The Worthington advance., 1900-04-06


II say" said Arthur, at length. why
don't you talk?"
Because I have nothing to say" re-
piled Myra, TRANQUILITY. Besides, am
thinking"
'Of the picnic?''
Myra smiled.
Something more important than
picnies. Have you ever been in Cairo?"
Arthur looked at her in amazement.
"What queer girl!' he exclaimed,
involuntarily.
Myra actually laughed.
II know I am," she said, quickly;
''but that is not answering my ques-
tion.t Were you ever in Cairo?"
"Twice."
"Do you know where the British con-
sui general has his office?''
"Quite well. But what in the
world"
"Patience! Is there a large brick
warehouse directly opposite, owned by
IN English firm, where ivory, ostrich
feathers and spices are stored?"
by Jove, there isl" calculated Ar
thur, in increasing amazement. II re-
member it quite we'll, it is such an old
building. But say"
Zone more question:" interrupted
Myra, for the first time betraying some
excitement. "Do you remember the
Englishman's name?"
''Let me see,' reflected Arthur. II
have heard it often enough. It is Gold
en-Garden-no,G Gar-yes! Garland!
Why, that's your name, isntit?"
"Yes," answered Myra, with another
smile. 1.-THE Cairo Garland was my
uncle. He is dead, and am going to
Egypt next month to straighten out
his affairs. I hear they are dreadfully
tangled"
Arthur nearly let the lines fall.
"You are going to Egypt" he repeat
ed, mechanically. "Do you know any
thing about Egypt"
"Not so much as expect to-" replied
Myra.
And before Arthur could tell her
what he thought of 17-year-old girl
going half round the world to settle
anybody's affairs, Stella called out:
ARTHUR, how long is it going to take
to find a picnic ground'?"
"We won't go foot further" said
Arthur, refining up. "We are eight
miles from home now, and it looks like
snow.'
'Let it snow!" cried the girls, reck-
lessly.
Then they swept a clear space, spread
out the eatables, and began to eat right
away, as picnic folks always do, while
Arthur blanketed the horses.
But this picnic was just like every
other picnic. Not being in summer, it
couldn't rain; so it showed, and after
braving it out until they looked like
snow images, it was decided to scurry
home.
Then the usual accident occurred,
but somewhat more serious than usual.
One of the horses kicked Arthur ON the
knee as he was hitching him, and he
sank down in a heap, with cry of pain.
At this there was a great uproar, and
the horse, highly alarmed, showed
signs of lashing out again, in which
case Arthur would have been Drained,
when Myra stepped forward quietly
but quickly, and led the horse out of
reach.
Are you able to stand ?" she asked,
gently.
"Just about" replied Arthur, trying
to choke of a groan. II think some
small bones must be fractured. Can
any of the girls hitch up the horses?'
There was blank silence, and then
Myra said:
II think can, if you will look on and
keep me from going wrong"
Arthur was thereupon helped into
the sleigh, and just about the time the
horses were hitched up he complicated
matters by declaring that he felt so
faint he could not drive.
"What shall we do?" walled Stella.
And there were signs of regular
panic, when Myra said:
II will drive, if Stella will show me
the way"
Arthur was helped into. the house,
and then Myra added to the prevailing
astonishment by volunteering to go for
the doctor.
ut is only q mile," she said, "and I
have my hand in now."
You may be sure that Mrs. Reeves
and the girls made much of Myra for
the next day or two, and were as much
grieved as amazed when she announced
her intention of leaving them for a long
and perhaps dangerous journey.
II thought" said Mrs. Reeves, in
quiringly, that you had no friends
besides your aunt?"
$50 did l." said Myra, quietly. ut
was the morning of the picnic that
received the letter announcing my
uncle's death.
"And You made up your mind within
an hour what to do?" queried Arthur,
who was propped up among some cush-
ions.
Myra smiled assent.
"A very queer girl" said Mrs. Reeves
to herself for the hundredth time.
She said it again when Stella received
letter from Myra, dated Cairo, March
10, 1885, telling her how she had admin
istered her uncle's estate, and winding
up with these words:
''You need not expect to see me for
some time, as I have joined the Red
Cross society, and leave for Khar-
toum Tomorrow
with all her money!" exclaimed
Stella. swell, never! I was certain
that she would go to Paris the very