Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-04-25

range plot Tor the deception of Mr.
Straightway.
On the day before that on which he
had promised to meet his intended Tom
told his vicar that he was passing the
night with q very old friend, who had
just come home from India, in his rooms
near Jernyn street. This, it must be
said, was perfectly true, and of course
Mr.. Straightway could offer no valid OBJ
lection. as Baxter had done ell his work
for the day. The next day, however,
Tom skunk off to q telegraph Office and
in guilty haste dispatched wire to the
effect that he was suffering from se-
we're attack of lumbago, but would. il
possible, return in the evening.
BY II o'clock he was at Lords The
mere sight of the gronnd.was so welcome
to him that he was determined to spend
as much time there as he possibly could.
He knew, of course, that he would be
certain to meet any number of his old
friends, and that the whole proceeding
was extremely risky; but he consoled
himself with the thought that, as Mr..
Straightway rarely, If ever, went into
society of any sort, he was not at all
likely to hear anything about it. So he
ensconced himself in the pavilion and
awaited the beginning of the play with
plcasurable impatience. The Heathcotes
were all enthusiastic cricketers, and he
counted on their appearance by 12 o'clock
at the latest.
The match commenced in due course,
but upon its varying fortunes it is not
necessary to dwell. The Heathcotes also
arrived, and Tom at once took up posi-
ton on the drag by the side of Miss Alice,
t"t warmth OF whose greeting speedily
ba' iahed all fcGr4 ard qualms of con-
sci ce from his breast Nothing, in
fact, could have been more perfect than
Mr.. BaXtcrs happiness up to the lunch
con interval. His stentorian "well hit"
or "well bovlcd' could be heard hun
dred yards away; he clapped his hands,
stamped and waved his hat like the ver-
est schoolboy, and meanwhile he was
unremitiing in his attention to the girl
of his heart. Two o'clock struck The
bell rang for lunch, and the occupants Of
Mr.. Heathcotes drag prepared for the
substantial meal which forms so promi-
nent Il feature of the two great matches
mt Lords. Tom by no means despised
creature comforts. Mr.. Straightway's
curates were expected, at all events when
with him and on duty to follow their
Wears example in asceticism, so good
lunch was very acceptable to him. lie
had supplied Alice's wants, and was in
the act of lifting to his mouth piece of
salmon, when suddenly he turned pale,
his Jaw fell, his eyes dilated, and the
piece Of salmon, accompanied by the
fork, fell unhceded to the ground
1t was too true. Beside the very next
drag, talking to a gentleman on the box
seat, stood Il tall, lean man, in clerical
attire, whose figure was horribly familiar
20 the guilty curate. lie could not be
mistaken, it was Mr.. Septimus Straight
way, though what could have brought
the reverend gentcl..a to Lords was
beyond TOMS imagination. The vicar
had his back turned, and evidently did
not suspect his curare's proximity, In
stant flight was the only hope.
Good gracious, Tomw cried Miss
Alice, what on earth is the matter?
You look as white as a Sheet"
II don't feel very well, dear. Excuse
me enc minute stammered Mr. Baxter.
And lie rose hurriedly, upsetting his
plate, and jumped TO the ground. Just
as he reached terra firma he saw the
Clergyman shaking hands with his friend
ON the box seat; he was turning toward
Mr., Hcathcote's drag; in another second
detection would follow. Tom glanced
hurricdly round; the door of the drag
was open and no one was looking lie
accordingly plunged in head foremost,
shut the door. and to make assurance
doubly sure, pulled Up the wooden blind.
Then hc hraathed more freely. But what
on earth would the Ileathcotes think?
A confederate was absolutely necessary.
The Heathcotes' family butler, Mr.. Binns,
was an I'D friend of Toms. and might
be relied upon. Baxter espicd Binns
opening II bottle of champaign, and at
uactcd his attention as noiselessly as
possible,
"Bnns!" Inc whispered, in great agita-
tion, please say to Miss Alice that am
not well, and that have gone to take a
walk, to bathe my head-say anything,
Binns-but for IHercy's sake don't let
her know that I'm in here. Don't let
anybody know. You won't. will you?"
he continued, pireously,
Mr.. Binns thought that Tom was off
his head but his impassive face betrayed
no surprise,
'Certainly, sir. Any other meosagcT
NO. that will do-and, Binns, come
back here at once; want you to do
something else
"Yessir."
The message caused some little sur
prise and much sympathy.
poor fellow!' said Miss Alice; lit all
comes from working so hard in those
terrible slums, and never taking holi-
day"
When Bims returned Tom asked him
in the same agitated whisper:
did you notice tall, thin gentleman
"a clergyman-standing beside the next
drag just now?"
YES, sir.
"Do you see nim now:"
Eyes, sir" said Binns; also whisper
ing, "hes a-standing close by
Good gracious!" murmured Tom.