Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-11-23
want me next day"

want me next day.
was doomed to stay too long but not
even the widest flight Of Imagination could
have converted DR.. Fitzsimmons into a
chum of anybody. However, Mason would
make all right, and everything would be
properly explained, and all would yet go
merry as marriage bell.
The messenger Dispatched to Wimbledon
returned at last. My straining ears could
detect that the doctor met him at the door,
and that hurried colloquy took place in
the hall. l put on my gloves and hat and
was ready to start as the doctor entered.
MY man has seen Mr.. Mason, p" he said,
land he assures him he never heard of you
before-knows nothing at all about you"
Here was thunderclap. l began at
length to think that l must be subject to
decisions, to wonder if Mrs. Hall could
possibly be my wife, and, if so, who in
the world myself was felt that that
way madness lay and sought to collect
my scattered senses. The doctor was sym
pathetic, after fashion, but his evident
pride in the correctness of his diagnosis
gave him too much the look of one who
would say, "Now, didn't l tell you so?'
too much, 1 mean, for my equanimity.
Acting on his suggestion, tried to swal-
low mouthfui of supper for had tasted
nothing since morning, but it was in vain.
l retired to bed and had the very qualified
satisfaction of hearing more than one door
carefully locked upon me and of feeling
that, II L could not get out, there was lit
tie chance of any unauthorized person get
ting in to disturb me.
Sleep was of course out of the question.
Every passing step in the square made me
start from my reculnbent position. heard
every hour strike all through the night
At IL half expected it to strike 10 and
recalled the story Of the sentry at the Tow
er of London who saved his life by proving
that be heard a church clock strike that
number of times when charged with Sleep
ing at his post. Would save my reason?
My disappearance would be in all the pa
pers tomorrow, and crisp journalistic para
graphs would describe me and dismiss the
subject. At l heard the numbering wag-
ons with their loads of garden produce for
market and knew the great city was once
more stirring into life, and when at last 6
rang out sharp and clear it was with a
sigh of infinite relief / thanked heaven
that the long night was over.
l rose and dressed, after a fashion. Sud-
denly I heard carriage drive up. A few
moments more and I was summoned
down stairs and ushered into the room 1
knew too well for my peace of mind.
Judge of my relief to find there Mr.
Spencely and Bob Edwards. There was
no question now of my sanity. l had been
made the victim of clever schemer, who
had got clear off with her booty.
''And how were you to be paid, doctor?"
Mr.. Spencely asked as we prepared to go.
My terms are quarterly in advance,
and Mrs. Hall paid $50 down. By Jove,
l did not examine the note particularly.
She was quite lady, you know And
here the doctor looked foolish enough to
qualify for passive position in his own
establishment.
The note proved all right. Mr.. Spence
ly took its number, and we set off.
On the way home Bob Edwards, in a
low voice, told me the story of their search
for me in every likely quarter and in
some unlikely ones, too, for the police sta
tions had not been omitted. AS a last re-
source the livery stable keepers in the west
end were canvassed, and with success.
Ella had been in Mysteries, but was recov
ering.
Our wedding came off at the time
originally fixed, though fear that neither
Of us looked as radiant as the proverbial
bride and bridegroom. Our vigil had told
upon us both.
On our return from the honeymoon Mr..
Mason explained that it was a brother of
bis Who had seen the messenger l sent
from Ds, Fitzsimmons'. He himself by
some unluNky chance happened to be from
nome at the tiane.--London Tit-Bits.