The Washington weekly post., 1899-12-12

words: 'Ctssie Mathsson, e5 Chiffon
Road"
We've found out where you live"
said. enthusiastically TO the child. as she
entered the room at mat moment. ITS
IN Clifton Road"
"oh, yes" she laughed. "of course
that's the name. What stupid ! am.
DO sou know what part OF London IL
is?"
oh, a long way from here" she an
swered but In response 20 further ques-
tons Il was plain that she did not know
the whereabouts OF the thoroughfare.
Eagerly ! took down my little red atlas
Of the County OF London, and turning up
the index, discovered 10 my dismay that
there were no fewer than six Clifton
roads. situated far away from one anoth-
er; namely. at Old Kent Road. Brockley,
Csmuen Town. Mazda vale. New Cross
road. and Wimbledon. Then another sug-
gestion occurred 20 me, and | went along
to the Royal Oak and looked at the Lon
don Directory: but although j carefully
searched the list of householders In each
T, theroughfare I could discover no such
name as Matheson.
I returned and took counsel with Mrs
Soames, who advised that ] should SET
/ forth al once with the founding and WISH
/ all the Clifton Roads I'm order to restore
/ Miss Cisse 10 her mother. who was no
doubt beside herself with grief The
| yot ng lady. curIed in my hig leather arm
chair before the fire, had, however. made
herself thoroughly at home, and seemed
/ disinclined to stir out into the raw, eoid
/ afternoon.
/ Mrs. Soames presently unearthed an Ola
/ cape which had belonged many years ago
| Ia one of her own children, and smeit
strongly of camphor. and attired IN this,
/ with q warm shawl tied about her heau.
Cissie accompanied me out in search OF
! her home. Ii was nearly 3 O'CLOCK ahG
already the yellow light was fading When
/ we entered a hanson in Westbourne
Grove and drove through the deserted
streets up 10 Clifton Road. Mazda vale,
! only TO find no such name as Matneson
! known at No. &C. Thence. in order 10 YlSit
, the streets methodically, We drove up TO
Camden Town, where we discovered that
the street in question only contained
| twenty houses, and Was close to the Cat
| tie Market The street lamps were being
lit and the great thOrOughfares, quiet and
I almost deserted. presented most de-
pressing spectacle, for on Christmas
evening every one remains at home save
the drivers of public cOnveyances. and
even the latter cease running early IN
the evening so that the employees may
partake i'm the general festivities.
Cissie, huddled al my side, seemed tired
out She spoke but little. and il was ap-
parent that she would soon fall asleep.
As we turned away toward the Caledon-
ian Road l glanced at the paper whereon
had written the names of the roads. and
saw the next was a very long way of, IN
Old Kent Road on the opposite side OF
London. / gave the cabman directions.
at which he gave a grunt of ill-will. and
we set OFF due south. while | drew the
child nearer 10 me and rearranged the
shawl upon her head. The street, how
ever proved like the others, not to be the
! one wherein my founding lived. Yet
consoled myself by the thought that ~
going to work methodically l must dis
cover my little friends home sooner OF
later. Along those endless giant arteries
of London beyond the Thames | caught
sight here and there of Christmas trees
and festivities taking place within warm
rooms illuminated by blazing fires and
ornamented by chains of colored paper.
In an hour we ratified beneath the railway
bridge in the New Cross Road, and turned
into another narrow. mean street 10 the
left, which. from its appearance, | al
oEce also saw could not be the home OF
Cissie MathesOn. The number of which
was in search proved to be a small pub
lie house. therefore disappointedly We
again turned away.
Two others only remained: one at Brock
ley, and the other at Wimbledon | gave
the cabman instructions 10 find the for,
mer. and sat back coll. hungry dispirited
The unusual aspect of the streets was in
eXpressibly depressing, and truth to tell
would have much preferred spending
Christmas evening in my own comfortable
chair beside the fire than driving about il
hanson. The driver entered into con
sultation with the solitary policeman OF
point duty outside the Marquis of CRANKY
and afterwerd drove straight down tn,
Lewisham High Road, turning suddenly
into a new suburban district Of rather
large detached houses, each with spaciou;
garden-a highly gepteel neighborhood
which had extended beyond the confine.
Of Brockley into what was until quite re
Gently open fields. Suddenly, we pulled
up before large a"ustically gabled hOus'
of red brick. standing back behind a well
kept lawn, with several mOnkey-trees il
front Hidden from the vulgar gaze b,
high oak fence il was one Of the larges
houses in the vicinity, and as descende,
and lifted Cissie out she at once recogniz
ed the pace. saying joyfully:
why, this is cur house! / wonder wha
mother will say?''
And she left ME. and bounded UP tn
well-rolled graveled path to the door
where she rang the bell violently.
A neat maid with long-stringed cap an
ewered, but next instant a rather hand
some well-preserved womin in widow
mourning rushed out into the hall an
with a loud cry of joy snatched up he
child. kissing Ter again and again.
Il thought you were lost, my darling
she cried through her tears of joy. 9TH
police have been in search of you all day
Then. in the same breath she thanke
me, inquired how ami where / had foun
the little wanderer, and invited me inside
Wont you take off your coat and joi
us at dnner?" she said. I'VE have onl
this moment commenced, and we canno
allow you 10 return without thankin
! you"
| was ravenOusly hungry. therefore IN
sayory smell of roast turkey decided ms
! and divesting myself Of nat and coat,
followed my hostess into the warm dining
! room. il was q well anu SHDStdutldli
furnished apartment. tastefully decorated
. the table shining with silver and prett
with floral decorations. AT the head sat
smart, Well-grOOmed man about forty
five, i'm evening dress, who rose and greet
, ed me, being introduced by Mrs. MathesO
: as Mr.. PAUL. her brother, and quickly
place was laid FOR inc, and sat down
a plate OF very excellent soup.
; I her rnnfbar irftR
for her adventure, and we were quickl
a very merry quartet
Briefly | explained how had found he
: crying IN Penbridge Square, and OF m
visit TO all the Clifton Roads in Londor
! whercnpon Mrs. Matheson. with tears O
q 10y stiII In her eyes, said:
! Il really don't know now To sufficient
thank you. sir To-day has been mos
A anxious and terrible day Tor Us IL Is IN
!, hrst anniversary OF my dear husband
q death. and had lost my only child. Yo
have, indeed, made my Christmas hal
, py one. FOR / have recovered my darlin