The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-01-10

NtauuthOtuei OtIHlOiI. OOou-Dg. 1t.
hal hap
Sam went out, leaving Jack wonder
ing what tickled him so; but as he was
not familiar with the Donovan case, of
course it might be a very funny one.
At O'Clock that afternoon Jack
drove up to the little dingy railroad
station at Hartville, and hitched Dan
to a convenient post. He drew out his
watch, and glancing at it, observed:
Not much time to spare. Trains
due now, if Sam was right. All, there
it comes. Where's that agent? Never
mind him. anyway. If only one old
lady gets Off shall know it is Sans
grandmother without any introduce
tiOn. I'd better be near; the dear old
soul may need help to get off,"
Jack gallantly drew very close to the
train as it stopped, and stood waiting
for his passenger. Half a dozen coun-
trymen, two women with babies in
their arms, and fat colored woman
nobody else, except slender girl in
stylish black suit, at whom even
woman-hater Jack had to east a second
glance, she was so exceedingly pretty
and attractive.
"Where's my old lady" he said to
himself. Something must have hap
pened, for she is certainly not here.
wonder why she did not come"
But as she had not, he was about to
go back to the buggy, when he saw the
handsome girl standing near him with
perplexed look on her lovely face.
Jack stepped up, lifting his hat.
BEG pardon, miss, but can assist
yoa? Are you looking for some one?"
The lady gave him a smile and an
swered;
Yes; did expect some one to meet
me from Woodside Farm, but no one j.
here. Ara there any conveyances TO
be hired at this place do you know?'
81 do not, indeed" returned Jack,
astonished. "But 1 come from Wood
side myself I, too, expected to meet
lady who has not arrived-Mrs. Der
mott"
The lady smiled again, and said,
brightly:
"0h, then we are all right. am
Mrs. Captain Dermott, and you must |
be the friend Sam wrote they were ex-
pecting from the city"
II am Sans friend, certainly, but
b1t-there is some mistake" stam- |
mered Jack. I'll came to meet |
Sans grandmother, very old lady"
A merry little laugh was his answer. |
IL think there is no mistake, Mr."
Cameron" Jack barely had sense
to reply.
"Thank you, Mr. Cameron, then l
believe it is all right. am Sans
grandmother, though perhaps not 50 |
old as might have been expected. Did |
you ever know that Captain DermOtt |
was married only two years before his
death? And 1 was sorry, even if he
was an cid man, for he was so good to
me-" she added honestly, a regretful
look coming over her sweet face.
Jack made out to stammer again:
"I-I never heard. l did not-I was
notch, excuse me, miss-madam,
mean-but 1 am really knocked off my
pins, if you will forgive the slang, with
this surprise. was prepared for a
white haired, feeble old lady, who
would need help in getting off the
train but not-not this, you see"
Another merry laugh from Mrs. Der
mot.
II wonder Sam or Mime did not tell
you better. Why did not Sam come
with you?"
"He had to go to Cloyerton on some
body's lawsuit, so | took his place.
And really, Mrs. Dermott, l am not
always such a fool Pardon me and
tell me where 10 find your luggage. 1
will see to having it sent out"
"Thank you. There is only one
trunk Here is the check"
She gave it to him and he had pres
emily engaged the wagon to bring it to
the farm, had put her into the buggy
aud was driving back TO Woo iside, for
once in his life almost dumb. He
simply could not talk, he wGs so pro-
vuked at himself for making so great
Ounce of hinself, and at Sam, who he
saw had played clever trick on him.
"I know now what he laughed at this
morning." he thought, savagely. "Oh,
but I'll get even with him for this, If
have to be his grandfather to do it,"
When they had stopped at the door,
Mime came running cut to meet them.
''You found her, did you?"
"Yes, / did, and made big fool of
myself, Miss Mime, and l believe you
and Sam planned it all, too"
Then they all three broke into a
laugh, and when Mrs. Dermott, after
she had kissed Mime, held out her
white hand and said, pleasantly, "But
you mustn't be angry with me, Mr..
Cameron, for l was as innocent as
yourself Shall we be friends?n
He could do nothing but extend his
own hand and say, humbly:
sit shall not be my fault if we are
anything else. / don't care whose
grandmother you are"
But when he was alone with Sam
that night, didn't Sam catch it,
''I declare, / never thought bat what
you knew" he said, when Jack would
let him speak at all. "Grandfather
Dermott married a young girl few
years before he died, and Of course by
Jaw she is our grandmother
"She don't look like q girl who
would make that kind Of a marriage
said Jack thoughtfully.
at was not that kind OF mar
riage,' rs you mean it. Grandfather
was alone snd needed a woman's love