Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-10-27
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
The matter was that old Strother had
taken his bundle and gone off with it. AS
soon as Della hears the news she says
rapidly to the servant:
you must stay here and [ will go IN
search of him and bring him back with
me if | can"
AS Della hurries along, her thoughts are
all in confusion, and she is only sure of
one thing-that she must follow after
that parcel. if the quest takes her to the
other side of the world. One precaution
only will she observe. to scribble few
lines in pencil on the back of a card, and
give it to the purblind housekeeper at the
rectory. who she knows cannot read, to
deliver to Mr.. LIE Mesurier as soon as he
returns.
She walks so quickly that she has ar
rived at the little town of st. Alders be-
fore she thinks she is half way there. The
railway station is on the outskirts of the
town, and the state of activity it appears
to be in embodens Della to go straight
there and make inquiries for the object Of
her search. She finds the narrow plat
form quite crowded with passengers, and
a truck full of luggage bars her entrance
for the space of half second. 1t is evil
dent train is momentarily expected. AS
she enters the booking office, clerk
thrusts his face out at the ticket Office.
Now, then, miss-where for? Winches-
ter Basingstoke, Waterloo?"
mo, thank you! l only came to ask if
an old man, very bent and decrepit, and
shabbily dressed, with a large parcel, has
been seen here this evening? He has left
I, |, F.;n Ix oh
distressed about him.
Don't know nothink about it, miss;
better ask the station MASTER" says the
ticket clerk, abruptly, as he bangs down
the window.
ooh! where is the station master?' ex-
claims Della to every one within hearing.
DO you think the lady can mean the
little peddler looking fellow who carried
a box, or summat, on his back, and spoke
such broad Scotch, Bill" demands an Off
cial, who has overheard her converse
ton, of another.
yes, yes! that is he!'' replied Della,
eagerly. AN old man, with his hair half
red and half white, and with a freckled
skin. and velveteen suit. He is mad.
must find out where he's gone toy
"Well, if so be this was the old gentle
man you're in search of, miss, he booked
hisself by the $40 for Winchester, where
he must have been landed full an hour
ago
"When does the next train leave for
Winchester. then!'
"Why. this here's the Winchester train
as is alongside now! Last one tonight,
too-the eleven express to London. She
won't stop again now, except at Win
chester and Basingstoke, till she's run
through to Waterloo"
Put me in a carriage! l must follow
that man at all riskS!'
You'll have to look sharp if you want
to leave by this train. Have you got your
ticket?''
''I'H pay at the other end!'' cries Della,
as she leaps into the carriage, the door of
which is just about to be closed with
bang. and finds the train at the moment
moving off in the direction of Winchester.
In three-quarters of an hour she finds
herself at her destination. AS she pays
her railway fare, she tries to extract some
informal ton from the ticket collector. Her
best plan. he says, guessing her station
in life. will be to put up at the George
Inn, in High street, and place her in
auiries in the hands of the parish author
tiles in the morning.
The night porter receives her in the hall
of the George Inn, although the house is
not yet shut up. She sleeps we'll and
peacefully. She is up with the mornings
light.
AS she sits at breakfast card is put
into her hand, which is inscribed to her
surprise with the name of LIE Mesurier"
In another moment the friends are to-
gether.
us it really my business that has
brought you over herer' cries Della.
How good and kind of you! l never
thought my message would have such an
effect
What other effect did you anticipate
Mrs. Manners? When l returned home
last night and received your card con-
sidered it my duty to follow and offer you
my protection. What can you mean by
running about the country at dead of
night. in this harum- scarum way? What
good did you expect to do by it!
Il don't know: but l traced Strother to
Winchester, and l felt that l must follow
him. How did you ascertain that l was
here:"
LAS soon as got your message I walk
Il.
was closed. SO l sat there till the morn
ing. and came on by the first train. The
porters told me all about YOU and the
Scotch peddler' yeu were inquiring after;
so | knew l was on the right track. And
once at Winchester it was easy to guess
l should find you at the George Inn. Ev
erybody who comes to Winchester goes to
the George"
"Oh Mr.. lie Mesurier, do you think
we shall find him.
Sooner or later. there is no doubt we
shall: but / question whether we can do
much in a day. What are your plansT
She tells him of her desire to consult
magistrate, and he considers it the best
thing she can do.
But be advised by me. Let me save
you the trouble of walking all over the
town for nothing. Rest quietly here. and
l will so out and make the necessary in
Quiries. Then if your presence is requir-
cd / will return and fetch you"
ITO no continued