Middletown transcript., 1907-06-01
A TERRIBLE SITUATION

gent message, ma am, said Ine
flustered maid, showing in a very
young man, whose handsome,
ingenious feaures wore a look OF
kindly concern, and who said in
a low, rather nervous tone:
Mrs. Meredith, I think; will
you kindly read this letter at
once !?
Mrs. Meredith took the mis-.
sive with eager fngers-all the
wife in her saying, Oswald !
something's happened--andsbroke
open the envelope. There was
sheet of commercial note paper
inside, with a printed heading
Spine & Cotiswode, Dealers in
Antiques and Curios, 81 Arundel
Street, Strand-and underneath
was a written communication
which almost stopped the read
er's heart. 1t ran
Dear Madam: We hasten to in
form you, by private messenger
that Mr.. Oswald Meredith has
met with a slight accident, which
necessitates his remaining quiet
for an hour or so. There is no
cause for the slightest alarm,
but he would like you to be with
him until he can return home.
Our representative, Mr.. Arthur
Hemming, has orders for your
service.
Your obedient servant,
Spine & Cotiswode.
What is it? What has hap
pened ? What has happend ?
cried the wife, exeitedly. Take
me to him. Mary, my hat and
cloak Have you a hanson :?
Shall we be long?
I do not think you need be un-
duly anxious, answered Hem
ming, as the maid hurried away
for the garments. Mr.. Meredith
slipped from the landing down a
stair or two, I believe, and bump
ed the back of his head. From
what Mr.. Spine said I fancy that
the gentleman was stunned for a
few minutes, and is now very
giddy, but otherwise all right.
Mrs. Meredith was soon ready
and in another moment or so they
were in Hemming's hanson,
bowling away cityward through
the murky November air.
How long shall we be, Mr..
Hemming
Not more than half an hour at
most, Mrs. Meeedith,
We seem to be crawling.
Your thoughts outrun the
horse; we are driving as fast as
we dare. I feel for you sincerely,
Mrs. Meredith, he continued,
sympathetically, but allow me to
repeat that you have no cause for
apprehension.
Do you really think so?
/ did not see Mr.. Meredith; but
my principals were evidently not
anxious. Mr.. Spine said he
would call in a doctor, if neces-
sary; but that bowl of hot water
and quiet would be quite as use
full as all the members of the Col
lege of Surgeons together, and
much less fussy.
The wife's heart lightened, and
she even laughed; they were al.
most like friends already, these
two.
Have you many friends in Lon
don, Mr.. Hem ming? she asked.
Not a soul. I am from Scot
land -. answered an ad-
vertisement for secretary to my
employers, and got the appoint
ment straighway. Most of the
work is letter writing and looking
up antique. I happen to
be a bit of a Judge of ancient
marks on plate and china :.
always had a bent that way.
Then you must come and see
US. Oswald mean my hus-
band-he is Meredith the pre-
cious stone dealer, you know
will be delighted, and so shall l.
We are always alone on Sunday J;
and perhaps it will be change
for you.
1t will indeed, Mrs. Meredith.
If you knew the lonely sort of
beggar I am you'd understand
what it means to me.
The stopping of the vehicle cut
short further conversation, and
he assisted his companion to
aligbt. Mrs. Meredith could see
little before save frowning, tall
buildings looming through the
dusk; but the young fellow led
her inside a lighted, open pass
age, and pointed to the stairs,
saying, I have another journey
to go, Mrs. Meredith, and Mr..
Spine said no one was to intrude