Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-03-29
CHAPTER II.-CContinued.

CHAPTER H.-CContinued.)
I'm sure don't know how I shall
get on there tonight. I don't know
where this frolicsome engine has
chosen to deposit us, but we must be
at least 10 miles away from North
cliff" ,.
Janetta gave an Involuntary start:
the mans destination was the same as
her own.
"You can take my dogcart, if you
like. It's at a house hard by. I've
case there that will detain me for
the night" rejoined the doctor CURLY.
Thanks, ever so much. l believe
I'll be off then. Your patient is open
ing her eyes; the rest Of the passen-
gers seem sorting themselves Let me
see, there's child that belongs to this
woman somewhere" And, glancing
round, he saw Janetta, faithful to her
trust, seated on the bank, with the
child he sought in her arms.
He smiled and lifted his hat.
Let me relieve you of your burden"
he said, a certain tenderness in his
voice as he looked at the little child.
There, don't cry''-to the little one
"mammy's all right"
He carried it of as gently as a
woman would have done; then he re-
turned to Janetta, standing by her
with a certain hesitation.
Il have turned up friend here who
kindly offers his dogcart to forward
me to my destination. Can I be Of
any service to you? I expect there
will be a train presently to carry on
the passengers. Is it an impertinence
to ask where you are going?"
Janetta rose, with feeling Of stiff
ness in her limbs and some unsteadi-
ness of motion. The shock had half
dazed her. I'm going to the Grange,
Northcliff," she said.
How very odd! I'm bound for the
same place. Under the circumstances,
we had better 60 on together. I'll
speak to Drake about it. Sit down
again a minute. You look as if the
accident had been too much for your
nerves." he said, smiling pleasantly.
Kindly tell me your name, and LII
see that your luggage and my own are
forwarded to us later"
Pm Miss Howard"
Thank you. Then I'll see II there
IS luggage for the names of Howard
and Merivale to be rescued from the
debris, and then We'll get on as fast
as we can. AS Miss Seymour Is deli
cate, it might be serious if she heard
'umors of an accident to our train be-
:ore we arrived. 81
Invalid" calculated Janetta, as her
companion hurried of to complete his
preparations; land should not Won
der if this Mr.. Merivale were a nephew
of the old lady. Very likely has ex-
pectations!"
Once fairly started in the brisk
evening air, Janetta's courage and
spirits began to revive, and she could
hardly help smiling at the curious po-
sition in which she found herself, seat
ed side by side with complete stran-
ger in borrowed dogcart, going to a
lady Of whom she knew absolutely
nothing but the name.
1T is certainly a curious coincidence
that you and l should be bound for
the same house." began Mr.. Merivale;
but it is still more curious to me that,
often as | am down at the Grange, |
have not heard your name mentioned
before"
That is easily explained. l an
Awered Miss Seymour's advertisement
for a companion, and she is kind
enough to give me trial. We have
not met" said Janetta simply.
Her companion turned quickly, and,
In the half light, gave a swift, scruti-
nizing glance, accompanied by smile,
OF which Janetta found it hard to ex-
plain the meaning. 1t was half
amused and half incvedulous. He made
no sort of comment upon her expiana-
ton, but turned the conversation rap
Idly to other channels.
"He knows all about that eccentric
old lady's advertisement" she thought.
Mr.. Merivale chatted away so agree
ably on many topics and the ten miles
drive passed so quickly that Janetta
gave little start Of astonishment
when Mr.. Merivale pointed with his
whip to the twinkling lights Of the
little harbor, and told her that they
we're within half mile Of their des-
tination.
1t was quite dark as they drove
through the cobbled streets OF the
little town; then, by sharp ascent,
they climbed the hill just outside it.
and, turning into drivegate set open
to receive them, drew up at the door
If a long, low, irreguiarly built house.
MIR. Merivale jumped to the ground
and threw the re;ns to the groom.
gently lifting Janetta out of the cart.
The next instant they were admitted
BY an extremely smart parlormaid into
he low, oak-pannelied hall. where
!og-fre blazed cheerily on the hearth.
A lady of between sixty and seventy.
whose gown rustled as she moved, ad-
ycnced to meet her.
ALLOW me to introduce Miss How
.rd." said Mr.. Merivale.