The Portland daily press., 1898-02-03
By Special Wire.
by Mrs. ALEXANDER.
copyright. 1897, by the author.l
By Mrs. ALEXANDER.

"Aye, did! Here it is, )" drawing out
a bit of paper. '.Mrs. Smithson, IA
Park Crescent, Newcross, but they IL
not let o creature into the place unless
this woman Somers, or Smithson, as
she calls herself, gives permission.
Somehow Khodja lighted on her and
followed her for hours till he tracked
her to the house. He says there are serv-
ants and seemingly every comfort in
the place, but no one is allowed across
the threshold. F."
"Oh, MacDougal, must let Captain
Carew know at oncer' cried Ruth, wild
with excitement.
"Khodja asked if he were in London,
but I did not know his address, SO I
promised to tell you,' returned Mac
Dougal.
81 am dreadfully afraid he has gone
to Leeds. I know he wanted to see the
colonel of his regiment. What shall we
do? I will go myself" She wrung her
hands.
''Eh, Miss Ruth, is it that bad?" ex-
claimed MacDougal, struck with her
gesture and expression.
Bad" she repeated Nothing can
be worse Captain Carew is accused OF
forging my brothers signature to a
check, and no one can disprove it but
Mr.. Hastings. Captain Carew fancies
the nurse, Mrs. Somers, wishes to pre-
vent him from seeing my brother"
''God knows! Khodja says she is
real she DEVIL said MacDougal.
"It's most unfortunate that my moth
er is not at home. Ny aunt, her only
sister, is very i'll and sent for her last
evening. Tomorrow will go myself to
Mr.. Heartwell. He will know what
to do. My mother is in Herefordshire.
quite four hours journey If only
knew Mr.. Heartwell's private residence,
I would go to him now
"Ye'll just need to have faith, my
dear young Teddy. There is power
that can guide us through the wilder
ness of our own weak devices, and the
Sabbath is difficult day.
"There is no Sabbath for trouble and
fear such as mine" cried Ruth. "Did
Khodja say where he was to be found?''
"No. He was in hurry, and just
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 familiar sound, which
reused her to intense attention.
It was the click of the latch that fas-
tened the entrance gate, repeated more
loudly after the interval Of second, as
if the gate had been hastily thrust open
and let to swing back unchecked.
Ruth rose hastily and opened her
window as tall figure came round the
bend in the approach. The figure was
also familiar. Even in the dim light
she recognized the postmaster.
'tMacDougal!' she called. He stop
ped. "Eh, Miss Ruth, I have grand
news for you. Come down and open the
door to me-"
ct will. I will come quickly" She
hastily threw on dressing gown and
lit her candle Going rapidly down
stairs, she unfastened the front door
and admitted MacDougal, observing
even in her excitement that he had an
odd, unsteady look as if not quite So
Der, but she knew he was total alb
stainer. He had probably hurried too
much, for he was breathless.
"Here, Miss Ruth, it's all right.
They have sent for you,'' cried Mac
Dougal, and he thrust a telegram into
her hand.
"For mel" she cried, tearing it open
and reading:
To Miss Hastings the Grange, Brocknell Park,
Come to your brother, James Hastings, at !
once. ELEANOR SMITHsoN.
II Park Crescent, Newcross.
ooh, thank Godl'' she exclaimed,
catching at MacDougal' s arm to support
herself. "But he must be very i'll, or
she would not send for me. How shall
go? How did you get this at such an
hour?''
tits very extraordinary. They must
have some one in power to help them,"
returned MacDougal, drawing his hand
across his brow. "It's only few min
utes since had it. The Jingle of the
bell reused me. sleep next the office.
I turned out in jiffy, for thought it
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 oalzen settee 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 up |