The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-03-28

SaAfl LII ll.-(Continucd
I'm sure don't know how I shall
get on there tonight. 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, il you
like. It's alta house hard by. I've
case there that will detain me fol-
the night" rejoined the doctor CURLY
Thanks. ever so much. believe
III 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 hel
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,
ne 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 off as gently as a
woman would have done; then he re-
turned to Janetta. standing by her
with a certain hesitation.
II have turned up friend here who
kindly offers his dogcart to forward
me to my destination. Can be of
any service to you? 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 go on together. III
speak to Drake about it. Sit down
again minute. You look as if the
accident had been too much for your
nerves" he said, smiling pleasantly.
Kindly tell me your name, and I'll
see that your luggage and ~ own are
forwarded to us later"
"I'm Miss Howard"
Thank you Then III see If 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 shc heard
III Of tn t,.oi ha.
fore we arrived.
invalid" calculated Janetta as her
companion hurried off to complete his
preparations; "and | should not won
der if this Mr.. Merivale were nephew
of the Ole lady. Very likely has ex
pectationsi"
Once fairly started in the brisk
evening air, Janetta's courage ana
spirits began to revive. and she could
hardly help smiling at the curious "a
sltioA i.aRseil 10 s, seat
ed side by side with complete stran-
ger in a borrowed dogcart, going to
lady OF whom she knew absolutely
nothing but the name.
"It is certainly a curious coincidence
that you and should be bound for
the same house." began Mr.. Merivale;
ebut it is still more curious to me that,
often as I am down at the Grange, |
have not heard your name mentioned
before"
''Tnat is easily explained an
swered Miss Seymours advertisement
for companion, and she is kind
enough to give me a trial, We have
not met" said Janetta siraply
Her companion turned quickly, and,
in the half light, gave swift, scruti
nizing glance, accompanied by smile,
of which Janetta found it hard to ex-
plain the meaning. It. was hat
amused and half nc.edulous. He made
no sort of comment upon her explana-
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 establishment
when Mr.. Merivale pointed with his
whip to the twinkling lights of the
little harbor, and told her that they
were within half a mile of their des-
tination.
It was quite dark as they drove
through the cobbled streets of the
little town; then, by a sharp ascent,
they climbed the hill just outside it.
and, turning into drivegate set open
to receive them, drew up at the door
of long, low, irregularly built house.
Mr. Meriyale jumped to the ground
and threw the reins to the groom,
gently lifting Janetta out of the cart.
The next instant they were admitted
by an extremely smart parlormaid into
the low, oak-pannelled hall, where a
log-fire blazed cheerily on the hearth.
A lady OF. between sixty and seventy,
whose gown rustled as she moved, ad
Vanced to meet her.
ALLOW me to introduce Miss How
erd," said Mr.. Merivale.
CHAPTER III.
Janetta's heart sank. The stern fea-
lures of the lady to whom she was in
troduced scarcely relaxed into smile,