The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1893-12-02

as 1alr.S and modest as a violet and
she seemed very much interested in
something that CLAY erlng was saying
Dunbar bit his lip in vexation He
fell out of conceit with himself with
the whole world. Why must he be
fated to a long visit with the spinster
at his side, with her girlish affectation;
her dress far too youthful for her years;
and that endless flow Of small-very
small talk? He groaned. He felt an
insane desire to reach Chicago; the
sooner the better. I'D
The trip was only ten hours in dllra-
ton. The train steamed on, and at his
side the lady's tongue ratified OH and
on, like the traditional brook. ..for-
ever -.r n.
Roy consulted a time-t table. If moth
ing delayed them they would reach
Chicago in three hours. :.~+-.... .
Thank heaven!" he muttered.
But something did occur. A freight
train had been wrecked, and their train
must wait until the wreck ahead was
cleared of the debris. Poor Roy, feel
ing that there was no escape, gave him.
self up to the inevitable
Il suppose you are wondering, Mr.
Dunbar" the lady beside him was say
ing, chow I recognized you so quickly
when you entered the train? I was
not thinking Of such thing as meet
ing yCu-of course net; but the moment
you entered the car knew you! We
met several years ago at an entertain
m:ent in New York; of course, you
have forgotten"
Roy murmured some polite equivo-
cation, but a sense of contempt for the
palpable mjsstaten,ent ,overcame him.
For why should she not have expected
him since her brother had placed him
in Roy's charge? He remembered,
then, for the first time, that Frank
Bonner was the pcssessor of half
sister many years his senior, and Frank
was ne arly forty.
How slowly the time wore away I'M
til the necessary delay was over, and
then once more the train went steam-
ing swiftly on to the great White City.
Roy gathered courage. He would soon
be there, and his penance ended.
All this time, Clavering had been ab.
sorbed in his bewitching companion so
that he had never once approached
Roy, while Roy felt so chagrined over
his position that he. wisely concluded to
keep out Of Clavering's way And
there sat Clavering-confcund Claver-
irg-looking as happy as a king, with
that fair face uplifted while she smiled
as though amused at something that
Clavering was saying.
Chicago at last! Sitting an exclama-
ton Of relief, Dunbar arose.
"Your friends are to meet you, I
understand, Miss Bcrner?'' he observed.
''Allow me!''
And he seized upon her elaborate
travelling bag with suspicious haste. She
looked surprised.
"No, there will be no one to meet
me-" she returned II am quite able
to take care Of myself, Mr. Dunbar.
Besides, I have my niece to look after
Miss Marguerite Bonner, same name as
my own. I found her all ready to start
for Chicago when I arrived at my broth
ers house on a visit. l live in New
York, you know. She was going alone,
too, depending upon the possible escort
OF some young man from 4 neighbour
ing town-a stranger to her-but
friend of her brother. T declared at
once that she should go with ME: the
child needs a vacation, and shall have
it. So we started. In the car we were
separated; but she has had a pleasant
travelling companion in Mr.. Clavering,
iuu-Ou, let NE uCTOuuCe YOU!
Roy Dunbar never knew how he got
through that introduction and the
scenes which followed. An explana-
ton made all the party laugh heartily,
and after that there was no more for
mality.
The weeks Of pleasant companionship
that followed had their own effect upon
Roy Dunbar. The result is briefly
summed up in the dainty wedding cards
which lie upon the desk before me:
marguerite Bonner and Roy Dunbar.
September Goth, 1893"