Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-11-22
The Mystery Of a Hanson Cab
BY FERGUS w. HUME.
CHAPTEI. XVIII.

true one He had been nearly a week in
town, yet could not make up his mind to &c
and see Calton, and though morning after
morning he set out with the determi.
nation to go straight TO Chancery lane
yet he never arrived there He had gone
back to his lodgings in East Melbourne
and passed his time either in the house or in
taking long walks in the garden, or along
the banks Of the muddy Yarra. When he
did go into town, on business connected with
the sale of his station, he drove there and
back in hanson, for he had a curious
shrinking against seeing any of his friends.
As soon as his station was sold, and he mar
ried to Madge, he determined to leave Aus
tralia, and never set foot on it again. But
until he could leave the place he saw no one,
nor mixed with his former friends, so great
was his dread at being stared ut Mrs.
Sampson, who had welcomed him back with
shrill EXPLANATIONS of delight, was loud in
her expressions Of disapproval as to the way
he was shutting himself up.
"Your eyes bein ollow," said the sympa-
thizing cricket, lit is nat'ral as it's want of
air, which my 'usbands uncle, being drug.
gist an well to do in Collingwood, ses as 'ow
want of ox-eye-gent, being French name,
rs e called the atmispeare, were fearful for
pullin' people down, an maxim 'em go of
their food, which you hardly eats anythin'.
an not bein' a butterfly it's expected as your
appetite would be larger"
"Oh, I'm oil right" said Brian, absently,
lighting cigarette and only half listening
to bis landlady's garrulous chatter; "but if
any one calls tell them I'm not in. don't
want to be bothered by visitors"
"Bein' as wise a thing as Solomon ever
said" answered Mrs. Sampson. energetiually,
(which no doubt e was in good 'ealth when
seein' the queen of Sheber, as is necessary
when any one calls, and not feelin' disposed
to speak, which Pm often that way myself
on occasions, my sperits bein' low, as I've
card tell soder water ave that effect on 'em
which you takes it with dash of brandy,
tho to be sure that might be the cause Of
your want Of life, and-drat that bell, p" she
finished, hurrying out of the room as the
front door bell sounded. (which my legs is
a-givin way under me thro bein' over
worked"
Meanwhile Brian sat and smoked content
edly, much relieved by the departure of Mrs.
Sampson with her constant chatter; but he
soon heard her mount the stairs again, and
she entered the room with telegram, which
she handed to her lodger
"'Opin' it don't contain bad moose" she
said, as she retreated to the door again.
Tearing open the red marked envelope, it
turned out to be from Madge, saying that
they had come back to town and asking him
down to dinner that evening Fitzgerald
folded up the telegram, then rising from his
seat, walked modify up and down the room
with his hands in his pockets.
'So he is there" said the young man
aloud; land shall have to meet him and
shake hands with him, knowing all the time
what he is. If it were not for Madge I'd
leave this cursed place at once, but after the
way she stood by me in my trouble should
be a coward if did So" .,,
1t was as Madge had predicted f and
was unable to stay long in one plae~ flor
Brian had arrived The pleasant party at the
station was broken up, and, like the graves
OF household, the guests were scattered far
and wide. Paterson had left for New Zea-
land en- route for the wonders of the Hot
lakes, and the old colonist was about to start
for England in order to refresh his boyish
memories Mr.. and Mrs Rolleston had come
back to Melbourne, where the wretched Felix
was compelled once more to plunge into poll
tics, and !I3r Chinston had resumed his usual
routine of fees and patients.
On receiving Madge's telegram, Brian dc.
termined to go down in the evening, but not
to dinner, so he sent reply to Madge to that
erect. lie did not want to meet Mark
Frettlby, hut did not. of course, tell this to
Madge, so she had her dinner by herself, as
her father had gone in to his club, and the
time OF his return was uncertain After din
ner she wrapped light cloak round her and
went out on to the veranda to wait for her
lover, Tho garden looked charming in the
moonlight, with the black, dense cypress
trees standing up against the sky and the
great fountain splashing cool and silvery.
There was heavily folaged oak just by the
gate, and she strolled down the path and
stood under it in the shadow, listening to the
whisper and rustic of its lnultitudinous
leaves. 1t is curious the unearthly glamour
which moonlight seems to throw over every
thing, and though Madge knew every flower,
tree and shrub in the garden, yet they ali
looked weird and fantastical in the cold,
white light. She went up to tho fountain,
and seating herself on the edge, amused her.
water and lrttinT it fall. like silver rain
O2ri iht" the Ir!"..! While this engaged s!!t
heard The IRON CUTE open and shut with u
clash, and springing TO her feet saw gentle
man coming up the path in a light coat and
soft wideawake hat
"Oh, it's you at last, Brianf' she cried us
she ran down the path to meet him "Why
lid you not coi!e beforel'
"Not being Brian, can't say" answered
ler fathers voice
Madge burst out laughing.
what an absurd mistake" she cried
why, thought you were Brian"
"Indeedl"
"Yes; in that hat and coat couldn't tell
he difference in the moonlight
"Oh. said her father, with laugh, push
ng his hat back, moonlight is necessary to
complete the spell, supposeF
"Of course" answered his daughter. "Tf |
here was no moonlight, alas for loversr"
"Alas, indeed" echoed her father. 'sThey
you'd become sG extinct as the moa: but
Vhere are your eyes, Puss, when you take an
Id man like me for your gay young Lochin-
arp
"Well, really, papa" answered Madse,
eprecatingly, you do look so like him in
hat coat and hat that | could not tell the
ifference till you spoke"
Nonsense, child" said Frettlby, roughly,
you are fanciful" And turning on his heel
Q walked rapidly toward the house, leaving
ladge staring after him in astonishment, as
'ell she might, for her father had never
ooken to her so roughly before Wondering
the cause of bis sudden anger, she stood
'ellhound until there came step behind her
nd soft, low whistle. She turned with a
'ream and saw Brian smiling at her.