Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-11-28
:. AnuMIIiII VOL

was to meet her as soon as the presentation
was over. That, too, was impossible, for
could not hope to be released in less than
two hours. 1 recalled too-and the recol-
lection gave me a moments fright-that
she had said to me in her fathers and Ma
sons hearing, in jest, of course:
IF you stay too long with your chums,
Harry, l shall conclude that you do not
want me next day"
was doomed to stay too long, but not
even the widest flight of imagination could
have converted DIR. 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 n marriage bell
The messenger dispatched to Wimbledon
returned at last. My straining ears could
detect that the doctor met him ut the door,
and that hurried colloquy took place in
the hall. put on my gloves and hat and
was ready to start as the doctor entered.
MY man has seen Mr.. Mason, - he said,
land he assures him he never heard of you
befOre-knows nothing ut all about you"
Here was n thundcrclap. 1 began at
length to think that must be subject to
decisions, to wonder If Mrs. Hall could
possibly be my wife, and, if SO, who in
the world l myself was / felt that that
way madness lay and sought TO collect
my scattered senses. The doctor was sym
pathetic, after a 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 1 tell you so?"
too much, / mean, for my equanimity.
Acting on his suggestion, i tried to swal-
low n mouthful 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, If / could not get out, there was lit
tic 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 rccumbent position. heard
every hour strike all through the night.
At II l half expected it to strike IS and
recalled the story of the sentry ut the Tow
or of London who saved his life by proving
that he heard n 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 ana knew the great city was once
more stirring into life, and when at last 6
rang out sharp and clear ii was with n
sigh of infinite relief l thanked heaven
That the long night was over.
l rose and dressed, after fashion. sud
denly heard carriage drive up. y few
moments more. and l was summoned
down stairs and ushcrcd into the room
knew too we'll for my peace of mind.
Judge of my relief TO find there Mr..
Spcncely and Bob Edwards. There was
no question now of my sanity. had been
made the victim of n clever schcmer, who
had got clear off with her booty.
And how were You to be paid, doctorf''
Mr.. Spcnccly asked as We prepared to so.
My terms are quarterly in advance,
and Mrs. Hall paid 80 down. BY JOvc,
l did not examine the note particularly.
She was quite lady you know" And
here the doctor looked foolish enough to
qualify for u passive position in his own
establishment.
The note proved all right Mr. spence.
~ 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, Tor the police sta
tions had not been omitted. As a last re-
end were CanVa>sed. and with success.
Ella had been in Mysteries. hut was rccov-
cring.
Our wedding came on at the time
originally fixed. though fear that neither
OF lis looked rs radiant rs the proverbial
bride and bridegroom. Our vigil had told
upon Us both.
On our return IIOIu the honeymoon Mr..
Mason explained that il was II brother of
his who had seen the messenger l sent
from DR.. fitZsimmOns He himself by
some unluCky chance happened TO be from
home NJ the timc.-London Tit