Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-29

ara, interrupted AIucA. fancy you
are aware, my dear Philip, that my
great wish is to see nay nephew and
niece united before die-not only be-
cause am attached to you, but both
and each would then be benefited
equally by what I may be enabled to
bequeath."
"And desire nothing so ardently,"
cried Philip, ''as to call her my wife.
In fact, have loved her ever since
she came from school to reside here"
II have suspected it, Philip. have
suspected it," returned his uncle. play
ing with the double eyeglass which
hung from his neck. But, my dear
boy, am not so sure of her"
II am not without hope. if only no
one comes between u.s." There was
long pause, each being occupied with
his own hopes and fears for the future.
Suddenly Blount exclaimed: Gould
one drive from Paddington to Charing
Cross in half an hour. with q minute or
two to spare?"
Eyes, if the streets were not crowd
ed, and the horse good one. Why do
you ask"
''Oh, ah, only wanted your opinion.
That is, my dear uncle, have an awful
dread of that fellow Everard, and it's
curious, but this morning ] saw note
from him saying he was going to start
for the continent this evening, or some
time to-day. Could it be-" he stopped
abruptly.
"Be what?" asked Mr.. Ardell, put
ting on his glasses to gaze at the
speaker.
Don't laugh at my jealous fancy,
but-but suppose he persuaded Gwen
to accompany him!'
Impossible, STRIP was the indignant
answer. You show your ignorance Of
my niece by such suspicion"
But, uncle, women are so queer and
Eighty, and-and just see how this
wire gives color to my idea! Why
need she send it at all? 1t would have
been no great matter if James had
gone to meet several trains. Was it
not calculated to keep the whole after
noon free? See, there are only three
trains in the day from R, and Ev-
erard could have met her and started
by the mail train for Paris, or God
knows where. He had some power
over her. l heard him say" and
he repeated the story of the ball which
he had told Marling in the morning.
At first Mr.. Ardell was indignant and
incredulous, but as Blount persisted
and insisted on the weakness, gullibil-
ity and fancifulness Of women, espe-
cially young ones, the elder man grew
restless, irritable and clustering.
'Time will show, sir!" cried Blount
at last, looking at the heavy classical
onzeuclock over the fireplace; land
I haven't left myself too much to get
to the station by 1920 God grant
may bring back Gwendoline safe and
sound to you. Imay exaggerate things,
but hardly hope to find her!'
Nonsense, Philip. I believe you
are out of your mind; but you have
made me very uncomfortable, re-
turned Mr.. Ardell, ringing the bell.
"Come back as fast as you can.
Whistle q cab for Mr.. Blount," he cou-
tinued, as James appeared in answer to
the bell.
You must not agitate yourself too
much, my dear uncle" said Blount, ris-
ing and feeling some conjunction at
having worked up his host to such a
pitch of uneasiness, and he left the
room.
A hanson already awaited him, and
he was soon rafting towards Padding
ton.
BY this time he had reached condi-
ton of mind which induced him to seek
comfort by recapitulating his uncle's
arguments against himself.
Suppose his horrible suspicious
proved true. Mr.. Ardell would GER
tainly cut off Gwen with shilling
or, perhaps farthing-possibly all
his uncle's fortune might come to him
But l want Gwen, too" he thought.
81 have always been fond Of her.
There's such go and style about her,
and just lately she has been SO sweet
and friendly. What bright. mischiev-
GUS brown eyes she has. There's no
girl in our set fit to tie her shoes. No,
all the money wouldn't be worth much,
at least not now, if Gwen slipped
through my fingers. Hullo! the arrival
platform. Cabby, mind what you are
about. want to meet the 1920 from
R, and it's 1917 now"
In few seconds he had alighted and
was pacing the platform.
The rush and hustle of the early even
ing trains were over. The great sta
ton looked gloomy and discretionary
few porters were about and the 1920
was evidently thing of no impor-
lance.
Blount paced slowly up and down
revolving the possibilities of his posi-
ton.
Gwen was certainly what is called
girl of spirit, not to say slightly head
strong, and there was no saying what
q young woman of that description
might, could or would do. What mo-
tive had she in sending that mysterious
telegram, if it were not to mask her
movements? Here, porter; isn't the
1920 from R. behind time?"
"Well, it often is-but it's signaled
now, SIR"
A few more uneasy, miserable min