The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-12-12
SMITH <& BRIGHAM.

from London. She rang for her maid.
Parker"
"Yes ma'am."
"The mail goes at s from Charing
Cross, think?"
at used to go at 8, ma'am," said
Parker, cautiously. "When we went
away, if you remember"
"Yes, yes of course. want you to
pack bag for yourself and we will
catch the mail tonight"
"Catch the mail, ma'am, tonight"
"Yes, yes. Lose no time please, and
send out for a cab."
"Well, never!" murmured Parker.
Mrs. Waterhouse had some intention
of having one fine, big, square scene
with her husband before she left, but
there was little time to spare. More
over,it occurred to her that she could be
quite as bitter in well-composed letter,
to be dispatched from Biarritz, as in a
hasty interview.
"Come along, Parker" she called.
'It's all very well to say come
along" muttered Parker, discontented-
ly, "but this is a rum sort of a game, and
don't 'alf cotton to it."
"We've got twenty minutes. Tell the
man to drive carefully, but to drive
very fast"
The most CALLING thing about the
whole deplorable affair was the cer-
tainty that her mother would meet her
at the station with an II told you SO,
my poor lamb" expression. Still there
was no one else to whom she could go,
and, at any rate, she could always
control mamma. She had always done
so.
Charing Cross.
"The mail. lidyp" said the porter,
civilly. "The mail goes at ite fifteen.
It's later'n it use to be-"
Parker, will you get some papersP
Get one or two for yourself, you know"
Parker, still rather inclined to be
cross, went to the bookstall. 1t half re-
stored the excellent maid to complacent
submission to what she termed all this
| ramping about to find the new number
of the Lady's O0n Chatterbo1 on sale.
1t was her own particularly fayorite
journal.
We'll get in now, Parker, said Mrs.
Waterhouse. There's twenty minutes
to wait but we may as well take our
seats. Seconds, please, porter"
They found comfortable corner seats.
For while they watched the stout, per-
| spring ladies and the slim daughters
and the pet dogs. The usually demure
| Parker sniggered SO much when she
saw two Frenchmen kiss each other that
she dropped the Lady's Oo0'e Chatter6oG.
Mrs. Waterhouse took it up and held it
in her hand.
Il must read" she whispered to her.
self. Il must do something to keep my
self from thinking. / shall faint if
don't divert my thoughts.
The Lady's Oo0e CkatterboG lay on her
lap. She put one small foot against the
seat opposite, and leaned forward to get
the steady glare of the electric light on
the page.
Amy more going on?" cried the in
spector on the platform, aggressively.
1--WE commence this week story by
| a new writer, Walter House, entitled
Alicia's Only Love- 1t will be replete
with romantic interest and, in short, a
wonderful picture of high-class life of
the present day, with all its faults and
| foibles."
"Now then." cried the inspector on
the platform, in an aggrieved tone to q
belated passenger, "are you going on
there, OF are you not going on?"
Mrs. Waterhouse began to read.
Chapter was headed, "The Countess. !"
"Alicia was half-leaning, half-reclin-
ing on an ottoman reading delicately-
scented letter from Sir Harold de Beer.
1t opened thus: i want you, my dear
est, to believe that am quite true to
you. am bound by certain ties to
others. but to you, my sweetheart, my
own darling Alicia"
"Parker!" screamed Mrs Waterhouse,
with a gasp of delight. "Come out
quickly"
"Rig ght away" shouted the inspector,
Stand away there. please"
Here, stop!" cried Mrs. Waterhouse.
She caught up her skirts and jumped
nimbly out. An active porter seized
the bags, and, as the train was move
ing, caught the descending Parker
neatly and swung her round upon her
| feet.
COWS that, umpire?" asked the port
er
"O-u-t. OUT" said the inspector.
He turned his hand lamp to Mrs.
Waterhouse. Hope you're all right,
ma'amP"
Thank you, yes" said Mrs. Water
house, breathlessly. "Tm all right
now" Pail Mall Budget.