Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-06-08


again, and decided to question the cleri
for information.
Eyes there was telegram came for
you this morning. but of course il was
sent up to Mrs. Donning. No, sir. she
did not leave the telegram here. Moth
ing wrong | hope y the clerk kindly
questioned
II guess not; but owing to that con i.
founded telegram am forced to 90 over
to Brooklyn, and may stay over there all
night" answered Fred.
An hour later he was standing in the
cozy parlor of his mother-in-aw.
Where is Ethel, and what does she
mean by this nonsensical note he i'm
patiently demanded of his surprised
hostess, throwing the note in her lap.
"You are the one to know that" an
swered the old lady, her sweet face
growing pale as she read the daughters
note, and understood the misery Ethel
must have suffered to make such a step.
"Well | don't replied Fred, sitting
down and desperately thinking of all
sorts of abductions and crimes worse,
which might bcfal the unwary. don't
know anything about it. he repeated,
unless Ethel has lost her reason. You
know that is all bosh, mother he said. .
kicking tho cruel note across the room.
you'll just sit down and eat your
supper before you start a STEP" thought
fully commanded the wise counselor,
forcing him lovingly into seat at the
daintily spread table, and afterwards I'll
90 with you. You can rest content th at
wherever she is Ethel can take care of
herself" added her mother, cheerfully.
In spite of all persuasion Fred was
too eager to start on his discouraging
round of inquiry to waste any time, and,
sharing his distress, Ethel's widowed
mother ten minutes later was walking
by his side.
"By Jove, mother" Fred calculated,
II was to meet Will Lack ut tho Man
sion House tonight at 7:30, so I'll have
to leave you in the parlor while ex-
plain matters to him, and perhaps he
can help us out little, If l'm not too
late to sec him.
Fortunately it was his friend who was
behind time, ana, making an etort to
be calm during the interval, Fred seated
himself by his companion in the appar-
emily vacant hotel parlor, throwing his
arm lightly around her as he saw how
despondent the hitherto brave mother
had grown.
Don't worry" he entreated, gently,
holding tho anxious mothers still pretty
hand. 'You know there IS and always
has been but one woman in the world ]
love, and that IS your lovely, but I'M
pulsive -"
A half surprised cry rang through the
room they thought to be unoccupied, OK
cept by themselves. ana the next instant
the heavy Japanese screen standing IN
noticed in the end OF the room was push
ed aside, and from behind its friendly
shelter stepped indignant Ethel.
Three greatly bewlldered people stood
staring at each other IN speechless as-
tonishment.
Ethel" at last gasped that lady's
mother being the first to recover from
tho surprise, "what inexplicable freak
is this !"
ASK him." replied Ethel, pointing
cunning but trembling finger at Fred.
"She did," calmly interrupted that
young man, now himself again that his
other half is at least in sight, she did
but ! must confess that as yet we are
both of us wocfully Ignorant of your
motive in giving us such wild goose
chase" he repeated, provokingly
"Thls Is adding Insult 10 injury, re.
torted Ethel, do you mean to say
Hello, old man. greeted Freds
friend. Will Lacy joining the inter-
estcd group; $50 you got my telegram
this morning e
Heavens, what telegram are you two
idiots botherlng me aboutf I'm sure
mother and ! will feel infinitely obliged
II some one VIII explain -unless you
want us both taken to private retreat
for the incurable.'
Didn't you lind the dispatch, Fred =
quered Ethel, reaching for her hand
kerchlef and pulling the cause oil all the
trouble out OF her pocket.
why here is my message now de-
clared wan Lacy, politely picking up
the telegram and reading 1t aloud.
Dear Fred will meet you as you're
quested at the Mansion at 1880 tonight" "
why, hello, the operator has signed
it Daisy instead of Lacy"
"And of course | thought, dearest
Fred, that-that it was a woman, mur-
husband
"You thought you would run away,