The Yale expositor., 1896-12-25

soon as conld. on the bare back OF my |
unfortunate steed for Midcombe, which |
place, after my nights experience. |
seemed gifted with merits not its own. |
/ was surprise, upon leaving the |
house to find that ~ was Of larger d. |
mansions than, from the little l saw OF
1t during the night, l had imagined.
1t was altogether better class CT resi-
dence than / had supposed. My surly
friend accompanied me until he bad
placed me on tie main road, where {
could make no possible mistake. He
was kind enough to promise to assist
any one / might send cut in getting the
dog-cart once more under way. Then
with a hearty wish on my part that /
might never again meet with his like,
We parted.
l found my way to Midcombe with
out much trouble. / took off my
things, bad wash, and, like a sensible
man for once, we~ = nod D.
not forget to send a boy straight on
% the nearest Ielesi apA s,a.lo... n4!
message to Brand was brief one. 1t
simply said: Tell your friend have
found his man. This duty done, |
dismissed all speculation as to the re-
suit from my mind, and settled down
to make up arrears of sleep.
was surprised ut the reply received
that same evening from Brand, I'VE
shall be with YOU as soon as we can
get down tomorrow. Meet us at sta
tion." From this 1t was clear that
my friend was wanted particularly
all the better! | turned to the time
table and found hat owing to changes
and delays, they could not get to C.
| the nearest station to Midcombe, until
o'clock in the afternoon. | inquired
about the crippled dog-cart. 1t had
| been brought in; so | left strict in
structions that a shaft OF some sort was
| to be rugged in time for me to drive
over the next day and meet the doctor
and his friend
They came as promised. 1t was
comfort to sec friends OF any descrip-
ton, so gave them hearty welcome.
Carriston took hold of both my hands,
and shook them so warmly that l be-
gan to fear that | had discovered a
long-lost father of his in my friend
| had almost forgotten the young fell
lows appearance, or he looked very
| different man .o-day from the one |
had seen when last we met. Then he
was a wan, pensive, romantic. poetical-
looking sort o. a fellow; now he
seemed full of energy. vitality, and
grit. Poor old Brand looked as seri
Gus as an undertaken engaged in bury
ing his own mother.
Carriston began to question me, but
Brand stopped him. you promised |
should make inquiries frst," he said.
Then he turned to me.
Look here, Richard"-when he calls
me Richard | know he is fearfully in
earnest-"I believe you have brought
us down on a FOOLS errand; but let ue
60 to some place where We can talk to-
gether for few minutes"
| led them across the road to the
Railway Inn. We entered room, and
having for the sake Of appearances
ordered a little light refreshment, tod
the waiter to shut the door from the
outside. Brand settled down with the
air OF a cross-examining counsel
expected to see him pull cut New
Testament and put me On Ly oath.
Now. Richard he said. before We
go further / want to know your rea'
sons for thinking this man, about
: whom you telegraphed, rs Carriston'!
. man, as you call him."
Reasons! Why Of course he is thu
+ man. Carriston gave me his photo
7 graph. The likeness is undisputabl'
leaving the finger joint out of thu
question"
Here Carriston looked at my cross
: examiner triumphantly. The meaning
of that look / have never to this hou
0 understood. But laughed because
l knew old Brand had for once made
L mistake. and was going to be called t,
account for it. Carriston was about t,
speak, but the doctor waved hin
aside.
! ITO Bs coSTtvUEp'