The record-union., 1893-10-21

DO you mean that?' he demanded. :.
"She did not answer.
"'You do mean it. You are miserable
here. Together we should be so happy.
Don't say word to me- He spoke lower
and faster. 'Pll not come further with
you now, but listen. Meet me at Char
ing-cross Station tomorrow morning. L
start for Brindisi by the IL O'Clock train,
and | will take you away; l will take
you away to share and to double my hap
piness.'
"He bent as though to kiss her W hite
face. But she turned quickly and hast
ened across the road.
The next morning Mr.. Vernon drove
up to Charing-cross Station. For young
fellow who was about to elope he looked
singularly joy1ess. He was anxious, too.
He did not know whether Mrs. Lumley
would come or not, and in his heart of
hearts-which really wasn't bad heart
after all-he wished to goodness she
wouldn't. But she did.
"Mr. Vernon stood in the station near
the barrier. The II o'clock train was at
| the platform; large, excited. corpulent
foreign ladies were being dragged about
| by frantic little dogs; moustached gentle-
men were gesticulating; there were noun
tains of luggage being wheeled of by
perspiring porters. Mrs. Lumley, In
dark blue travelling dress and coat,
mined look upon her pretty face, in her
hand a book of coupons. They shook
hands, he and she, without word.
"'By your leafp shouted a porter.
They had to stand aside to avoid the Jug
gernaut trolley.
"'And the Protessor?' asked Vernon.
Mrs. Lumley pulled down her veil and
seemed anxious not to be seen. They
were to all appearances the unhappiest
couple on the station.
He has been lecturing down in Kent
she said brokenly. He will be home
this evening"
"They sighed.
"'shall l see to your baggage, sir?1'
said porter respectfully. You've tif-
teen minutes to wait
| "Mr. Vernon turned TO give the man
his orders and found his hand grasped
with extreme cordiality. The grasper
dropped his pince-nez in his excitement.
my dear fellow, Pm SO glad just to
have caught you. Let me congratulate
you on your appointment. / happened
to be able to do something the other day
for Sir Richard, and | mentioned your
name, and the thing was soon done. But
l didn't want to say anything to you be-
| fore it was settled.
Mr.. Vernon's boyish face went very
red.
So 1t is to you, then, Professor, that 1
am indebted
N OF at all; not at all. There is no in
debtedness. l owe you much for all your
kindness to myself and TO-
"a groan escaped from Mr.. Vernon's
! lips. 'Scottp he muttered to himself,
what bounder amp
THE blue-serge figure turned.
Professorp she said.
My dear Aggie,' cried the Professor
with an earnestness quite unusual to
him; now this is thoughtful Of you. You
| got my wlre and you have taken the
trouble to come up here TO meet me. l
/ was afraid there wouldn't be time
There was just time said little Mrs.
Lumley slowly.
There was just time repeated Yer
non, looking vacantly at the bookstall.
He went to buy papers.
My DEAR said the Professor softly.
Frederick
I heard a most painful story down at
| Hastings last night, and it has made me
think. man l once knew neglected his
wife, and she. poor woman-she has just
run away from him. When L heard it
first l took no notice of it. Thinking
over it afterwards, asked myself wheth-
er l had always paid you all the attention
| you had the right to expect
THE face OF the Professor look ed quite
distinguished. The red dents on either
| sue VI tIe Ol LIS nose seem
to matter in the least.
! "'Leps begin to-day. I'll leave my
bag IN the cloak-room and We'll go down
to St. AlDans by COACH
MIR. Vernon returned with an armful
of papers. The porter stood there with
his bags and rugs.
This way, sir. Isn't the lady going?'
THE Professor laughed heartily.
Let me say good-by here, Mr.. Yer
/ non nlpaSn , said littla Nrc
eagerly; we won't come on the platform.
And hope-I hope you'll be very hap
py.'
HE seized her hand with big gasp of
relief.
80 'Good-by. Vernon, good-by, my dear
fellow cried the Professor; good luck
and God bless you.'
land God bless youp said Mr.. Yer
non earnestly, looking at them both. He
ran through the barrier to his train.
Il saw them driving off for the Metro
pole. They were seated close together:
the Professor held her hand furtively
near the rug; in their eyes there was a
look OF content. Ive seen a good bit of
life in my time, and | assure you that if
| hadn't known them | should never have
taken them for man and wife. They
looked more like sweethearts. Kind of
sweethearts, you know, who tumble in
love so deeply that once in they never fall
out again"
The southeast lion begged that this last
sentence might be repeated. The Cam
berwell bus lion obliged, and the south
east lion affected to be much amused and
shook his sides.
'Oh dear, ON dear, oh dearl'' he cried.
Never fall out again." He wiped his
eyes with his paw and simulated extreme
exhaustion. "Oh dear, your splendid
jokes do make me roar."-St. James
Budget.
LIVING LANTERNS I'M TuD Spn