The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-30
brain, ana she shrieted out. "NSol Doay

Dfaan, ana shc shrieked out: mol DOM
cunha near mel''
"Poor thingl'' thought the would be
Samaritan. "She must suffer dreadfully. +"
The man subsidized into his corner and
IONA, with her eye fast swelling, bitterly
repented her ternerity In taking the Jour-
ney,
And then came long whistle The
man In the corner rose and snatched up his
satchel The guard unlocked the door.
Newcastle, na'am. You're at your jour-
ney's end" And he picked up her valise.
VIII IONA Sheldon ever again know
such sense Of relief, or will any other
face ever be so welcome to her as was that
of the burly guard a. he made this an
nouncement to herr She was safely on the
platform and coschman, narrowly watch
Ing the passengers, stepped up to her say
ing, Mr.. Mowbray's carriage for Miss
Sheldon"
II am she, she said, in q voice which
her mother would not have recognized.
| He opened the door and IONA, stepping
Into the carriage sank back on the cush-
ions and burst into historical tears.
The man, who had been in the corner
standing with his satchel In his hand, gave
low whistle as the sight met his gaze
through the window. Walking forward to
the coachman, he said: "Giye me a lift,
Riley. guess I'll ride with you"
"All right, Mr.. john" said the coach.
man, lifting up the satchel. Come down
from Edinbro, sirP"
"Not directly, Riley. Let me down at
the gate, and don't tell them I've come I
want to have bit Of a joke with them"
Hall right, sir. -
so that is the travelled young lady who
Is to be bridesmaid tomorrow and stand
up with me! II I'm not much mistaken,
she will be In no condition to stand up"
In Louise's snug room the prospective
bridesmaid recounted her woes and was
pitied and comforted and assured that she
should not be allowed to go back alone.
cousin John Pierpont who is going to
be best man, is going down, and he will
see you safely back. You know he is an
American, graduate In medicine and
has been studying in Edinburgh. He isgo-
ing to spend this winter In the London
hospitals, and know you will like him.
hear hustle now. believe he has come.
viii you excuse me till go down and
see?''
"oh, Louise, dear, you must excuse me
from dinner. I can't go down with this
horrible black eye"
"Zona, said Louise as she came in
after dinner" Cousin John thinks you
had better Lot him examine your eye. He
says It is dangerous to let the infamma.
ton run on, and he thinks it win be quite
well tomorrow If you get good nights
rest"
well, If you wish it. I don't want to
spoil your wedding, after all.
Miss Sheldon, my cousin, DR.. Pier
pont," said Louise as she ushered in the
doctor. IONA, whose vision was much i'm
paired by the sore eye, did not recognize
him as the man In the corner He merely
bowed.
IA clean pocket handkerchief, Louise"
he said cheerily.
At the sound of his voice IONA looked
up quickly. A twinkle shone in John
Pierpont's blue eyes.
"Now, Miss Sheldon, one moment and |
1t is out, he said
what instant reliefl' exclaimed Zona
"Thank you, doctor"
"You are quite welcome" he replied
"By tomorrow hope you will have quite
forgotten it."
There was little sleep that night for 70
M Sheldon.
What little idiot have beenl How
could have imagined such things Of him!
He is tall and powerful-that was right
But dark and murderous looking. Why
he is fairer than I. What blue eyes and
what a pleasant smilel Oh, how can 1
meet him In the morningl wish Louise
had not told him."
But sleep came at last, and IONA woke
rndt MT Gha |
into the park to settle how she should
meet DR.. Pierpont. But it was settled for
her. A. sudden turn in the path BROUGHT
her face to face with him. She burst into
peal Of merry laughter, which he echoed.
"Dr. Pierpont," she said, hope you
will be merciful and keep my secret"
II am not likely to tell secret SO much
to my disadvantage What was itp Viii
lainous"-
"Please, doctor" she implored, "I did
not notice your looks at all. l had parted
with my senses. ~
sorbed in the wedding they must have
seen that there was secret understanding
between the compatriots which quickly
ripened into intimacy.
"And iona is to go back to London I'M
der your escort, Johnf' said Louise
provided she is not afraid to travel
with me, he said, with laughing bow to
IONA.
A smile was her only answer.
They were seated-the sole occupants of
D compartment.
Now will you answer me question:
Had you made up your mind what to do
II worst came to worstP'
ayes, " she said, laughing. IT was GO
ing to take off my watch and ring and
,ffer them to you, as well as my purse I
fancied you looked at my ring particular
~"
II did," he said after pause, "beeause,
you know, the finger you wear 1t on May
ask, Miss Sheldon, If there is any partic-
liar significance in itp''
"It was given me by my mother" she
aid simply.
II am very grateful indeed, Mr. Pier
,ont," said Mrs. Sheldon late in the even
ng as the three sat In her parlor, that
ny daughter has had your company. I
lever feel safe to have lady travel unat-
ended in compart"-
Here her auditors glanced at each other I
nd burst into uncomfortable laughter. {
drs. Sheldon looked amazed
Thereby hangs tale, mother" said 6
,ona when she had recovered her voice, {
md she related the story.
Miss IONA has omitted the sequel"
aid DR.. Pierpont gravely, (which Is that
have won from her consent, subject to (
our approval, to be her protector, and G
ours, too, for the rest Of our lives. "-Ex- a
hange. 4