Middletown transcript., 1904-05-28

MUST she wake flml No-decldeui
not it would never do to disturb hi
slnmbers. Any annoyance that be migi
feel would be ten times increased ii Il
was so snlnmarily lyroused. Besides, cog
tated Evelyn, with a sigh of relief at tn
thought of a.respite, If he were accus
toned to dropping off to sleep in tina
way, nobody could possibly be hell
aecouhtable for what in the meanwhile
might happen to his belongings. Sh
would put the cigar case down by hi
side, and then-well, she might as wei
GO into the hotel and think Of what cours
to adopt next. 1t would not be nearl,
so disagreeable to confess tiat san,b,
was the delinquent if at the same tim,
she conld provide him with another ciga
case the facsimile of his own.
The new idea seemed SO preferable t,
her first one that, as she stepped forward
to place the case on the grass by his side
her heart almost ceased beating in he
anxiety not to wake him. 1t was there
fore with an expression of absolute dis
mays which could scarcely have beer
more suggestive OF guilt had she beer
detected in the act of committing some
heinous crime, that, as the Major sud
denly opened lis eyes, she started back
and, dropping the cigar, case at her feet
stood the picture of hopeless confusion.
II am SO dreadfully sorry she STAN
mered, thoroughly taken aback. l.
hope have not disturbed you.
Disturbed me echoed the Major, look.
ing perfectly mystifed. Oh, dear no
not at all He had sprung to his feet,
and raising his hat, was vainly trying to
collect his scattered senses.
The fact isl had come to ask you if
you have lost anything, began Evelyn
hesitatingly, looking round helplessly
and forgetting in toto the calm digniied
apology which she had intended to make /;
because I am afraid my dog has been
doing some dreadful mischief.
Really ? returned the Major. II is very
good of you, l am sure. But what has
your dog been doing? Is it anything SO
very serious?
Well, yes-that is what he has done |!
answered Evelyn, with rueful glance at
the cigar case, the dilapidated state OF
which plainly told its own tale. And
now | want to know if it belongs to you,
as, if SO, l cannot tell how l am to apolo-
gize for Sambo's dreadful behavior.
Where he discovered it, and how he
came into possession of it, l have no
idea, as / found it in his mouth only
about minute ago but
Then do not trouble, please. said Major
Brown courteously. tbs mine, certainly;
but it does not matter in the least. What
is OF more importance is, has lie eaten
any of it ?-because / should think that
Russian leather is not the easies, thing in
the world to digest.
No. Evelyn gave a dubious shake of
her head. Sambo knows liter than to
swallow anything Of the kind. IIe is too
fond OF gnawing my shoes not to hase
earnt by experience that leather is bad
hing for his digestion.
Major Brown smiled.
Ah-so this is not his first offence i? |
de asked the question anxiously, fearing
hat each moment Miss Luttrelf would |
'ring the interview abruptly to close
~ walking off imperiously with her
read elevated as she had done ON the
'revious morning.
Oh, dear, no! He DESTROYS something
very day; but, as a rule, he takes care
ot to spoil anything that does not be-
ong to me. That is one good thing, or
e would be everlastingly iii disgrace.
| see he evidently considers it a sort
mark of esteem, which he reserves
ntirely for his mistress, was the Majors
eply, made in somewhat speculative
me, If that is the case, l must look
pom myself as an honored individual
nee he has condescended to bestow his
.tention upon something of mine.
ONE, Sambo-let us swear eternal
iendship
Yes, Sambo-put out your paw and
lake hands like gentleman, and saw
ou are sorry for what you have done.
ut please let me have that unfortunate
gar case, she added suddenly, coloring
ightly, as the Major bent forward to
Ike up the remains of that once elegant
ticle. There will be so many different ,
nds, | suppose, and, if possible, Sambo
ould like to get you another exactly
ze it.
1t is very kind OF him, l am sure
ere was gleam of amusement in his
all the same, shall yalEe this
le far more than ever could a new one
Sambo's choosing and, il may be
lowed, I shall always keep it in remem.
ance OF him and-here lie lesitated and
anced down admiringly at the dis
rbed pretty face before liim-his mis-.
,ss
And SO at last Fate had been kind I
him.
As, five minutes later, the Major tucked :
newspaper under his arm and took a d
surely stroll round the garden, he :
me to the conclusion that, even had
E French poodle devoured a hundred
'ar cases, he would have been per-
lily compensated By that rather short
erview with Miss Luttrell, OF Luttrell !,
urt. =
CHAPTER " P
L is very awkward, but then it is Just e
actly what one might have supposed = =
uld happen. Lady Howard spoke in :
trangely perturbed tone. For the past
: minutes she had been occupied in 8 I.
ding the London paper, but the re- E,
rk, which was accompanied by faint el
b, was evidently the outcome Of pre- ct
us conversation. If one has a partic-
n antinathv for q nprta;,, ;nd;,;5,,.I -,