The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12

SaAy oiicCllOIS
First, sir? This way if you please"
Inc porter hurried along the platform and
threw open the door of a first-class carriage
entered the compartment with the mans
assistance, and fumbled in the pocket of his
inverness for a SiXpence.
Ihere my man! Put my bag into the rack
above my head. Thank you"
The porter closed the door having previous
lily pulled up both windows at the old gen
tlemans desire.
Now then, times up!" shouted the guard,
came hurrying along the platform. DO you
thlnk were going to wait all night for
you'll"
And with scant courtesy he bundled them
into a third-class carriage and blew his whis-
tie shrilly.
The old woman muttered something, she
drew up the window, about ''the imper ence
of jacks in Office and in another moment the
train glided out into the dusk of the summer
night.
The countryman bent over her, and asked
a question, wa more animation than one
would have expected from SO bucolc-looking
an individual.
Yes, the old gentleman with the white
beard. He got in two compartments ahead of
u.s." whispered the old woman, with up
ward glance at her companions astonished
face.
"Jove! Is it possible? I should never have
recognized him!" muttered the countryman.
Are you quite sure?
Perfectly certain
corner of the carriage, and shut her eyes, as
though prepared to sleep the journey through.
''Westdale! Westda1e!''
The guards voice rang out on the quiet
night, and the station-master stepped for
ward to open the door for an old gentleman.
When he had passed out through the wait
ing-roorn, the countryman and the old women
1r1lhl l0d in HI "a OT1d
three found themselves in the darkness of the
country road.
Eye be half asleep now, Isaac, my man."
demonstrated the old woman, in shrill,
querulous voice, she jerked his arm, i'm
patiently. Il believe you're half daft with the
sound of the London streets
Il believe ye're right mother growled her
companion, following her across the road,
with heavy, bucolic step. "I feel 'maZed,
that doi''
The old gentleman had 1imped away into
the darkness, after bestowing a cursory glance
at his fellow travellers.
A heavy storm had been threatening all the
evening, and the light was intensely dark.
Quick as thought the man and woman
slipped on their heavy bootse and followed
stealthily, listening now and again, with
bated breath, for the footsteps a few yards
ahead of them. TT ONN
Heaven grant we may be ION the==right
track" murmured the psesido sido-4eaountryman, 70
in whom, Of course, the reader will have rec
ognized Godfrey Davenant.
They plodded on and on, without exchang-
ing another word, until, with rapid gesture,
Portla drew her companion back, for Philip
Haldane had halted, and was feeling for the
latch of a wicket-gate, which was the en-
trance to a right-of-way across the fields
where, some fifty yards ahead, the lights Of
a human habitation glmmered through the
darkness.
The latch yielded to his hand and with a
cautious step, Haldane proceeded on his way.
Suddenly he paused, hearing the sound of
heavy, plodding footsteps coming from the
direction of the house.
1t proved to be a old countryman who
started as Philip Haldane confronted him
'Eh, master; but what fright you gave
NE; Be We the parson who has come to see
Mr. Benson? He is expectin' of ye, believe,
him and the missus; and it's fortunate that
you come when you do, for they are a-leayin'
to agree with the poor, daft lady. She takes
on awful at times she do but they're won
derful patient with her, all things consid-
ered."
Godfrey Haldane and his companion had
crept up under the heavy shadow of the trees.
and had heard ALL
The old countryman plodded along towards
ms own cottage, some distance off, and Philip
madame continued on his way, until he
reached the house
There was a light burning in the lower
room, ana as ne Knocked gently, the door was
oFeneo py woman, who closed it again di-
rectly ne had passed in, and the listeners
heard the bolts shot and the chain put nm
Geoffrey drew a long breath of suspense.
and Portia, laying her hand upon his arm
whispered '
You must not allow yourself to get ex-
cited, or you will mar all. and reool1eo+ 49, :
they are sure to have in some wav tried to
conceal Miss Haldane's identity You must
not feel startled when you see her.
"A shlVer OF suppressed excitement shool,
GeoHrey; but he followed his connanion
LIGHTED wi