The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-05-25

erto l had taken simply as good tenn
per and quasi-carelessness / remem-
bered his restlessness, his watchful
anxiety when he first came. and those
eager glances scanning the small world
on the platform when he arrived-rest-
.essness and anxiety which had put
down to the overstrain of London life
and the nervousness resulting. But
now / scarce knew what to think. The
story, as he told it, did not explain
things to my satisfaction, and this less
ened glamour gave me clearer in
sight. But was in cleft stick and
without grounds for hostile action had
l even the wish to take it.
1t was in the bitterest time of the
! winter months when Montgomery one
day said tome quite suddenly: Il must
go over to Lancaster tomorrow"
You'll have a cold drive" said.
He could not ride, SO ] knew he
would not ask for my pony.
How can get trap" he asked.
'Oh, I'll manage that" answered;
land I'll come with you for the sake Of
the outing
/ thought he looked disturbed at this,
but had an uneasy feeling about this
trip. did not want to lose sight OF
my charming ledger, who by this time
owed me for nearly three months
board and lodging, and-I wanted to see
the end of the drama.
"But mean to stop few days." he
| said.
do you? Web, / can come back be-
fore you," continued. AT all events
the jaunt will not be unpleasant, even
in this bitter weather, and we shall en-
JOY it better together"
''All right" said Montgomery, in a
tone that suggested it was all wrong.
/ got the trap, and we set out over
the rough road which the winter rains
and storms had made worse than be-
fore. We were little behindhand to
start with. Montgomery had taken an
unconscionable time to dress, and by
his bulky appearance had stuffed all
he possessed into his pockets. This
| delay lost US our train, and when we
got to the station there was nothing
| for us but darkness and dfsappoint-
ment. There were but two trains out
in the day-this at noon which we had
lost, and one at four o'clock to catch
the up mail train at Lancaster.
What shall we DOE" said, when cur
fiasco was made apparent
To my surprise and Indignation, my
dodgers only reply was a torrent of
about the foulest oaths l had ever
heard from human lips.
Swearing won't help u.s." l said,
gravely, land please remember l am a
clergyman"
Montgomery seemed to pull himself
together upon this, and made an apol-
ogy of a sort.
LET us 60 for drink to the pub"
he said.
''AIl right" answered. ''You have
your drink and I'll have some tea"
We turned up to the little village
! where the Wheatsheaf held out all
manner of promises of good cheer for
man and beast. In the bar parlor we
found among others old Bob Liant,
lounging about as usual. As we en-
tered and gave our orders-Mont-
gomery for his brandy and l for my
| teal saw the old fellows eyes fixed
on my companion with an anxious
scrutiny. After minute he went out,
and could see through small pane
let into the door what Montgomery
! could not-the old constable alter
nately reading a sheet of paper and
looking at Montgomery.
Then he went into the street, and
watched him go into the post Office,
which was also telegraph office.
Was there any connection between
this and his scrutiny of my lodger?
We were lingering about the place,
Montgomery resolute to go to Lam
caster by the four o'clock train. and
as resolute to wait at Fellside with
him-I thought to his chagrin-when
the noise of an engine painting into the
station was heard. 1t was at an en-.
tirely uncovenanted hour, and it meant
a special. 1t meant something more;
for presently two policemen walked
up the cobble-paved street and turned
into the Wheatsheaf, accompanied by
Bob Liant. My ledger and l had gone
back there for shelter from the rain
which was falling steadily.
When they entered / saw Montgom.
cry start, turn white. and as it were
COVER. The elder of the two came
up to him and tapped him on the
shoulder.
II arrest you in the queens name,"
he said, ''for stealing Lady Asplin's
Jewels
Stealing / cried; and knew that
was as white as my friend, my charm
irr Lode