The advocate., 1894-05-09

shall do whatever ought to be done. I
bear some relationship to Lena, you
know"
"True, true, Halle. 1 know you
will do what is for the best. But am
quite nervous; Lena is all have left. .
"lf you have no serious objection,
Aunt Halle, l would like to 20 with
you, said Mason. GAS used to know
MIR. Cotterell, l might be of some ser
vice, perhaps" /"
Certainly" said the Major.
"The very thing" said Graham, who
had not the slightest suspicion that
Mason might view favorably Lena's
scandalous impropriety in "mixing
up" with poor people who had got into
the reprehensible habit of working for
a living.
81 am sure l shall be delighted to
have you go, Marshall" said Mrs. De-
lorme, who alone understood Mason's
views. 81 know nothing of the local.
ity, and it might be very desirable to
have a man around. Then, too, you
are a stranger, and your relationship
will excite no comment. Let us go to-
gether, by all means.''
At Mrs. DelOrme's suggestion, the
carriage and driver were dispensed
with, and Mason and she took an un-
ostentatiOus ph8tOn instead.' They
arrived at Ruble's about II o'clock. It
was Sunday, and people who were Cot
tereus friends, or who were merely
curious, were constantly coming and
going, or collecting in little groups in
the scanty front yard, at the dilapi-
dated fence, or in the road, or in the
grove opposite. The distinguished
looking" man and the handsome
woman, so Enthusiastically belonging to
the upper world, attracted much atten-
tion as they alighted at the tumble
down gate. They were observed from
the house, also; and as Mrs. DelOrme
stood waiting for Mason, who was
seeking some object to which to hitch
the horse, Lena hastened down the
walk and greeted her aunt. This incl
dent raised the curiosity of observers
to an almost uncomfortable height; but
it was not appeased by any remark the
people could OVerhear with even hair
triggered ears. Mason soon came up,
and Mrs. DelOrme, speaking in a we'll
bred low tone, said:
Elena, my nephew and your cousin,
the Rev. Marshall Mason, of whose ex-
pected coming told you yesterday"
"And Mr.. COtterell's FRIEND" added
Lena, as she gave Mason her hand.
eyes, and Mr.. Cotterell found him
for me" said Mrs. Delorme. GLOW is
Mr.. COtterell? Marshall and | were
entirely ignorant of the dreadful affair
until we learned of it from the morn
ing paper an hour ago."
"The paper? | have not seen it, nor
thought OF it. They do not get it here;
they are very poor, you know. But
how good these poor people are!''
Then, with look of sincere aston
ishment:
"Can it be possible, Aunt Halle,
that it was only yesterday you were
expecting Cousin Mason? and that it
was only last evening that-Why, it
seems to me to have been weeks ago"
Eyes, it was only yesterday. Can we
see Mr.. COtterell if we go imp"
ellis physicians gave very strict
orders that he must not see anyone nor
attempt to talk; that he must not be
exposed to the danger of any kind of
excitement. They have not permitted
me to see him since last evening when
they had just brought him here. Oh,
it was so awful He is sleeping now
under the influence of some opiate.'
"The physicians orders must be
obeyed," said Mason. 81 would not for
the world endanger my friends recov-
cry. We can see him another time
did you lodge here last night? ?" in
quired Mrs. Delorme. "The house is so
small l do not see how they could en-
tertain an extra lOdger."
"No. A young woman who teaches
in the public schools and lives a few