Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-06-30
CHAPTER VIII.
now DID rnr SECRET LEAK OFF,


my desk, for i had teen rather TX glect-
ing my routine work. While l still
wrote heard horses boots. and, look
ing up, saw the Cullens returning. /
went ont on the platform to wish Thorn
good morning, arriving just in time 10
see Lord Rallies help Miss Cullen out Of
her saddle, and the way he did il, and
the way he continued to hold her hand
after Size was down, while lie said some
thing TO her, made ME grit my teeth
and lock the other way. None Of the
riders had seen me, so / Slipped into L.
car and went Lack 10 work Fred cane
in presently To sec if was mp yet and
to ask Iae TO lunch, but l felt 50 mlscr-
able and downhcmred that | made an
excuse Of my late breakfast for not join
ing them.
After luncheon the party in the other
special i'll came cat and walked up and
down tie platform, the sound Of their
voices and laughter only making me
feel the bluer. Before long Iheard Il rap
en- che of my windows and there was
Miss Cullen pecring i'll at me. The mo
Ecnt looked up ;he called:
won't you make one Of US, Mr.. Mis-
anthropc?"
l called myself all sorts Of Il fool, but
out went as eagerly as if there had
been some hope Miss Cullen began to
tease me over my sudden access Cf Cn"r-
gy, declaring that she was sure it was
a pose for their benefit, or else due TO Il
guilty conscience over having slept so
late.
Il hoped you would ride with US,
though perhaps it wouldn't have paid
you. Apparently there is nothing to see
in Ash Forks
"Thcre is something that may inter
rst you all, " said, pointing to Il special
that had been dropped off No. that
morning.
"What is it," asked Madgc.
Its G. S. special " said, land
Mr.. Camp and Mr.. Baldwin and two
G. S. officials came III ON it
"What do you think he'd give for
those lcttcrs?" laughed Fred.
IF they were worth 80 much to you,
suppose they cant be worth any less
70 tie G.. s., replied.
Fortunately there is no way that
lie can learn where they are, said Mr..
Cullen.
Don't let's stand still" cried Miss
Cullen Mr.. Goroon, I'll run you
race to the nd of the PLATFORM" She
said this Only after getting a big lead,
and she got there about eight inches
ahead Of me, which pleased her might
II. lit takes men SO long to get start
ed, was the way she explained her VIC
tory. Then she walked me beyond the
end of the boarding to explain the work
Jugs Of a switch to her. That it was
only pretext she proved to me the mo-
ment had relocbcd the bar by saying:
my. Gordon, may Gsk you a ques-
tion?''
Certainly" assented
ut is one | should ask papa or Fred,
but am afraid they might not tell me
the truth. You will, won't you?" she
begged very earnestly.
II will, " said l.
"SupposinG, - shc continued, that it
became known that you have those let.
tiers? Would it do our side any harm?'
| thought for a moment and thel
shook my head. ono new proxies
could arrive here in time for the cleo
ton, said, land the ones have viii
not be voted.
She still looked doubtful and asked
''Then why did papa say just now
Fortunately?
"He merely meant that it was safe,
they shouldn't know"
"Then it is better to keep it a secret?'
she asked anxiously.
Il suppose SO, [ said, and then add
ed, why should you Lo afraid of ask
ing your father"
Because he might~-well, if h
knew, IN sure he would sacrifice him
self, and coultn' t run the risk "
Il am afraid [ don't understand"
questioned
Il would rather not explain, " sh
said, and of course that ended the sub
jeCt
Our exercise taken, we went back t
the Cullens' car and Madgc left us t
write some letters. A moment late
Lord Rallies remembered he had nc
written homo recently, and he, too
went forward to the dining room. Tina
made me call myself-something 70
not having offered Miss Cullen the US
of my desk i'll 81 Owing to this tn
two missed part Of the big game W
were playing, for barely were they gon
when one of the servants brought
card to Mr.. Cullen, who locked at
and exclaimed, "Mr CampW The,
after speaking pause, in which we a
exchanged glances he said, "Brin
him in. "
On Mr.. Camps entrance he locke
as much surprised as we had all done
moment before. Il beg your pardon fc
intruding, Mr.. Cullen" he said. "
was told that this was Mr.. Gordon
car, and | wish to see him."
II am Mr.. Gordon"
"You are travelling with Mr.. Gu
len?" he inquired, with a touch of SUI
piciOn in his manner.
mo, " answered. my special
the next car, and was merely enjoy
ing cigar here. "
"Ah!' said Mr.. Camp "Thcn
won't interrupt your smoke, and wi
only relieve you of those letters
mine.
took good pull at my cigar al,
blew the smoke out in cloud slow
to gain time. II don't think folio
you, said.
II understand that you have in 20,
possession three letters addressed
me-"
II have" assented.
Then will ask you to deliver the
TO me. "
II can't do that. "