Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-06-09
CHAPTER XXVI.

CHATTER AXtI.
The distance from New Cavendish
street to Euston Station is by no means
q long one, but it seems to Edith Cameron
that they have been driving for at leas,
an hour before the lights of the station
come in sight.
DO you think it likely she has gone 10
ireland 2 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 rattling over the
stony pavement in front of the station.
As Edith enters she perceives soil
tary figure seated by the table: a LADY.
evidently, judging by the well-bred atti-
tude by the ivory whiteness of the hand
and wrist thai s--cnort the pensive head.
A second glance reveals 10 her Il at il is
Muriel Llewellyn! And Edith advances
With the easiest smile and the most care
less grace Imaginable.
why, Murielr'-she says, r. her soft
est, most languid, trianante toles-''what t
brings you here, of all places on earth p
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 a chilling dig
nifty to Edith's sunny smile and easy half
amused curiosity.
"Ior don't look very fit to travel" "
Eufrn ssuiicittugssly, but very quiet
still. '.Must you go tonight, NfTi;ers
Couldn't you put II off for a day or two,
and you and l might go together? That
would be nice, wouldn't it? l came here
10 hunt up friend. and, If l am not sue
cessful, I must travel some distance my
self this cold night, but devoutly hope I
shall not have to do so. l would much
prefer being at home in bed, with a good
Ere in my room-wouldn't your
Tears are rolling down MuriePs cheeks
now. and sob of weary misery and ex-
haustion chokes her utterance.
Il did not think you cared for me like
this" she says.
Edith stoops down and kisses her again.
YES, l do, DEAR" she says, in a low,
hurried tone, and Muriel bursts into n
flood of tears. elinging passionately TO her
new-found friend: and Edith knows her
cause is almost won and her influence over
Muriel is almost sure.
Come outside now, Murirr,- md let us
~ the 1esssfo.m-s. ne eesd
air will do 9dl mead god" she suggests:
but MurieI shrinks back folornly, with n
deep, quick sigh.
"You don't understand" she says, al
most bursting into tears again. Il am de-
termined to go over to Ireland, and / will
NOT 20 back TO New Cavendish street"
For a moment even Kdith's ready wit
fails her, and she stands nonplussed be
fore the quiet determination in the girls
white face. She accompanies Muriel me
chanicaIly on TO the departure platform,
where. before they have trayersed half its
length. they come face to face with Cap
tain Leverson, staring everywhere still
for a possible glimpse of the missing Mu-
riel
How do you do, Captain LeversonT'
exclaims Edith. How odd that you
should be here also! Really, Muriel, dear,
this is what somebody calls "a ccncatena-
tion of ciTcumstances,' isn't it: You
know my cousin, Mrs Eric Lleweilyn,
Captain Leverson:
Muriel bows slightly and shrinks: for.
with the best will in the world to keep up
to Miss Cameron's brilliant ideas, Captain
Ieverson cannot avoid staring a little
wildly. not to say stupidly, and looking
about iistractedly for his cue.
"Pl-ase don't look so dreadfuliy aston
tshed 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. l presume:
"Ye-es-that is-certainly l amr' he
saws, at first slowly, and then rapidly and
with great decision. "By-the-by, / must
,., mr. ,;cka.''-with an implorinC glance
10 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
Ieyerson 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 GO
81 shall never tarnish Eric's honor"
she saws, slowly, in a low, trembling
voice. and of her own accord she turns
ewsy from the sight of the train now
ready TO start.
81 shall thank you as you deserve an
other time" Edith murmurs to Captain
Ieyerson. as she presses his hand and
though the guard is actually waiting To-
sbu, the carriage door, he pauses to mur
muir DaC
Il am moro than rewarded already"
And then the train puffs and shreks
and slid-s away, and Edith in the calmesi
manner possible, though her heart is
throbbing fast with grateful relief and
excitement, gets into hanson beside
MurIel. and they are driven back to New
CavendIsh street, arriving there about
twenty minutes past ten O'Clock