Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-19

O1 all, Cn0 iuOo8tsAAOnOio, niAA'ce AAuSAAAs able sense of utt>sr, quiet loneliness that seemed to surrouad her.
 "There is generally fly sent to meet this train," he said to her in a kindly, pleasant voice; "but it is not here to- night. of course, because it is wanted. I shall be calling at the Leopard on my way back. May send one around for you then?"
 Lina-because he spoke so gently and so warmly to her-half turned away her face, for fear of those tears that wero so near her eyes tonight, and so saw noth- ing of the grave and pitiful gaze he bent upon her.
 "I am come to meet my sister and my little nephew" he went on. "H you are going in our direction"
 "I am going to High Athelston," re- piled Lima, glnncing up at last.
 "Ohl" said Col. Stuart; and she de- tected an almost accent of pity in his gentle, genial tones. "Lady Athelston is an invalid, and rather forgetful; so you will, I'm sure, excuse her not hay ing sent the carriage. She will be mort fled when she recollects."
 Lima smiled, knowing the words were intended to cheer her; and just at that moment carriage was heard rolling up to the station-gate. A quick, authori- tativo voice called the station master by name, then whistled summons which the greyhounds were quick to answer.
 Lina's breath came little quicker. Was some one come now to take her to her new, strange home? She heard the station master whispering when he led the dogs out, and she guessed that he was telling their master how she was waiting there to be conveyed to High Adhesion. Her cheeks burned hotly when she caught the impatient answer.
 "Best thing she can do, too. Send for fly from the Leopard. What is the use of detaining me? My horses can not stand here all night. Now, Ridley, look sharp after Coquette; she is at her old tricks. An, Stuart you here?"
 Then the loud tones ceased, and Lima Chester knew that the gentleman who had for ten minutes been her companion was conferring with Sir Neil Athelston in a semi-whisper, as the station-master had done, and on the same subject. The answer was less impatient now, but more careless.
 "Not very likely, Stuart. It's not in my line nor can spare Ridley to go round by the Leopard. Send fellow from here I'm too internally tired to drive myself"
 The sad, girlish face beside the smold- ering fire grew winter and winter, while Col. Stuart pleaded again. Then the answer was little quieter, though even more selfish.
 "Very well. Here, Ridley, go round to the Leopard for a cab ; and make haste, man. I cannot wait so you may drive home on it. I wish to heaven, Stuart, that the old lady would remem- Der to give her own orders. I hope this girl has a memory long enough to serve for both."
 Without a word of reply, Col. Stuart re-entered the ofiice and spoke quietly to Lima.
 "Sir Neil Athelston's servant has gone to hasten the fly. It is too cold for you to drive three miles in. a dog-cart, as Sir Neil himself is doing, ,Iwith his dogs" |" Lima had understood it all too we'll for any smile to visit her eyes or lips in answer to his, and she was glad when another train dashed into the station and Col. Stuart went out to meet it.
 It was while she sat once more wait ing alone, that the same imperative voice called to the station-master, while from the door in the booking office opposite that which led to the platform "a gentleman advanced and inpatient | ly looked round him in the dimness. A tall gentleman, Lima saw he was, as he | came on into the light-tall and broad shouldered, with Saxon face, hand- | some though indolent and sensual a | thick, fair mustache strong, blue eyes and short. curling, light hair.
 "Where the deuce Is that fellow ?" | Sir Neil Athelston gave start-a real stnrt. thought was imperceptible to Lima then came on easily, and stood beside the fire opposite her. A certain super ficial, scornful expression, which was habitual to him, gave place to a deep in- tentness as he looked into the girls face, he raised his hat with Q slow, satisfied | smile.
 "A dismal waiting-room, he said, and his tone, though eondescending, was a little eager, too.
 No answer. This was Sir Neil Athel- | ston, and Lima remembered how he had spoken of her on the platform, both tc the station-n.aster and to Col. Stuart.
 "H l understand aright I have the pleasure of addressing Miss Chester. If so, may I drive her to High Athel ston?"
 "No, thank you," answered Lima feeling her loneliness most keenly al that moment. "You said that to wait for the cab was the best thing I coulG do."
 Sir Neil laughed, but spoke still more eagerly, with his eyes fixed on theyoune white face. "You had better come Miss Chester; do let me drive you. ] did not intend you to wait in this hole,
 "You are too tired to drive even your self," Lima said, raising her eyes fully to his for the first time. "Beside, it i not in your line, you said."
 "Pray pardon those stupid words 0 mine," said Neil Athelston, flushing hot ly and feeling awkward as he never re membered having done before; actual, forgetting for that moment that he wa at present the idol of many Londo, drawing-room, and withal the handsom est young Baronet in half dozen coun ties. "It is unkind of you to recal those absurd speeches of mine," he add ed, feeling terribly anxious now to vii