Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-19

from home-I only left at midsummer
mother kept me hard at my lessons.
But haven't we met before somewhere?
I fancy know your face"
Il sat at table near yours today at
tie Crystal palace That's the first and
only time ever saw you. should not
have forgotten if we had met before.
"Oh, yes. How stupid Of me! Of
course know now where saw You,
but really was SO frightened by that
fog everything seemed to 60 out OF my
head"
"No wcnder," answered Henry. at
was odd Jane never told me you were
going to London. She said good deal
about you in letter I had only this
morning"
II don't think she knew about it.
did not know myself until yesterday,
when my godfather came to say he had
to go to London from Friday to Mon
day aud offered to take me with him. -
land are you going back so soon:"
as-ed Henry, his face betraying his dis
appointment.
"Yes; godfather has to 60, and could
not stay in the lodgings alone, could l?
He is such a dear old man, godfather.
He will be in terrible state when he
hears of my adventure.
HE ought to have staid to look after
you," said Henry severely.
"Oh, poor dear, he thought I was so
safe with the Browns, and he had bust
} ness to attend to. But we shall see you
some day at Beccles, shan't We? Are
! you coming to visit your sister,:
, "She has invited me for Christmas,
but am not sure if shall goat least
was not when I received her letter.
What is the name of your street," Hen
~ concluded, with sudden change Of
} manner, as he peered out into the vel
, low darkness. I'VE are almost in Cam,
{ den town.
> Camden Hill, Al"
''Then we had better get ont here,
r and l will show you the way, if you
will allow me. :"
] "But it's troubling you SO much.
g "Some troubles are "A pleasure. There
s take my arm, it's SO dark and slippery
=: on the stones.
Henry spoke so decidedly that there
was nothing fer Lucy HARDWOOD to d.
? but obey, besides which it was delight
full for her to feel safe and in good keep
4 ing after her alarm. She grew lively
:. chatted to her companion as though the.
9 were old friends and gave him variou
n bits of information about his sister, TO
= whom she entertained a great respect
such as Jane was wont to inspire i'll he
J, acquaintance.
l. As for Henry, he was too happy t
l. speak much. 1t was enough to feel tina
l. touch on his arm and to hear Lucy
% gay, natural way Of talking. 1t wa
% much to his credit that he was too con
II scientious to lengthen the walk NOR
:. than by few yards, and soon the
found themselves ON the doorstep Of A
g They had scarcely rung the bell whe
I the door swung open, and the old gen
It tleman whom Henry had already see
in the afternoon made his appearance
a "My dear girl, where have you been:
l. he exclaimed. II thought you wer
lost" He stopped, observing Henry.
70 $50 1 should have been, dear godfa
le ther, if this gentleman had not come
my help" said Lucy. And only thinl
y he is Mrs. Stones brother, of whom 20
,e have heard. Isn't it queer, the only pei
ID son in all London who knows who 1 a,
l. should have come up just at the rigf
10 moment?'
"Thanky, sir, thanky If anythin
N had happened to my little girl''- I'll
le old gentleman, overcome by the yer
~ notion Of such contingency, paused
II blew his nose violently in huge gree
10 and red silk handkerchief, then seize
,e Henry's hand and wrung it long an
to fervently. People are wont to sho'
their emotions down at Beccles, and
N small event is of great Importance
at them. ''Sit you down-sit You down,
ID he continued, land let me hear abo,
ut it. Amy one that is kind to my little gi
It is welcome, and you are an old frien
to through your sister. Ring the bell, l.,
cy, dear, and order mp supper -
IN why, godfather, you never mea
ut you've waited all this time for me?"
rs "Why, you see, my dear, l couldn
to have enjoyed it alone. Iexpected "
ne every minute. and then
no ''Oh, you bad old godfather, p" crit
Ell Lucy. running behind him and putin
hand on each side of his bald head
~ she kissed it on the top, you've bee
90 worrying yourself about me, and l.
If not worth it.
It Amt you?" exclaimed the old ce
tleman III delight. Its my place
n worry till you get some one else bett
IN able to take care Of you, and lucl
be man he'll be. But here's the trav.
of really didn't know 1 was so hunsr
mt Bless me, can't get over it all yet -
That evening was merry one. Lu
so told Of her adventures and her alar
Ter with so much spirit that her goliath
could not help laughing, in spite Of {
Il anger he felt toward the Browns (
We sending her off to shift for herself.
id for Henry. he had not enjoyed anythil
SO SO much Tor very long time. He W
ty surprised at his own wit and hveline.
ost and when they parted in the small hou
it was with the hope Of shortly meeti
ed again at Beccles.