Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-11-11
clean forgot to ask him. ("

clean forgot TO ask him.
That night Ruth, who was worn out
with anxiety and emotion, fell ASLEEP
soon, but she had only brief respite
from trouble.
She awoke considerably before dawn,
and then further sleep was impossible.
How long she watched for the first
glimpse of light she could not tell, and
when the faint gray light of morning
was revealing the forms of tree and
bush she heard a familiar sound, which
reused her to intense attention.
1t was the click of the latch that fas-
tened the entrance gate, repeated more
loudly after the interval of a second, as
if the gate had been hastily thrust open
and let to swing back unchecked.
Ruth rose hastily and opened hel
window as a tall figure came round the
bend in the approach. The figure was
also familiar. Even in the dim light
she recognized the postmaster.
"MacDougaln' she called. He stop.
ped. "Eh, Miss Ruth, I have grand
news for you. Come down and open the
door to me"
II will. I will come quickly" She
hastily threw on a dressing gown and
lit her candle. Going rapidly down
stairs, she unfastened the front door
and admitted MacDougal, observing
even i'll her excitement that he had an
odd, unsteady look as if not quite So
Der, but she knew he was a total alb.
stainer. He had probably hurried toe
much, for he was breathless.
Here, Miss Ruth, it's all right.
They have sent for you," cried Mac.
Dougal, and he thrust telegram into
her hand.
"For mel" she cried, tearing it open
and reading:
To Miss Hastings, the Grange, Brocknell Park,
Surrey
Come to your brother, James Hastings at
once ELEANOR SMITHsoN.
IA Park Crescent, Newcross.
ooh, thank Godp she exclaimed.
catching at MacDougal' S arm to support
herself. "But he must be very i'll, OF
she would not send for me. How shall
I go? How did you get this at such an
hour?''
cts very extraordinary. They must
have some one in power to help them, F"
returned MacDougal, drawing his hand
across his brow. "It's only few min
utes since had it. The tingle of the
bell reused me. sleep next the office.
l turned out in jiffy, for thought i!
was something out of the way pressing,
and then came the message. I've run
here every step, and now I'll sit down
and rest bit while you get ready"
He sank on an oaken scttee which
stood near the door. Ruth, trembling
with hope and fear, in dread of her i'm.
pending interview with the formidable
nurse and determined to brave all and
everything for Walls sake, hurried to
the buffers room, from whence came
audible shores.
"BrettP' called Ruth, knocking on
the door with stick she had caught W
from the umbrella stand "Brett!''
"Eh? What?" cried sleepy voice at
last. els the house on fire."
"Get up, Brett, and dress. Dress to
come into town with me. 1 will tell
you everything after. Z"
ooh, Lord, is it you, miss? I'll be
ready in five minutes. y
In short time the whole household
was afoot, the groom reused, the ponies
got ready and hasty breakfast prepared.
The earliest train they could catch
was one which halted at Nutfeld, some
five miles off, and this Ruth decided to
catch. Meantime MacDougal, who, it
appeared, had dozed on the settee, SEEM
ed much refreshed by cup of tea, and
having exhorted Miss Hastings to be
sure and put the telegram in her pocket
he departed homeward after an emphat-
ic "God bless you, God send you sue
cess" addressed to Ruth.
The strain of such journey can we'll
be imagined-the gnawing anxiety, the
dread Of arriving too late, the seeming
slowness of the swiftest express. From
Waterloo she had the presence of mind
to telegraph to Carew's solicitor. By
the time they reached Newcross Ruth
could scarcely stand Brett, however,
soon found cab for his young mistress,
and few more minutes brought them
to the door of James Hastings Temporal
ry abode.
The moment the cab stopped the door
was opened by a respectable looking
man, not servant, not gentleman, a
quiet heavy person with watchful eyes.
He looked greatly surprised when Ruth,
closely followed by Brett, assembled the
steps and paused because he b. liked the
way.
"Mrs. Smithson amt come back
yet. !"
81 suppose not,' returned Ruth
promptly. "That's the reason she has
telegraphed for me-" and she held out
the telegram for his inspection.
"Eh, Obi" exclaimed the man as if
puzzled. cts all right then. Come in.