Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-09-14
CHAPTER VI.

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AU rus orrr. at least all IN the cart lrcre.
~Ipassed an uneasy night. The wind
moaned YEARLY 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 a candle in his hand. His face was
worn and haggard for want of sleep.
Il have come to speak to You before l
go. Middleton" he said. when | was
thoroughly awake. Ralph and | are off
by the early train. Will you tell my
father that we may not be able to return
-- till tomorrow, if then; and may | count
upon you to keep all you saw and heard
secret until after our return
"Where are You going;'
ITO London. We start in twenty
minutes. I don't think it is the least
use, but Ralph insists on going, and l
cannot let him go alone
My dear Charles" l said (all my
anger had vanished at the sight of his
worn face. L will accompany YOU"
Not for worlds!' he replied hastily,
at would be no good. Indeed l should
not wish it."
But knew better.
"An 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 | was not to be dissuadel. |
knew very well how invaluable the judg-
ment of an elder man of experience
could be on critical occasions, and be-
sides l always make a point Of seeing
everything / can on all occasions. In
ten minutes | was down in the 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 tbs
flame Of the candles to rusty yellow,
and outside upon the wide stone sills the
snow lay high against the panes.
D,1,Nl, y,1nt, 90 with liant hand nv
the fire. stick and cap in hand, his heavy
boot beating the floor impatiently. HI
looked up as | came in, but did MOI
speak The ruddy color in his cheeks
was faded, his face was drawn and set
He looked ten years older.
eve ought to be off," he said at las
in low voice.
"No hurry, replied Charles; "fnisl
your coffee"
l hastily drank some also, and tol(
Charles that was coming with them
NO said Charles.
eyes" l replied. "You are going t.
London, and so am |. have decided T.
curtail my visit by few days under tn
circumstances. l shall travel up wit
you. My luggage can Hollow.
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 wit
a certain sense Of relief
"As you like" he said. "You ca
leave at this unearthly hour if you wis
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 | felt that the time had not a
rived to say so.
Here comes the dog cart" sal
Charles as l returned.
Ralph was already on his feet BIZ
the dog cart, with its great bay hors,
could not be brought up to the doc
The snow had drifted heavily before til
steps and right up into the archway, an
the cart had to go round to the bac
again before we could get in and star
Charles took the reins, and his brotht
got up beside him. The groom and
squeezed ourselves into the back seat.
could see that I was only allowed {
come on sufferanCe, and that at the la
moment they would have been willin
to dispense with my presence. Howe
er, felt that | should never have TO
given myself if | had let them go alon
Charles was not 30 and Ralph sever
years younger. An experienced man
30 to consult in case of need might be
the greatest assistance in an emergenc
Quicker" said Ralph; 1--WE shall mi
the train"
''NO quicker if we mean to catch it
said Charles Il allowed ten minut
extra for the snow. We shall do it
we go quietly, but not if l let him G
An upset would clinch the matter"
We drove noiselessly through the gre
gates, with their stone lions on eth
side, rampant in wreaths of snow, al
up the village street where life w
hardly stirring yet. The sun was risil
large and red, ball of dull fire in Il
heavy sky. it seemed to be rising on
dead world
Before us (Only to be seen ON my pa
by craning ground) stretched the Ion
white road. At intervals here and the
among the shrouded fields lay cottag
half hidden by white network of tree
Groups of yellow sheep stood cluster
together under hedgerows, motionless
the low mist and making no sound.
lonely colt, with tail erect ran best
us on the other side of the hedge as f