The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-06-15

most or that.
As he passed the Hllberts' door a
vaguely fororn hope tempted him
aside. and he knocked till the servant
| opened it.
"IS Mr.. Hilbert here?" he demanded.
"No. sir"
where is Mrs. Hibprt?"
an the drawing room. sir"
Il want to speak to her. Don't
trouble. | will 90 to her" He stepped
Inside and closed the door. and Nelly
was scared by the pallor and the tense
expression Of his face.
why! What's wrong. Edmund?"
she calculated
He told her. painting and stammering
incoherently.
Nonsense she interrupted There
must be some mistake'-
"There is no mlstake"" lie cried. 81
have his letter TO her.
where is it,"
"IIc says'-he was fumblin= hastily
In his pOciets-"hn says he has booked
their passage ana She l., to meet him
mt his Office by :. Oh. | can't
find it-muSt have left it at home. But
it doesn't matter-Ive told you what it
says. What am | to do"
"Oh, dear" falterrd Nelly. 'T knew
II told Alfred last night that he
was far too attentive to Letty-but oh |!
| never dreamt''-
"The rufiian!' he ragged. wildly. "If
| can only lay hands on him! But
| can't stop. | want to catch the next
train to Euston. it's a fast train and
may get me to his office just in time"
'Oh, please wait-let me come with
YOU"
They reached the station not mo.
mcnt too soon. The train stopped no.
where until it arrived at Euston. As
it drew up at the platform Edmund
sprang out and assisted Nelly to
aight.
Here! What's up? Where are you
two OFF to-"
They started round and were face to
face with Alfred Hilbert.
"Where is my wife," gasped Ed.
mnnl, scizing his arm.
Don't talk like fool. Tell me
what's happened"
You know well enough
Il tell you don't; want TO know.
And want to know. too, what are YOU
two tearing off together like this for:"
Either he was \ hardened and ac.
complShed hypocrite or he really did
find 1t hard TO realize exactly what he
was charged with. and eventually he
was as bafiled as themselves.
"Ail can say is" he reiterated. chat
note was not from me"
Put it's in your writing" Edmund
insisted.
Can't help that. I've never written
70 Lefty in my life-not since you've
known her Ned. anyhow. Where's
the letter."
Il thouIat | Lad II with me"-Fd.
mund began to search through his
pockets again-"I must have left it,
40 here It is"
He pulled it out. and the other two
read it over his shoulder.
Yes, that's mine. right enough" Al
fred admitted. Then, all of a sudden
he broke into roar of laughter. 1T
is mine"
ITS no laughing matter"---
"Why, mustn't man write to his
own wife. then: It's the note | sent to
Nell here. the day before yesterday"
1T can't be! How can It be-" pro.
tested Edmund. Il 70 ind 1t at my
house--in the fireplace"
"All right! You ask Nelly"
Nelly glanced at 1t again eagerly.
80 ii Is. she cried. laughing hystrr.
ically. I'VE We're going to the theatre
and weren't sure whether we could get
seats, ana Alfred was to try and book
them on his way to the city and let me
know, and that's his note"
And you both thought r.
'Well, but" Edmund interrupted. re.
ileyed and mortified at the turn affairs
had taken, "how is 1t that it was in my
hOusef"
why, | called TO see Lefty this
morning ana she had n headache" ex.
plaincd Nelly, so | slipped back home
10 fetch her some tablolds. and this ia
the paper | wrapped them init hap.
pened to be In my pocket. | gave Lefty
the tabloids ana threw the paper in the
fender, II | had tsought of it while
you We're telling me-and yet how
could II"
And you bolted In pursuit of Lefty
ana me"' chuckled Alfred. II called
AZ 'he paper shop on my way home,
ana reckon you two went by whilst
was inside. when | reached home
found the girl half of her head. All
she knew was that Ned here. had been
shouting, and you had run away with
him, and she had heard one OF Won saw
you must catch the next train TO Eus.
ton. | didn't know what to make OF
IL. so | came after you. and Just man.
aged to scramble into the last carriage
as the train started. say.
talk about running away with another
fellows wife, though" - he guffawed
ngaln--"i think it's me that ought to
do the shooting!'
But Edmund was In no mood to make
light Of his humiliation. and by de-
grees the others sympathetically sub.
hued them elves to his humor.
Back again at Watford. they shook