Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-06

dOgcart dashed around the corner into
the stable yard ut hard gallop, and
the horse, firding itself ut home, stop
ped ms suddenly as il had arrived, caus-
ing sparks to fly from the cobblestoncs,
the dogs from tEeir kennels and the
grooms from tho stables. There was q
general uproar.
! But the dogcart was quite empty.
II il the unexpected that always takes
place, and Jack was so completely sur
prised at seeing no figrres in the car.
riage that he stared again at the empty
seats. but he saw only the two blue
cushions bobbing mp and down as the
terrified horse, with couple Of grooms
at her head, plunged from side to side.
Then Jack grasped the situation.
"By J0ve, both thrown out, or marc
bolted ut the station" Running across
the yard. ne jumped into tho dogcart,
seized the rcins 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 ut 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 the house At the
| thought he drew up the horse with
sudden jerk. then shook the reins, and
with u stern face drove faster than be-
fore.
1t was q lonely road, and for some
distance Jack drove without seeing o
soul Then ut . 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, in his long light
brown livery coat, seated on the top OF
a heap of stones and mopping his head
with red handkerchief, bordered on
the ludicrous, but almost at the same
time he saw that IL was indeed no
laughing matter, for blood was flowing
from a deep cash in the mans forehead.
THE box Las gone, sir. You've been
robbed" said James family.
"What hox:' asked Jack, jumping
down from the dogcart. but never
mind the box now we'll tie this hand
kerchiof around your bead and get you
home.
Its the box from the bank. sir, "
continued James.
Jack gave long whistle Of astonish-
ment. All his aunt's 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 il you can't get into the
dogcart. Take hold Of my arm. That's
it," Then hc asked. "But what hap
pened 10 Mr.. Wieks?"
No answer.
"You know the gentleman you had
to meet:"
Still no answer, for James had faint
cd.
Jack was up on the box seat like
shot. lie loosencd the mans collar.
| There was no timo to think Of Mr..
Wicks or thieves. He whipped up The
mare, and the dust rose in clouds be-
hind them.
Passing through the air so rapidly
brought James gradually back TO con-
sciousness, but 20 feeble was his condi-
tiop that Jack refrained from asking
questions He drove straight into the
stables, saw the unfortunate James
well cared for, sent a message for the
doctor. and then. turning to the coach
man, asked again the question, "Wbat
happened 10 Mr.. Wicksg"
James thought for u moment. Then
he said:
"He was in the dogcart when the
mare boltod. 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 aud
Sylvia met him.
"Whsre is Mr.. Wicks?' they both
cried i'm 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. 4"
Miss Cherryton was ruffied out OF her
compiacency into saying:
"This is most unfortunate. James
ought not to have gone. There never
was o time when he didn't bungle, but
do trust nothing serious has happened
to Mr.. Wicks."
~ hope noe, indeed" said Sylvia
"What dreadful afternoon this has
been. Can't we do something? MIR.
| Wicks may be hurt, and il 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 noticea III sylvia movements
and her great anxiety for Mr.. Wicks'
safety aroused all the bitter feelings he
had experienced when told Of Mr.. Wicks'
coming, and there was just shade OF
GOODNESS 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 hack. but at this moment
she suddenly ran forward, with little
cry of joy.
"Oh, Mr.. Wioks, my sweet little Mr..
| Wicks, you are safe after all. F"