Catoctin clarion., 1897-02-11

and again the ball shot across the fields.
"Now I'll 20 home" he exclaimed
almost savagely, "and SEQ this fellow
Wicks."
He was Just passing the stables when
there was sound of carriage wheels
and clatter of hoofs, and then the
fopoart dashed around the corner into
the stable yard at q hard gallop, and
the horse, finding itself at home, stop
ned as suddenly as it had arrived, caus-
ing sparks to fly from the cobblestones,
the dogs from their kennels and the
prooms from the stables There was
general uproar.
But the dogcart was quite empty.
It is the unexpected that always takes
place, and Jack was SO completely sur
prised at seeing no figures in the car
riape that he stared again at the empty
seats, but he saw only the two blue
cushions bobbing up and down as the
terrified horse, with a couple OF grooms
at her head, plunged from side to SIDE
Then Jack grasped the situation.
"By Jove, both thrown out, Or mare
bolted at the station" Running across
the yard, he jumped into the dogcart,
seized the reins and drove rapidly along
the road to the station. While he spun
along he kept wondering to himself
what had happened, what he should
find on the road, how he should find
the stranger. Mr.. Wicks; would he be
safe at the station, would he be injured
by the roadside or-or would he be dead?
AS this last horrible conjecture flashed
across Jacks mind he recalled his wish
of only an hour ago-that Mr.. Wicks
might never come to tho house. At the
thought he drew up the horse with
sudden jerk. then shook the reins, and
with stern face drove faster than be-
fore.
It was o lonely road, and for some
distance Jack drove without seeing
soul. Then at sharp turn of the road
he suddenly came upon James, the
coachman, sitting on heap of stones
At first Jack felt inclined to laugh
The effect of the man, i'll his long light
brown livery coat, seated on the top Of
o heap of stones and mopping his head
with a red handkerchief, bordered on
the ludicrous, but almost at the same
time he saw that it was indeed no
laughing matter, for blood was flowing
from deep cash in the mans forehead
"The box has gone, sir. You've been
robbed" said James family.
"What box?'' asked Jack, jumping
down from the dogcart. "But never
mind the box now; We'll tie this hand
kerchief around your head and get you
home''
'Its the box from the bank. SIR"
continued James.
Jack gave long whistle Of astonish-
ment. All his aunts jewels gone at one
swoop, but he said nothing and tied
second handkerchief around James
head. For the moment he had quite for
gotten Mr.. Wicks.
"Now see if you can't get into the
dogcart. Take hold Of my arm. That's
it," Then he asked. "But what hap
pened to Mr.. Wioks?"
No answer.
"You know the gentleman you had
to meet?''
Still no answer, for James had faint
ed
Jack was up on the box seat like a
shot. He loosened the mans collar.
There was no time to think of Mr..
Wicks or thieves He whipped up tho
mare, and the dust rose i'll clouds be-
hind them.
Passing through the air so rapidly
brought James gradually back to con-
sciousness, but so feeble was his condi-
ton that Jack refrained from asking
questions. He drove straight into the
stables, saw the unfortunate James
we'll cared for, sent message for the
doctor, and then, turning to the coach
man, asked again the question, "What
happened to Mr.. Wicks?'
James thought for moment Then
he said:
"He was in the dogcart when the
mare bolted, and the tramp didn't get
hold Of him."
Then Jack ran to the house. hoping
that Mr.. Wicks had arrived.
At the front door Miss Cherryton and
Sylvia met him.
"Where is Mr.. Wicks?" they both
cried in the same breath.
"That's what want to know" re-
piled Jack. "Mr. Wicks has disappear
ed. There has been chapter Of acci-
dents, consisting of robbery, injury and
mystery. All your jewels have been
stolen. aunt; that's the robbery. James
has been badly hurt by the thieves, and
Mr.. Wicks has disappeared.
Miss Cherryton was rutfled out Of her
complacency into saying:
"This is most unfortunate. James
ought not to have gone. There never
was time when he didn't bungle, but
do trust nothing serious has happened
to Mr.. Wieks. -
II hope not, indeed" said Sylvia.
"What dreadful afternoon this has
been. Can't we do something? Mr..
Wicks may be hurt, and it seems SO
wrong to be standing here doing moth
ing" She spoke impetuously and gazed
along the avenue Of trees that led to
the house.
Jack noticed all Sylvia's movements.
and her great anxiety for Mr.. Wicks'
safety aroused all tho bitter feelings he
had experienced when told Of Mr.. Wicks'
coming, and there was just shade Of
coldness in his voice when he said:
II am going to walk into town to
make inquiries, and hope to goodness
that we shall find Mr.. Wicks safe and
sound somewhere.
All this time Sylvia had been lean
ing against the doorpost with her hands
behind her back, but at this moment
she suddenly ran forward, with little
cry Of joy.
"Oh, Mr.. Wicks, my sweet little Mr..