The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-03-03

went, out soon IOunQ 1lmSol1
H again near the executive man.
sion. The merriment was al
its height. Afraid of meeting some one
who would recognize him, he walked
on rapidly. He wanted to be in
motion. 1t was the only thing that
seemed to deaden the agony in his
breast. One moment he would clInch
: his hands and stifie groan of pain as
he thought of Lydia's social triumph
and her nearness to the man he de-
spised and yet dreaded, ard he would
pause and look up at the sky as II
trying to read there a. reason for his
misery. He was again passing the
Dunleigh house and was about to re.
trace his steps to his hotel when he
heard the sound of an approaching car
rage. He believed 1t to be the Dun
leighs' and darted into the grounds
and back to his former hiding place.
He was right.
The approaching vehicle turned in at
the gate ap1 was rapidly curving to-
ward the veranda when George noticed
that one of the rear wheels was COM
ing eff His heart was in his mouth
He wanted to give the driver warming
but 1t was too late The wheel was
Off The carriage lurched to one side
There was chorus of muffied screams
from within. and, to make matters
worse, the horses took fright and be-
gan to rear and plunge. With no
thought as to the incongruity of his
presence there at such moment
Buckley darted from his place of con-
cealment and ran to the aid of the Ia
dies, who were loudly calling for help
and trying to break the heavy plate
JOlting carriage along the drive and
finally succeeded in jerking the door
open just as the coachman drew his
horses to a stand In the light at the
steps, George helped the ladies out.
''Why, it's Mr.. Buckleyw exclaimed
Mrs. Cranston, in grateful astonish-
ment. 1t was most awkward mo-
ment Buckley could only bow. his hat
in hand and pale to the lips. Miss
Cosby gave him knowing look as she
extended her gloved hand.
at was good of you" she said.
Mrs Dunleigh seemed so much ex-
cited over what had happened that she
took no notice of Buckley nor seemed
to remark on the oddly Of his sudden
appearance at such an opportune mo
ment. The coachman unhitcheo tie
horses from the carriage and led them
away, leaving George in the cente" of
the cluster Of ladies. Kitty Cosby in
PRODUCED HIM to Mrs. Dunleigh. but
that lady simply bowed and continued
her nervous EXPLANATIONS of horror at
the catastrophe. Il thought we were
being hurled into eternity
I'm our reception gowns" laughed Kit
ty, who was calmness itself. "Pshaw!
Mrs. Dunleigh, knew tie old thing
would simply drag and bump along till
Harrison stopped the horses, but 1 do
believe you and Mrs. Cranston would
have crushed the life out of Lydia and
myself"
well, I'm glad it was no worse" de-
elared Mrs. Dunleigh. Come on in.
You'll all catch your deaths out here
in those thin dresses
Lydia and George assembled the steps
last. and she paused with him a mo-
ment alone on the veranda. She had
not spoken.
II have simply no explanation to
make" he said, eying her contritely.
"Explanation?" she said. why should
there be onc?'
LAS soon IS their excitement Is over"
he reminded her, they will wonder
how | happened to be up here in the
grounds at this time of night
"Oh.' She raised her eyes to his in
a startled expression.
But you may know" he went on
"you may know that it was simply be-
cause l was dying to catch a glimpse
of you. vas half crazed with desper-
alton over 1t all-all this affair in your
honor given by that MANTLE rumor
over the whole state that you are to be-
come his wife. l did not come to At
lanta for this | came on business. l |
finished my work at shutdown and o.-ht |
10 nave gone back home, out my mis-
cry chained me here. won't keep |
back anything l passed here earlier
in the evening and noticed the car
rage waiting for you. saw that l
could hide behind that hedge and So" !
you come out did 1t and drank in !
you. Aanutv and mr. daeDer desna.=-