The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-09-09
ON THE WAY
TO AYLWIN
By NJ. MAGICIAN
HELLIWELL
Copyright i9aS, On r. {. Nee lure


The passengers thronEcd out. filling the
station With hustle and confusion.
Chatterton, who was on his way to
Halifax, was looking idly out of the
smoker window. when suddenly there
passed across his range of vision Il GER
tain we'll cut profile which he knew
could belong TO only one woman In the
world Without an instant's hesitation
he picked up his hat and left the car,
clearing the steps just MS the train
started heavily forward.
The small station WIS crowded with
people. and Chattcrton looked some
time for the lady of the profile before
he cspied her sitting Quietly In one cor
ner of the dingy waiting room.
She had thrown open her coat and
WAS leaning back against the wall with
closed eyes evidently prepared to wait
some time Chattcrton seated himself
In the opposite corner of the room and,
drawing out II paper. pretended To read
the while he watched her furtivcly.
People lessed and repuSsed between
them. The noise and confusion cbbed
and departed
Then NIL AT once Il lull came. Silence
reigned ON the platform, and Chatter
ton suddenly realized that he and the
lady We're alone In the waiting room
lie rose and went out abruptly, and rs
he passed through the door he stopped
for II moment before Il time table that
hung beside 1t, one name having
caught his eye
"Aylwin," he muttered. "Of course
going home for the dear old peoples
anniversary dinner. How could | have
forgotten 1t? | don't believe she ever
travelled alone before, and its n whole
hour TO walt in This hole. Don't | knew
the long, interminablc dragging ON of
the minutes, don't know ah, but 1t
did not seem long last year when we
waited here together
He passed out on to the deserted
platform and, lighting Il cigar smoked
furlously while he paced up and down.
revolving many things In his mind
At last, throwing back his head with
n sudden resolution, he TOSSED aside his
cigar and re- entered the waiting room.
Az the door closed behind him the
girl In the corner opened her eyes, and
sudden wave of color touched her
checks. Her cool, gray eyes regarded
his steadily for II moment, then she
turned her face slowly from him But
the man. lifting his hat, advanced
quickly.
Margaret" hc cried ms he stood be-
fore her. 81 want TO talk TO you" Her
battling gray eyes met his with no
trace of embarrassment.
Il know Of nothing you can have to
say TO me You were very explicit
Nothing of importance was omitted.
but If something else has occurred 10
you you have my lawyers address and
can communicate with him
He made no answer for n moment,
then he said abruptly:
''You are going home for the ami
versary dinner tomorrow. | can just
see the table blazing with lights and
flowers, the dear old patcr bcamIng
with pride and the little mother all
soft smiles and tender happiness To
morrow will be the first time there has
ever been an empty place Mt the nnnl-
vcrsary dinner. ! nm afraid the little
mother villa not like that. She has al
ways lind perfect faith in her sons-in
law"
ut IL easy TO deceive old people," she
interrupted, particularly such dear,
gulleless, trustful old people rs they.
VIII you kindly leave me- Under eX-
istlng circumstances no gentleman
should have to be reminded that he has
renowned his right TO inllict his com
pany upon his-the woman"
Ills WIFE" hc finished gently why
hestatcf Is the word SO hateful TO
you? A separation Is not divorce,
you know. | don't want to force my
self upon you. Margaret But cannot
get the little mother out OF my mind.
DO they know at home of our troublcf'
The girl was silent for "A moment,
then she faced him suddenly her eyes
blazing.
NO" she cried; they don't. You
are not the only one who loves them,
You have been the cause Of my doing
much TINT | regret, and now you are
making me do the one thing | have al
ways loathed with all my soul You
have forced me to lie to them for the
first time In my life! | have told them
nothing yet OF the truth. In my letters
| have always added your love and
such messages as you USED to send.
They expect you tonight. | shall tell
them that just as we were starting an
urgent telegram came from the Hall
fax branch demanding your immediate
presence. oh, shall get through,
have had my schooling" The last
words were rather faint, but she threw
back her head and added almost fierce
ly, "And 1t Will not be acting to show
them how happy | amf'
He did not tell her that her face, her
words. for something was teaching him
wisdom. Instead he answered gently:
at will be impossible to deceive the
little mother. When those clear blue
eyes look into yours and her soft voice
asks, why. NADIA where's our Ted
dyr nll lies Will shriyel up and die
You will have to tell her everything
and that Will mean that all JOY will go
not only out of the anniversary dinner,
but out OF her life. You know how she
regards such things. Margaret don't
you think that for her sake and the pa
tcr's | had better go down with YOU
lust for the dinner | can make my
excuses and leave on the midnight
train tomorrow shall not trouble
you, believe me. / hey must not be al
lowed to suspect anything, but when
we are alone we shall be as strangers.
shall not even talk to you If you do
not wish It, There Is plenty Of time
for you TO decide. am asking nothing
for myself know that that Is fruit
less-but l am pleading for the little
mother and the pater"
He turned rs he finished speaking
and left her alone.
1t seemed scarcely five minutes be
fore she heard his voice again al he
Aylwln train Is coming" he said.
"Shall get ticketf'