Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-06-10
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
The distance from New Cavendish
street to Euston Station is by no means
a long one, but it seems to Edith Cameron
that they have been driving for at least
an hour before the lights of the station
come in sight.
do you think it likely she has gone to
1reland" she asks her companion. break
ing the silence for the first time.
"She could not have been in time for
the mail train to Holyhead at all events"
he answers, and then nothing more can
be said, as the cab is rafting over the
stony pavement in front of the station.
As Edith enters she perceives soli-
tary figure seated by the table; lady,
evidently, Judging by the well-bred atti-
tude, by the ivory whiteness of the hand
and wrist that support the pensiye head.
A second glance reveals to her that it is
Muriel Llewellyn! And Edith advances
with the easiest smile and the most care
less grace imaginable.
"Why, Muriel!'-she says, in her soft
est, most languid, trianante tones-"what
brings you here, of all places on earth?"
Muriel starts up suddenly, crimsoning,
and then growing ashy pale.
Il am going back to Ireland! Going to
see friend Of mine In Dublin. Miss
Cameron" she says, hesitatingly, and yet
trying in vain to oppose chilling dig
nifty to Edith's sunny smile and easy half
amused curiosity.
"You don't look very fit to travel"
Edith says, solicitously, but very quiet
still. Must you go tonight, Muriel?
Couldn't you put it off for day or two,
and you and might go together? That
would be nice, wouldn't it? I came here
to hunt up friend, and, II am not sue
cessful, must travel some distance my
self this cold night, but devoutly hope l
shall not have'to do so. l would much
prefer being at home in bed, with a good
fire in my room-wouldn't your"
Tears are rolling down Muriels cheeks
haustion chokes her utterance.
II did not think you cared for me like
this" she says.
Edith stoops down and kisses her again.
Eyes. l do, DEAR" she says, in low,
hurried tone, and Muriel bursts into q
food Of tears, clinging passionately to her
new-found friend; and Edith knows her
cause is almost won and her influence over
Muriel 10 almost sure.
"Come outside now, Muriel, and let us
walk up and down the platform-the cold
air will do your head good" she suggests;
but Muriel shrinks back folornly, with a
deep, quick sigh.
you don't understand" she says, al
most bursting into tears again. Il am de-
termined to 60 over to Ireland, and l will
not go back to New Cavendish street."
For a moment even Edith's ready wit
fails her, and she stands nonplussed be-
fore the quiet determination in the girls
white face. She accompanies Muriel me-
chanically on to the departure platform,
where, before they have traversed half its
length. they come face to face with Cap
tain Leverson, staring everywhere still
for possible glimpse of the missing Mu-
riel
"How do you do, Captain Leverson?'
exclaims Edith. "How odd that you
should be here also! Really, Muriel, dear,
this il what somebody calls a concatena-
ton of circumstances isn't it? You
know my cousin, Mrs. Eric Lewellyn,
Captain LeversonT'
Muriel bows slightly and shrinks; for,
with the best will in the world to keep up
to Miss Cameron's brilliant ideas, Captain
Leverson cannot avoid staring little
wildly, not to say stupidity, and looking
about distractedly for his cue.
"Please don't look SO dreadfully aston
ished at meeting us in such place at such
an hour" Edith pleads, gaily. "Muriel
chaperons me, and l take care of Muriel
and we came here to take care of friends
And in order to heap Goals of fire on your
head, Mrs. Llewellyn and will wait to
say adieu to you. You are going by this
train, presume"'
"Ye-es-that is-certainly l ann he
says, at first slowly, and then rapidly and
with great decision. by -the-by, l must
get my ticket''-with an imploring glance.
to say he is out of his depth here, and
Captain Leverson hurries away.
"Muriel, you musn't-you daren't go
now!" says Edith. hurriedly. Captain
Leverson knows Eric, child! You heard
how was trying to explain our appear
ance here without servants or escort!
You would be the cause of most frightful
family trouble and destruction If you at
tempted to CO."
81 shall never tarnish Eric's honor"
she says, slowly, in a low, trembling
voice, and of her own accord she turns
away from the sight Of the train now
ready to start.
II shall thank you AZ you deserve an
other time" Edith murmurs to Captain
Leverson, a. she presses his hand, and
though the guard 10 actually waiting to
shut the carriage door, he pauses to muir
muir back:
II am more than rewarded already"
And then the train puffs and shrieks
and glides away, and Edith In the calmest
manner possible. though her heart is
throbbing fast with grateful relief and
excitement, gets into a hanson beside
Muriel, and they are driven back to New
Cavendish street, arriving there about
twenty minutes past ten o'clock.
CHAPTER XVII,
After that evening perceptible change
comes over Muriei; and the shadow that
has fallen upon her deepens as it abides,
as the weeks and months of that sad year
II