Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-03-01


woman. who was childless. had left her
niece all of which she died possessed.
So Madeline decided to wait quietly un-
til she heard from her lover
Still, there were business matters to
be attended to. and at the funeral, Mr..
Douglas, of Calendar, tho executor I'M
er tho will. had suggested that an
car ly interview would be desirable He
offered to drive out to the little farm the
next day, but Miss Rowan, who had to
ce to some feminine necessaries which
could only be supplied by shops, dec del
that she would come to the town in
stead of troubling Mr.. Douglas to drive
SO far out.
Madeline. in spite of the supcrsttious
element in her character, was a brave
girl. and, in spite of her refined style Of
beauty, strong and healthy. Early
hours were the rule in that humble
home. so before seven o'clock in the
morning she was ready 10 start on her
drive to the little town. At first she
thought of taking with her the boy who
did the rough outdoor work; but he
Was busy about something or other,
and. besides, was a garrulous lad who
would be certain to chatter the whole
way. and this morning M IS Rowan
wanted no companions save her own
mingled thoughts of sadness and JOY.
She knew every inch of the roadside
feared no evil-she would be home
again long before nightfall the pony
was quiet and sure-footed-so away
went Madeline in the strong. primitive
vehicle ON her lonely twelve-mile drive
through the 1a:1 scenery.
She passed few people on the road.
Indeed, she remembered meeting no
one except one or two pedestrian tour
lists, who, like sensible men, were do
ing a portion of their days task in the
early morning. l have no doubt but
Mss Rowan seemed to them a passing
vision of loveliness.
But when she was q mile or two from
CallendaE she saw a boy on a pony.
The boy, who must have known her by
sight, stopped and handed her a. tele-
gram She had to pay several shilling'
for the delivery, or intended delivery,
OF the message SO far from the station.
Tho boy gal1oped away, congratulating
ride, and Miss Rowan tore open the
envelope LETT in her hands.
The message was brief: "Mr Carr is
seriously i'll. 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 one in q
dream drove as quickly as she could to
Callendar straight to tho railway sta
tion.' =
Fortunately, or rather unfortunately,
she had money with her, so she did not
waste time in going to Mr., Douglas. In
spite of the crushing blow she had re-
ceived, the girl had all her wits about
her. A train would start in ten min
ptea' time. She took her ticket. then
found an idler outside the station, and
paid him to take the pony carriage back
to the farm, with tho message as repeat
ed to Carriston.
The journey passed like long
dream. The girl could think of moth
ing but her lover. dying, dying-per-
! haps dead before she could reach HIM.
The miles flew by unnetieed; twilight
crept on; the carriage grew dark; at
last-London at last Miss Rowan
stepped out on the broad platform, not
knowing what to do or where to turn.
Presently a tall, well-dressed man came
| addressed her by name. The promise
as to her being met had heen kept,
She elasped her hands. "Tell me-
oh. tell me he Is not dcadr' she cried.
''Mr. Carr is not dead. He is ill,
very i'll delirious, and calling for you. "
Where is hep Oh, take me to him"
'.He is miles and miles from here at
friends house. l have been deputed
to meet you and to accompany you, if
you feel strong enough to continue the
| journey at once"
Come" said Madeline. "Take me
to him.
"Your luggage?" asked the gentle,
| man.
II have none. Gomez
! :You must take some refreshment.
| II need nothing. Comet"
! The gentleman glanced at his watch.
There is just ume," he said. He
called cab, told the driver to go a!
top speed. They reached Paddington
| just in time to catch the mail.
During the drive across London
Madeline asked many questions. and
learned from her ,ompanion that MIR.
Carr had been staying Tor day or two
gland. That yesterday he had fallen
from his horse AID sustained such in.
juries that his life was despaired of. He
had been continually calling for Made
line. They had found her address on 6
letter, and had telegraphed as soon a.
possible for which act Miss Rowan
thanked her companion with tears il
her eyes.
Her conductor did not say much O
his own accord. but in replying 10 hel
questions he was politely sympathetic
She thought of little outside the fear
full picture which filled every corner O
her brain. but from her conductors
manner received the impression that ht
was a medical adviser, who had seer
the sufferer, and ASST ;ted in the treat
men of the case. She did not ask hi
name, nor did he reveal it.
i At Paddington he placed her in {
ladies carriage and left her. He wa!
smoker, he said. She wondered some
what at his desertion. Then the trar
sped down west At the large stations
the gentleman came to her and Offered
; her refreshments. Hunger seemed t.
have left her. but she accepted cup o
, tea ono, or twice. At last sorrow, ia