he had horror of
frdng himself imprisoned among five noisy
spirits cottony, horsey, AMI of that bolster
Gus and coarsely spoken temperament which
the fined and gentle parson would have
characterized as rowdy the reverend George
was Christian gentleman, ut so far as it
was possible for his mid nature T o hate any
one. he hated fast young men. He was not
fond Of strangers, in general way. DE en-
dured them, but be did not love them DE
hal fingered on the platform till the train
was wi b three minutes of starting, in the
hope of securing for himself the luxury OF
privacy, but as he long hanl of the station
clock marked the third minute before eleven
he espied an empty ca rage. and was In the
act Of entering it wien a hand was laid very
gently on his sleeve
"Pardon me-, SIR" said somewhat agi-
tated voice. "are you medical mani"
Mr.. Caulfield turned and confron ed man
of sight figure ami mid lie height some
years younger than hImself-a man with
pale face, delicate features, and soft black
eyes; very IN eresting countenance, thought
the curate. The stranger lookr anxious
and hurried.
No" al swered NJ. Caulfeld, Il am a
clerg man"
That is almost as good. MY dear sir,
will YOU do ire a great favora My sister, an
invalid, is travt ling by this train. alone. but
she will be met by friends at Mldale juno
tion. She IS very il-nothing infectious;
chest complaint poor gill. Ii you will af-
ford her the privilege Of your protection,
only as far as NJ lldale, you will oblige me
enormously"
There WAS no time for hesitation. the bell
ringing DANGEROUSLY, peoI le were hur-
rying to their seats.
with pleasure" said the good-n ured
curate, sorry to lose the delight of loneil-
ness, embarrassed at the idea of an IN
known invalid, but far too kind TO shrink
from doing an act o. mercy.
The young man ran to the secend-class
waiting ROOM the door of which was just
opposite, and retu ned almost Immediately,
carry NJ Il nnulsI Inquire In MS 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 infin care in
one of the seats farthest from III door; then
he ran back TO the waiting room for more
wraps, pill ow and foot warmer He adj
IN ni,tered with womanly tenderness to the
comfort of the invalid, who reel ed mo-
tionless and silent in her corner and then,
hurried and ag ated in the imminent depart
ure of the mail, he stood at the door of the
carriage talking to Mr.. Caulfie d. who had
taken his seat in the opposite corner to that
occur led by the invalid
"You are more than good" said the
stranger. "Don't ak to her; she is low and
nervous, and you will agitate her painfully
if you force her to talk. dare say she will
doze all he way. 1t is only an hour from
here to Mil dale, and no stoppage till you
get there. Oh, by the way, kindly take this
bottle, and if she should turn faint or 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. l am deeply in
debted. Goodnight"