Middletown transcript., 1904-05-28
s
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK
CHAPTER III


tall figure, which she recognized at
glance as Major Browns, suddenly ar
peared at the top OF the staircase, whicl
he was just about to descend.
Summoning all her dignity to her al
and with her head set proudly back. Mis-
Luttrell had prepared to pass on quickl
without deigning him more than a coldl
bow, when, to her amazement, ~as hi
eyes met hers, he Immediately pause
before her.
1 beg your pardon, Miss Luttlell, but
have found some lost property of yours
Did you not drop handkerchief in tn
dining last evening?
1t was trifling question certainly, still
it sent the color flaming into the girl
cheeks.
A handkerchief? she repeated. No.
am sure l did not with decided shake
of her head.
Are you quite sure. though, because
feel certain it is yonrs-at least, it has
your initials on it he returned, produc
ing the article in question and holding
up the corner where the crest of the Lut.
trells was embroidered over the initials
''E. C. L." This is it. Is it not yours
Evelyn looked at it astonished. 1t was
impossible to deny the ownership.
oh VOC ;tit SC p,iua
The admission was made with such
reluctance that Major Brown was con-
scious of feeling that in delivering up
the handkerchief to its rightful owner he
was rather under an obligation to her
for deigning to accept it than that she
owed anything to him.
He was therefore quite astonished at
the polite but distant Thank you" which
rewarded his efforts, and stood for some
minutes lost in contemplation OF the
slight graceful figure as it ascended the
remaining stairs and retreated down a
long corridor.
1t is no go, am afraid, this time, he
muttered half aloud. Sambo's mistress
has scented mischief already.
Yes undoubtedly his scheme had
failed. She had not been so blind as to
believe that in both cases his effort to
speak to her was merely chance and
the Major realized with sense of the
keenest disappointment that, as matters
stood, it was practically useless hoping to
make the slightest progress towards a
more intimate acquaintance.
There was nothing for it therefore but
to let things take their own course for
day or two, in the meanwhile preserving
such a strict silence, when CHANGING to
encounter Miss Luttrell, as to disarm her
of all suspicious, and then to trust to fate
to throw her in some way across his path.
At any rate, he was prepared to remain
an occupant of No. 40, on the second
floor of the "Royal George" even if he
had to remain until docmsday for that
suspicious moment to arrive.
Until doomsday! Yet, when only one
hot sultry afternoon, one cool dewy even
ing, and one sunshiny morning had
passed, Major Brown was thoroughly i'm
patient.
1t was the afternoon Of the second day
after his decision, and he was standing at
the open window of the smoking room
with most detected expression upon his
face. 1t seemed such hopeless case to
imagine that by keeping aloof from her
in this way he was making the slightest
progress towards the stage Of friendship !
at which he was resolved sooner or later |
to arrive. What should he do with him.
self? Go for stroll in the town? Yes
would be better than dawdling
away his time as he had been doing all
the morning. He was on the point of
withdrawing when footsteps beneath the
window and voices in slight but decided
alteration arrested bis attention.
No; it is OF no use-you are not to
come want to have quiet afternoon
under the trees, SO that can read nv
book without any chance Of an Interrupt
ton. | have just reached most excit-
ing point, and | am dying to see how it
all ends.
But how can my presence affect your
peace and comfort if l promise not TO
speak? Surely, if l bring plenty of
literature Of my own in which | am
equally interested, you cannot object
Yes; but l do =! | know SO we'll what
would happen. Just at the most pathetic ,
part, when the hero and heroine were
plunged in the depths of despair, you
would look calmly up from one of Reuters ,
most matter-of-fact kilograms, to discover
me with the tears streaming down my
cheeks. No, Mr.. Faikland-go to Salt I
'liffe, as you had arranged, buy new
lower for your coat, and
But at that point the voices and foot ,
steps passed out Of hearing
The Major shrugged his shoulders and ,
knocked the ash somewhat impatiently i
IF his cigar as he suddenly found him
elf lost in vague mental speculation as
o how far those entreaties would fail or q
ucceed. All the same, there was slight
rown upon his forehead as he turned I
way from the window and, apparently /
his resolution to take a walk =,
ound the town, he threw himself into a
ow chair, to puff away at bis cigar with q
enewed energy. 7
The hour of three had struck in loud
measured tones before he reused himself
gain and then, as though by instinct, h
e returned to his post at the window 4
1st in time to catch glimpse OF Miss 1
,uttrell and a large white parasol dis d
ppearing across the lawn in the direction q
an inviting clump of trees. h
So the fellow had failed, after all In v
oluntarily a smile rose to the Majors t,
'ee, particularly unsympathetic smile.
Poor beggar he calculated. VI
But all thoughts OF stroll in the town T
ad entirely forsaken him now. He also. o.
ke Miss Luttrell, had suddenly been b,