Evening journal., 1900-12-31

All 1Uas oUer, at least all IN the cart lcerc.
Ipassed an uneasy night. The wind
moaned wearily round the house, at
one moment seeming to die away alto
gether, at another returning with re-
doubled fury, roaring down the wide
chimney, shaking the whole building.
1t dropped completely toward dawn, and
after hours of fitful slumber l slept
heavily.
In the gray of the early morning was
awakened by some one coming into my
room, and started up TO find Charles
standing by my bedside, dressed and
with q candle in his hand His face was
worn and haggard for want of sleep.
Il have come to speak to you before
go, Middleton" he said. when l was
thoroughly awake. "Ralph and are off
by the early train. Win you tell my
father that we may not be able to return
till tomorrow, if Them and may count
upon you to keep all you saw and heard
secret until after our return"
Where are you going?"
TO London. We start in twenty
minutes. don'5 think it is the least
use, bat Ralph in1ists on going, and
cannot let him go alone"
"My dear Charles" l said ,all my
anger had vanished at the sight of his
worn face) Il viii accompany you"
''Not for worldsw he replied hastily.
"It would be no good. Indeed should
not wish it,"
But / knew better.
can old head is often Of USE / re-
piled, rapidly getting into my clothes.
"You may count on me, Charles.
shall be ready in ten minutes"
Charles made some pretence at annoy
ance, but / YVES not to be dissuaded.
knew very well how invaluable the judg-
ment of an elder man of experience
could be ON critical occasions, and be-
sides / always make a point of seeing
everything l can on all occasions. In
ten minutes / was down in tine dining
room, where beside a spluttering fire
the brothers, both heavily booted and
ulstered, were drinking coffee by candle
light. A hastily laid breakfast was on
the table. but it had not been touched.
The gray morning light was turning the
fame OF the candles to rusty yellow,
and outside upon the wide stone sills the
snow lay high against the panes.
Ralph was sitting with bent head by
the fire, stick and cap in hand, his heavy
boot beating the floor impatiently. He
looked up as 1 came in, but did not
speak The ruddy color in his cheelIs
was faded, his face was drawn and set
He looked ten years older
1--WE ought to be of" he said at last
in low voice.
''No hurry" replied Charles; "fnish
your coffee"
I hastily drank some also, and told
Charles that was coming with them.
mo" said Charles.
''Yes," l replied. "You are going tC
London, and so am 1. have decided t.
curtail my visit by few days under the
circumstances. shall travel up will
you. My luggage can follow"
As soon as Charles grasped the ide;
that was not going to return to Stok'
Moreton his opposition melted away. H'
even seemed to hail my departure witt
a certain sense Of relief.
"As you like" he said. "You car
leave at this unearthly hour if you wisl
and travel with US as far as Padding
ton"
nodded and went after my great
coat. OF course had not the slightes
Intention Of leaving them at Padding
ton, but I felt that the time had not ar
rived to say so.
Here comes the dog cart" saii
Charles as / returned.
Ralph was already on his feet. Blu
the dog cart, with its great bay horse
could not be brought up to the door
The snow had drifted heavily before tn
steps and right up into the archway, ans
the cart had TO 90 round to the bacl
again before we could get in and start
Charles took the reins, and his brothe
got up beside him. The groom and
squeezed. ourselves into the back seat.