Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-23
TRAGEDY OF A week,
By E. Phillips Oppenheim.
CHAPTER l.

Liverpool?'
The man who had trOlley-load o
lamps to clean before he went off duty
and who was not in the best of tenn
uers, was on the point of giving a cur
reply, when he caught the CLEAN 0
silver between the questioner's fingers
He pulled up short and touched hi
hat
Should have left at 5, sir, but sht
was fifteen minutes late. She's bring
ing some boat passengers, l think, sir
His questioner, a tall, black-beardet
man, heavily clad in a long ulster
nodded, and consulted piece of PINK
paper which he held in his right hand
II have a telegram here from {
friend handed in at the Alexandra
docks. at 4:25," he remarked. II
says: All we'll Just through Gus
toms. Trying to catch o'clock frCn
London & Northwestern station
Would he do it, do you think?"
-Four twenty-five the man re-
peated, doubtfully. Was on the Gun
arder, sir?''
ne SGuIlGuldu FOICC anu "a S01
seemed to denote he was one-nodded,
Eyes, he was on the Umbria."
Hes almost certain to have caught
It then, sir. 1t was for some Cunard
passengers that the express was put
back fifteen minutes. It's just about
fifty minutes drive from the Alexandra
docks to the station. You'll find your
friend on this train right enough, sir,
The agent who met the Umbria tele-
phoned up from the docks to hold the
express, as there were some gentlemen
who particularly wanted to get through
to London, and the Midland would have
yum a special if our people hadn't done
I. Thank you, sir. Much obliged, sir
The porter touched his hat and
passed on with his lamps. Before he
had gone a yard, however, he looked
round.
There goes the sigral, sir. She'll
be in in one minute.
The man in the ulster nodded and
threw away his cigar, which had long
turned out. The hight was cold but
there were great drops of perspiratiOn
breaking out upon his forehead, and
his face was curiouSly pale. He took
cut a silk handkerchief and touched
his temples lightly with it. Then he
set his teeth hard and frowned.
I'm getting as nervous as a wom-
an" he muttered.
What a id fool | am: The
things as SIMPLE as A B c.! Pluck up
heart, John Savage! You're as we'll
disguised, as any actor that ever trod
the boards What is there to fear!
Be a MANI
He lighted a fresh cigar with fingers
that trembled as though he were on
the verge of an ague.
Bah! I must get over this The
things got to be done! 1t is the con
summation of everything my life's
work, Of my whole desire-and it is so
simple, tool | am prepared against
every emergency. I must succeed!
There is no weak point in the whole
chaini Once more, John Savage. be a
NAM
He thrust his hands deep into the
lessly UP and down. The express had
been rung in from the signal-box and
the broad arrival platform was crowded
with motley group of railway porters.
fotel servants, in their smart liveries
and peaked hats, and a sprinkling of
men and women, who had evidently
come to meet their friends He took
I'm OF
and waited
The minute seemed a long one. but
1t came to an end. There was a slight
commotion in the waiting crowd The
strangers stood still and the porters
left off chattering in little groups and
came flashing along the track and a
moment later the express swung
smoothly along the platform side.
Fortune favored the man who had
called himself John Savage. When the
train came to a standstiIl he found ex-
actly opposite to him, leaning head
and shoulders out of a first-class car
-iage, and eagerly scanning the faces
upon the platform, the man whom he
had come to meet He threw away his
cigar and advanced at once to the car
riage window stan ling aside only for
moment, while a porter threw the
door open.
Mr. Hoyesdean, I believe" he ex-
claimed. holding out his hand. "N1v
names Savage-John Savage. I dare
say you've heard Lord Marlborough
speak of me? He asked me to come
and meet YOU
The newcomer returned his greeting
courteously enough, but evidently
without any recognition.
Il can't say that your name is famil.
lar, but I'm very glad 70 meet you. Mr.
Savage" he said. N a pleasant bu
rather highpitched lone Il hope Lore
Marlborough is we'll. Is he here?"
Savage shook his head.
No; he was awfully sorry to be pre-
vented-I'll tell you all about it in tn,
>arriage. Have you got all your sinai
luings out?"
Mr.. Hovesdean turned around. Fof
the first time Mr.. Savage becam,
aware that a tall. fatr-haired girl wa.
standing in the interior of the carriage
He could see nothing of her feature
Under the thick guaze veil she wa
wearing. but her long. perfectly fittin.
travelling ulster revealed the lines 0
slim. graceful figure.
Everything's out. mana" she said