Middletown transcript., 1904-06-18
THAT MYSTERIOUS MAJOR

nui prise, W uuu suorstli cOuIfOHteu Dy
small programme-boy, who was holding
out for her inspection a note directed In
her annt's writing to-
t'Afiss Luttrell-Stalls, No. IA"
Dear me, hope there is nothing
wrong murmured Mrs. Courtenay in ag,
itated tones.
But Evelyn did not utter syllable as
she tore open the envelope and read the
envelope and read the following hurried
ly-penned words, which she instantly
passed to her companion.
Dear Evelyn have scarcely NOM
ent to write to you, having only just re-
ceived telegram from Royston School
asking me to 20 Immediately, as Wilfred,
poor lad, had serious fall this afternoon
and is lying in most critical condition.
am therefor starting off to him at once,
and am hoping to catch the $50 express.
If not, there is a fairly good train at 9. 10.
Anyhow, YOU will receive this in time for
you to catch the latter, as of course it is
| impossible for you to return to the hotel
dlOiIc, Gu blihb bICIC 10 uOpntAk AOi NOu w
| do but to follow Immediately. If am
in town for the express, / shall leave Par
| ker at the station to wait for you.
Your affectionate aunt,
LYDIA HOWARD.
Dear me, child-it was Mrs. Courtenay
who was the first to speak-how very
dreadful Poor Lady Howard-What q
state she must be in
Yes, indeed but whatam I to do? ask
ed Evelyn, who was only just beginning
to grasp the situation and to realize that
there was not moment to lose. If / am
to leave by the 9.10, ought to start at
once-it must be almost that time now
with despairing glance round.
Nearly $40? Oh, it cannot be SO late
already! But surely somebody can tell
US ! All, yes Is that you, Mr.. Falkland?
How fortunate broke off Mrs. Courtenay,
with sigh of relief, for Falkland was
passing back to his seat after the interval.
You will be able to give us the right
time.
The right time? Certainly Falkland
paused and pulled out bis watch. 1t is
exactly four minntes to nine. But some-
thing has happened, I am afraid. Can |
be of any assistance to you?
My dear Mr.. Falkland, of the very
greatest in the world The fact is, Miss
Luttreil has.just received note from her
aunt telling her of an accident which has
happened to her son; and, as Lady How
ard is gone straight off to the school, Miss
Luttrell has to leave also, and is to catch
the 9.10 train.
Then in that case, Miss Luttrell, you
have not second to lose, returned Falk-
land, taking rapid survey of the troub-
led-looking pretty face, which at the
sound of his voice had grown, ifpossible,
shade paler. You may just catch the
train, but only just; and you will have to
drive with the greatest speed imaginable.
However, come at once, and will pro-
mise that I will manage it for you; only
Don't you trouble, pray, Mrs. CourteDay
there is not the slightest occasion; you
can trust your charge with perfect conf
dence to me, and I will give you my
word not to leave her until have deliv-7
cred her safely into the hands of either
Lady Howard or the redoubtable Parker.
And 60 two minutes later it happened
that Evelyn found herself dashing along
at break-neck speed through the streets
of Satellite, seated side by-side with her
rejected suitor Falkland.
1t is very kind of you to trouble so,
she had tried to tell him above the rattle
Of the wheels the instant he had given di-
rections to the driver and they had start
ed off at pace more suggestive of fire.
engine than crawling English 'growler;;"
and perhaps her conscience smote her a
little as she remembered with what dis
dain she had treated him during the past
few days.
After all, it seemed that her aunt was
right when she SO emphatically declared
that they would have been utterly at sea
without the kindly help of Mr.. Falkland;
and she began to think that for the fu-
ture she would not be so ready to venture
her opinion when two such unreadable
characters as Major Brown and Gilbert
Falkland were on the tapis. Alas, could
it be possible that she had been so hope
lessly mistaken in the former? To her it
was incredible.
There was the usual hustle and excite |
ment consequent upon the departure Of a
train reigning at the small terminus OF
Satellite as E elyn and Falkland stepped
out Of the cab and made their way quick |
ly through the throng of hurrying porters
and trucks of luggage. Falkland made |
rush for the ticket-ofice, and then hast |
ened forward to find Evelyn, who had
gone on to the platform, looking anxious
ly round for signs of her aunt and maid. |
Aunt Lydia must have left by the ex-
press-she is not to be seen anywhere,
she said in some agitation; but Parker
and Sambo-they must be here.
Yes-of course they must; have you
not seen them yet? But you get in here,
Miss Evelyn, and make sure of carriage |
to yourself, and will 20 and find Parker
at once and bring her to you.
But if she is not here-if she has mis-
taken the train? The girls tone was
thoroughly hopeless.
Take your seats Take you seats came |
the voice Of the guard. Are you going,
Miss? Then take your seat, he said to |
Evelyn.
What was she to do? She was in de-
spair as she mounted up quickly to the |
first compartment, and then paused with |
her hand upon the open door, gazing |
anxiously down the platfoom. The next
instant however she beheld Falkland's |
gaunt form coming rapidly toward her.
Where is Parker? Have yon found |
herr gasped Evelyn, as to her horror,
she perceived that he was quite alone.
1t is all right, Miss Luttreli-there is
f. II.