Middletown transcript., 1904-06-04
THAT MYSTERIOUS MAJOR .


this is to be of the slightest use to me
however, my greatest difficulty will be in
discovering if it is genuine or not. Is it
possible that Miss Luttrell herself has
been in here writing. or can it be that
somebody else has been simply directing
an envelope to her? That is tie ques-
tion and, considering that am at pres
ent hopelessly in the dark even as to the
hand Miss Luttrell writes, hardly see
how this blotting paper affair is to bene-
fit me in any way, unless Here the
Major broke off somewhat abruptly, and,
walking to the window, gazed out
obviously through the blurred panes.
Nonsense, though! l will manage it
somehow he exclaimed after moments
reflection. By the aid Of little diplo-
macy and plan which | believe I can
carry out, the rest should be easy, and,
without raising the suspicious of either
Miss Luttrell or anybody else, should
gain for myself some knowledge of con-
siderable value. All the same, if 1 in
tend to 60 seriously to work. the sooner
I make a beginning the better and, as
in this case the beginning means walk
to the town in the pouring rain, I may as
well start at once, without putting off the
evil moment any longer. Ah-it is a
curious affair-he gave significant shrug
of his shoulders-and to think that, of all
people in the world, that girl should be
the victim!
Two minutes later the Major, with his
hat drawn we'll over his eyes and the
collar of his macintosh turned up closely
round his throat, set out at swinging
pace upon his unpleasant expedition.
Notwithstanding that the rain never
ceased during the Majors walk into Salt
cliffe and back, and that he returned
with his CATERS splashed to his knees
and with the water running in thin but
steady stream from the brim of his hat,
fortune certainly favored him that after.
noon. In other circumstances he might
have waited in vain for hours, but, as il
happened, he had scarcely returned to
the library and taken up his position be-
fore the fire more than couple of min
utes, when the door opened and Evelyn
Luttrell entered the room.
Oh, please do not move she exclaimed,
as the Major pushed back his chair, and,
glancing round to discover who the in
truder might be, Immediately started to
his feet. I have only come for a book
which my aunt wanted, so do not let me
disturb you.
Oh, do not mention such thing
Perhaps can help you to find the book
for Lady Howard.
Well, most likely you can, was the
reply, accompanied by bewitching
smile. 1t is thick green Ah, that
is the one! Thank you very much she
broke off as the Major handed her the
rather ponderous-looking volume. Aunt
Lydia will have plenty to occupy her for
the rest of the day if she reads this
through.
Yes-from its appearance, | should say
that one wet day would be hardly
enough. She will need two or three
more of the same stamp. But l am just
wondering, he proceeded, regarding her
with slight air Of perplexity, whether
you happen to be in particularly neigh
borly frame of mind this afternoon. The
fact is Do you know, Miss Luttrell,
l have rather strange fancy-at least, it
is not exactly strange, for dozens of
people have such fancies at one period
or another of their lives. With some it
takes the form Of collecting all kinds of
stamps, crests and epigraphs, whilst with
me-he spoke somewhat apologetic
tone-the mania is for keeping record
of the birthdays of my friends.
The birthdays of your friends echoed
Evelyn.
1t is a peculiar taste, no doubt, Miss
Luttrell but still must acknowledge it ;
and, if you will condescend to add your
name to my list of signatures, I shall
esteem it the highest of compliments.
But, commented Evelyn, how very
odd! Do you know, l always thought
before that the host Of birthday books
which are constantly being published
were used principally by girls at school
and certain individuals whose whole
existence is one perpetual "reminiscences
of pressed flowers, faded ribbons, and
sentimental odes.
Oh, yes-I know the persons exactly
Your description is most graphic land
the Major laughed heartily. But, as l
never wrote an ode in my life, pressed
even leaf, or have such a thing as a
ribbon-faded or otherwise-in my pos
session, there must, at all events. be one
exception to the rule.
Well, certainly. Still was just think
ing-contemplating Major Brown with
an expression Of decided gravity-that
you are the very last person in the world
1 should have believed would trouble
with anything SO trifiing as birthday
book.
Again he laughed-an apparently care.
less laugh-as he made futile attempt
to balance paper knife on the edge oil
the table, but this time his laugh rather
lacked its hitherto cheerful ring.
Anyhow, Miss Luttrell, you are not
going to refuse? Tell me-what are the
day and month of your birth?
The day and month ? repeated Evelyn,
raising her eyebrows. Oh, the fifteenth
OF August suppose you do not insist
upon the year as we'll?
No-I do not insist but anybody who
is particularly anxious to give it is quite
at liberty to do SO. There, Miss Luttrell
the fifteenth Of August! He had
pulled out of his pocket small rather
fantastically-bound book, and, opening il
at certain page, he now laid it down
before her. There is a verse of poetry
| for x,o,, onI a Epa of cboLas,,oorr -.