Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-29

with very old friend who had Just come
home from India, in his rooms near Jer-
myn street. This, it must be said, was
perfectly true, and, of course, Mr..
Straightway could offer no valid obiec-
tion, as Baxter had done all his work for
the day. The next day, however, Tom
skunk off to a telegraph office, and in
| guilty haste dispatched a wire to the ef-
feet that he was suffering from o severe
attack of lumbago, but would, if possible
return in the evening.
By IL o'clock he was at Lords. The
mere sight of the ground 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 GER
tain to meet any number of his old
friends, ana that the whole proceeding
was extremely risky, but he consoled
himself with the thought that as Mr..
Straightway rarely if ever went into So
ciety of any sort. he was not at all likely
to hear anything about it. So he en-
sconced himself in the pavilion and
awaited the beginning of the play with
pleasurable impotence. The Heathcotes
were all enthusiastic cricketers, and he
counted on their appearance by II 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 a
position on the drag by the side of Miss
| Alice, the warmth of whose greeting ut
once speedily banished all fears and
qualms of conscience from his breast
Nothing in fact, could have been more
perfect than Mr.. Baxter's happiness up
to the luncheon interval. His stentorian
well hit" or well bowled" could be
heard one hundred yards away. He
| nlonna6 his hon1a etnpnnal
his hat like the veriest schoolboy, and
meanwhile he was unremitting in his at
tention to the girl of his heart. Two
o'clock struck.
The bell rang for lunch, and the occu-
pants of Mr.. Heathcote's drag prepared
for the substantial meal which forms SO
prominent a feature of the two great
matches at Lords. Tom by no means
despised creature comforts. Mr.. Straight
ways curates were expected, at all events
when with him on duty, to follow their
wears example in asceticism, so q good
lunch was very acceptable 10 him. He
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 unheeded to the ground.
1t was too true. Beside the very mex
drag, talking to a gentleman on the bo,
seat, stood tall, lean man, in clerical at
tire, whose figure was horribly familiar ts
the guilty curate. He could not be mis-.
taken; it was Septimus Straightway
though what could have brought the rev
erend gentleman to Lords was beyond
Toms imagination. The vicar had hi
back turned, and evidently did not sus
pect his curate's proximity. instant
fight was the only hope.
Good gracious, Toni" cried Mis-!
Alice. what on earth is the matter? Yor
look as white as a sheet"
Il don't feel very we'll, dear. Excuse
me one minute" stammered Mr.. Baxter
And he rose hurriedly, upsetting his
plate, and jumped to the ground. Just
MS he reached terra firma he saw the
clergyman shaking hands with his frienG
on the box-seat; he was turning toward
Mr.. Heathcote's drag; in another second
detection would follow. Tom glanced
hurriedly round, the door of the drag
was open and no one was looking. He
accordingly plunged in head foremost,
shut the door, and to make assurance
doubly sure, pulled up the wooden blind.
Then he breathed more freely, But what
on earth would tho Heathcotes Think
A confederate was absolutely necess ry.
The Heathcotes' family butler, Mr.. Binns,
was an old friend of Toms and might
be relied upon Baxter espied Binns
opening bottle of champagne and at
tracted his attention as noiselessly as
possible.
-Binnsl" he whispered. in great agita.
tion, please say to Miss Alice that / an
not well, and that have gone to take
walk, to bathe my head-say anything
Binns-but for mercy's sake don't let hel
know that I'm in here. Don't let anybody
know. You won't tell, will your" he con
tinued, piteously.
Mr.. Binns thought that Tom was off hi
head, but his impassive face betrayed n
surprise.
Certainly, Sir Any other message2"
No! that will do-and, Binns, com
PACK PACK here at once; want you to do some
"Yessir."
Inc message caused some little sur
prise and much sympathy.
Poor fellowi" said Miss Alice: "it oil
comes from working SO hard in thos
terrible slums, and never taking q holi
day."
When Binns returned, Tom asked hin
in the same agitated whisper;
Did you notice a tall, thin gentleman
"a MISUNDERSTANDING beside the dral
just nowp"
'Yessir."
DO you see him now?"
-. Yessir," said Binns, almost whispering
hes a standing close here"
Good gracious!" murmured Tom
Look here! come and tell when he
gone"
3 And Tom pulled up the other woodel
' bind halfway and covered on the foo
= among the cushions and dust cloaks. /
8 was terribly hot and stuffy, but he daret
3 not move until Binns returned and tha
, per onage was absent for no less thai
half an hour by Toms watch. The can
tive was growing desperate, when at las
above the blind