New-York tribune., 1905-02-06
Miss Fairbrofber'S Host.
BIZ THOMAS COBB.


sons mine always are but depend on you TO en-
tertain Christina Farebrother A delightful girl!
lhere VIII be no one else staying in the house 1t
Is only a kind OF bungalow. you know. Now. when
shall you Gomez"
Maxwell felt almost inclined to say he would not
30 at all. for indeed the prospect did not appear
very enticing. Mrs. Talbot somewhat Of an
anachronism. inasmuch her several children were
hrst and the rest OF the world nowhere.
m afraid can't turn up until Christmas Eve"
he answered. land shall have to away the
day after Boxing Day"
All wait until you have seen Christina" cried
Mrs. Talbot
de waited through the intervening three weeks
without the slightest impatience. and IN the end
came to missing Christina altogether the
sport being good Colonel Stoddards place
near Inverness. that Maxwell was almost tempted
10 stay in Scotland Christmas AS It was he
remained until the latest moment, and found il
possible TO change trains at Peterborough and
TO reach Sutton Warmleigh without crossing Lon
don.
II was nearly o'clock when he alighted the
small country station. which seemed be several
miles from everywhere. and was. in fact. two and
half from Talbots house. Maxwell had promised
in reply to Mrs TaIbot's reminder a week ago. to
arrive In time for dinner but to tell the truth he
did not feel the least anxiety at the idea of keeping
his most and hostess waitng-they the kind of
people who would certainly wait
Going TO the van TO rescue his KIT bag his gun
case and tbs box Of toys which he had bought for
the youngsters, Maxwell looked about for Talbot's
man. He knew there were no stables attached to
lhe mouse but, Mrs. Talbot having given an anus
ing description OF the ancient village omnibus
Ma1"eI expected that she would send IL TO meet
nm. ne was, however the only passenger to
ansnt at the small station. and vehicle of any
Kind appeared to be waiting outside From
porter he learned that the adjoining inn couId boas+
OF a carriage" which he at once chartered the
more thankfully because 1t was what Mrs Talbot
"ouIo describe as 'an old fashioned Christmas"
the snow already lying three inches deep
Inc house seernec 20 stand entirely by itself-a
one story building-wtth several fields IN front
through which ran a carriage drive quite indis-
CihsushaoIe tonight in the and the darkness
~niaN"ell ~ not unnaturally expected gladstone well
come aIter the allow. cold drive picturinE the open
door Mr. and Mrs Talbot in the holly decorated
a.l' the unrestrsinec children dartins out to r,se,
him. - ~
instead. the door remained shut; there was no
ngnt 10 be seen In any window; the house looked
utterly desolate and empty. -eN
ed ooks fSs What you may call gloomy like suggest
"eTTS atW4s ttogether TO restore circulation.
manded. 9N' aiN 70 Lonoon ne oe-
M. No train to London tonight, sir"
" nat lme Is there a train anywhere7'
.1s The fbsta last train m leaves before can get back
III doesn't make up any beds, and the children
nave got the diphthera,' was the answer There's
Awsgs Of Mrs Talbots morbid rnatarnal anxiety.
exodus an9 NOV No the cause Of her sudden
teIeeram TO his London rooms man OF some
hOusebreaking but the coachman. re@en bsrng 9
sne comforts OF the taproom insisted that his
result FsSg+ g that dye minutes later Marvel stood in
his guncase and the box Of TOYS eSiue MS Ai'DAs'
AIthough II was a first attempt, his efforts soon
| pushed back the window fastener sworn at the
impeding Venetian blind and overcome every diff
nn9oitins the front door and carrying his luggage
Striking a match. he lighted the lamp which he
Sss On ~ tne S nan taSe ABE and now the surroundings
no question Of such modern conveniences as gas
s5OSss S;s on or ses Light but with the hall lamp
sincerely hoping tina, he might md a practicabIs
weather there seemed little doubt that he would
be Compelled 70 stay where he was Christmas.
lest no time q lighting both, also the pair in the
terns bedroom he reotee9 TO se ths e.. & 5Gd
h1a fa8s6 0een %ade and taking on his ulster he
eombing his hair with his fingers when a." he h" heard
osy SAW R @ Sb is the se6 Eh 5n some ProE eg
froSTy o7FS glass outside the front door
on earth II Isl! and putting on his ulster again. he
So@se nov S6gsT a1s5 t. to MS the
ReaEEsnGs E zen Lghts @ shOns in the downstairs windows
the door Maxwell heheld tall, slimly built young
IadX, who ne at once guessed must be Christina
cheeks looked rosy after cold drive. Just behind
Asay te he bns an STsra baS aEe and o m
one enormous box, and and b.gun to tackle the second
Good evening" said Maxwell. as Christina
Her face wore an expression Of charming aston
IT may be good" she answered, but 1t is Ger.
Taking out her purse she paid the bus man who
leaving her boxes in the hall. quickly remounte6
his perch and took the retns
You see" said Maxwell. ITS no use to keep
'I scarcely imagine that Mrs. Talbot expects him
to stay cried Christina Would you mind TAX
weil ti YOU Know there isn't one he explained
The fact is, there's an epidemic Of diphtherta in
Poor Mrs. talbot,
Gone away" murmured Christina, while he
she has left you here TO tell me?'
oh well. doubt she sent you telegram
How could she when have been moving about
among half dozen country houses the last fort
night and she hadn't the slightest notion where TO
anyhow, give her credit for that urged Max
BILE OF thinking Of much beyond those children OF
"iaow abominably selfshr' exclaimed Christina,
What a dreadful situation. She promised to send
station thought It would be all right. When is
the next train?" she asked, exctsdiy:, 49,. :.
there were it would be difhcuit to reach the sta
uon:" -.
NO beds. and diphthera," said Maxwell
sfnsd ' $ help ni the
of a bad job, and stay here Al this to his hor-
sn S4a and shs s sfsnst sf tSe Ts a6S
began to cry, while the maid looked as helpless
&c 'oh. h. say, don't do that, You know urged Max,
we'll drawing closer. After all 1t will be bit Of
"A tokeY' she retorted
i really do do feel tremendeusiy hungry she said
And how terribly cold 1t isl! - -
to find your room and then your maid can see
This proposai obviously met with the woman's
warm disapproval. as she followed Christina up
% HaynG eca he FsRc Tc Tse Of ensas such @
he had never before experienced; ne Wisaea In, no