Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-09-27
CalriStOls Gift.
ny HUoH CONWAY.
PART I.
TOLD BY fHnIp BRAND, NJ. D., LONDON.

ao6D III HILL BRAND, Nj. d.. ONDDN
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The message was brief:-"Mr. Carr Is seri
ously Ill. Come at once. You will be met in
London"
Madeline did not scream or faint. She gave
one low moan of pain, set her teeth. and with
the face OF onei in a dream drove as quickly az
she could TO Calendar, straight 20 the rail.
way station.
Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, she
had money with her, so she did not waste
time In going 10 Mr.. Douglas. In spite of the
crushing blow she had received the girl had
all her wits about her. A train would start
In ten minutes time. She took her ticket.
then found an idler outside the station. and
paid him TO take the pony and carriage back
10 the farm, with the message as repeated to
Carriston.
The journey passed like a long dream. The
girl could think of nothing but her lover, dy-
Ing, dying perhaps dead before she could
reach him. The miles flew by unnotlced;
twilight crept on; the carriage grew dark; at
tast--London at last! Miss Rowan stepped
out on the broad platform, not knowing what
10 do or where to turn. Presently a tall well.
dressed man came up to her, and removing
his hat, addressed her Dynamo. The promise
rs TO her being met had been kept.
She clasped her hands. ''Tell mech tell
me, he Is not dead" she cried.
"Mr. Carr is not dead. lie is III, very i'll
1elirious and calling for you"
Where Is he? oh take me TO himr'
HE Is miles and miles from here-at a
friends house. | have been deputed TO meet
you and 10 accompany you, II You feel strong
enough 10 continue the journey at once"
Come" said Madeline. Take me to
him."
Your ~luggage?" asked the gentleman.
VI have o n Conner
"You must take some refreshment."
81 need nothing. Conner
The gentleman glanced at his watch,
There Is just time" he said. He called a
cab, told the driver TO go at top speed. They
reached PaddingtoD just in time TO catch the
mail
During the drive across London Madeline
asked many questions, and learnt from her
companion that Mr.. Carr had been staying
for a day or two at a friends house In the
West OF England. That yesterday he had
fallen from his horse and sustained such in
Iuries that his life was despaired Of. He had
been continually calling for Madeline. They
had found her address on a letter, and had
t~elegraphed as soon spossible-fdr which act
Miss Rowan thanked her companion with
tears in her eyes
Her conductor did not say much of his w
accord, but In replying to her questions he
was politely sympathetic. She thought of
little outside the fearful picture which filed
every corner OF her brain, but from her con-
duc.or's manner received the impression that
he was a medical adviser who had seen the
sufferer, and assisted in the treatment Of the
case. She did not ask his name, nor did he
reveal ii.
At Paddington he placed her in a ladies'
carriage and left her.
He was a smoker, he said. She wondered
somewhat al this desertion. Then the train
sped down West. At the large stations the
gentleman came to her and offered her re-
freshments. Hunger seemed 20 have left
her; but she accepted a cup OF tea once or
twice. At last sorrow, fatigue, and weak
ness produced by such a prolonged fast had
their natural effect. With the tears still on
her lashes the girl fell asleep, and must have
slept for many miles; a sleep unhroken by
stoppages al stations.
He conductor at last aroused her. lie
stood at the door Of the carriage. 1--WE must
get out here" he said. All the momentarily-
forgotten anguish came back 10 her as she
stood beside him on the almost unoccupied
platform.
Are we there at last?' she asked,
II am sorry TO say we have still a long
drive: would you like 20 rest frstP"
"No-no. Come on, if you please" Sine
spoke with feverish eagerneSs
TIL man bowed. "A carriage waits" he
said.
Outside the station was a carriage OF some
sort, drawn by one horse and driven by q
man muffied up 10 the eyes. 1t was still
night, but Madeline fancied dawn could moi
be far of. Her conductor opened the door OF
the carriage and waited for her TO enter.
She paused. ASK him-that man mus,
know if"
IL am most remlss," said the gentleman.
He exchanged q few words with the driver
and coming back, told Madeline that Mr..
Carr was still alive, sensible, and expecting
her eagerly.
'Oh, please, please drive fast" said the
poor girl, springing into the carriage. The
gentleman seated himself beside her, and fol-
a long time they drove or in silence. At last
they stopped. The dawn was just glimmer
ing. They alighted in front of a house. The
door was open. Madeline entered swiftly,
(which ~way-which way?" she asked. She
was too agitated to notice any surroundings
her one wish wa to reach her lover.
ALLOW me-" said the conductor, passing
ter. This way; please follow me-" he
went up a short fight Of stairs, then paused
and opened a door quietly. He stood aside
for the girl to enter. The room was dimly
lit, and contained a bed with drawn curtains
Madeline flew past her travelling companion,
and, as she threw herself on her knees beside
the bed upon which she expected TO see the
helpless and shattered form of the man she
loved, heard, or fancied she heard, the door
locked behind her.
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