The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-18
little they knew what business they were

Heard nothing Of him." her husband
answered. Wipe your eyes, Mag. Here
are carriages from the station. The
train must be in from Kimberley
are carriages from the station. The train
must be in front Kentucky
Two of the station traps drew up al
the entrance. The little hote! had TO bt
entered through the bar, but, as few
ladies stopped in the little town ON the
yeldt, that was no great INCONVENIENCE
One of these few had arrived new. The
little crowd drew back to let her pass
in, and when she was once inside. ana
had inclined her head slightly and a
little merry cusly toward the men, includ'
ing them all in one courtly bow all mats
: came off. She was not young, q woman
between 80 and 40, and if egar she had
so been, she was not now beautiful. Her
brown hair was busted with gray. her
face was pale and thin, her eyes We're
deepsnt and sorrowful She was accom-
panied by boy OF TO- nattily dressed.
and niddle-aged man, on whom the
stamp of Chancery lane was indehbly
branded-an unmiStakable lawyers clerk.
ISDe hostess was little Hurried. Guests
Of her own sex were rare, but rarer yet
ladies SO evidently of high breed as
this. The clerk asked at once for a par
Tor. He was not sure. he said, whether
the party would remain or not, but at
present the lady would Like a private
room and q word with the landlord or has
wife. The bar was turned over to the
care of youth of all work, and the host
and his wife led the way into the only
parlor in the house, that in which stood
the piano round which had gathered of
nights the reckless troopers on leave from
the barracks before they had volunteered
for the unfortunate "JamesOn'S raid.
They closed the door, and the lady,
seating herself, looked to the lawyer s
representative, who spoke ct once.
"M," he began, with a little cough
like his masters in court. "The-ah-
facts of this case are these-Ah-I ann
instructed to state that my client has
been credibly Informed that-ah--aS the
proprietors, lessees or managers of this
inn. hostelry or hotel, have recently-ah-
given shelter and in all probability have
had transac ions with, a gentleman whom
my client is very anxious to meet, /
should say-ah-that it is possible-ah-
that in the use of the word gentleman |
may unconsciously be misrepresenting
Tie lady flushed, and the speaker cor
rected himself hllrriedly.
misleading | beg your pardon,
my lady misleading you. From informa-
tion received at Cape Town and at Kim
berley, we are of opinion that the gentle
man may, by reason Of misfortune and
of having assumed TO some natural extent,
observation-disclosures but somewhat un-
couth dress and-ah-- mannerlsms of the
misunderstanding h---unconycntioIal
pioneers, have recently presented the APP
pearance of being-ah--llot gentleman.
whats the mans name? the land
lord asked briefly.
The arrivals looked at each other and
again the lady flushed.
I'VE don't know said the lawyers
clerk. slowly. That is his name-ah-
may have--in fact, he may have been
travelling incognito."
The landlord laughed as at a good
joke. q
Hes not the only one" said he.
MANY and many a man out here was
known at home by q different name.
What's he like? Travellers come and
90. and we have all kinds"
The clerk shook his head obviously.
My client has not seen him for nine
years. He must have changed
Suddenly the lady leaned back in her
chair, with her handkerchief TO her
eyes, and trembed violently, suppress
ing sobs At once the landlords wife
grabbed the clerk and her husband and
pushed them out of the room, and IN
! less than minute was alone with the
lady and the frightened boy, busily en-
gagged with smelling salts and cordials.
Poor thing-poor thing" the woman
whispered, soothing the other, when the
traveller had regained command Of her
self. why couldn't that wind-bag say
so at once? You're looking for your
husband and this Is his boy--a pretty
boy--isn't it that?"
''Yes-thank you. I'm a little tired
that's ALL"
THE rascal" the woman cried indig-
nantly. '"The rascal. To desert"
"No-no-no." the stranger cried, al
most as Indignantly. Not that! Never
newer that. 1t was quite the other
way"
The hostess looked puzzled.
quite the other way" the lady re-
peated now in the presence of one of her
own sex, apparently glad to give vent
to the feelings which she had had to
suppress during ali the long journey
from England. at was 1 who deserted
him. o. if you can help me to find him,
you will, will you not? You look good
and kind"
Il will! will Tell me all about il"
I'VE were married 10 years ago and
his father was very angry about it. You
see, my husband was III the guards, but
depended on his father. He was in
debt too. How could he help that? He
was so young and his father allowed him
very little, for Robert was younger
son. His father cut off that little when
We married Robert gambRd little
they-they are tempted so, you know
Il know, dear; l know
But he wasn't bad. Then persuad-
ed him to meet his father at a London
club and make friends, and-and a
dreadful thing happened
Never mind that. dear"
20, but | must tell you, because Rob
ert did not do it. a gentleman wa
robbed in the club and it was discoy
cred Immediately, and dreadful waiter
! said-l cant tell you, but the money was
found on'-on my husband. His father
came i'll during the disturbance and
lt ravt. Robert como ,oonav ou1-1pd