Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-09-07

ana his Sh1rtmaker, and a game OF
billiards with an acquaintance at the
club. it was quarter to five, and time
to start to Victoria, almost before he
realized that it was so late.
He got to the station in excellent
time, tossed his bag into a first class
carriage, bought himself some after
noon papers, and then looked about for
Lord Netherville. There was no great
crowd on the platform; large family
of children, going to the side, oc-
cupied the central position; a small
sprinkling of passengers were quietly
taking their places, but he could see
nothing of his cousin.
A long way down the train, three
men. apparently third class passen-
gers. were standing together in a
group-they stood with their backs to-
wards him, and close by him at the
book stall fingered a thin, sallow-
faced boy, who was looking apparent
ly at the sensational pictures on the
outsides of the yellow backed novels.
The boy was near enough to see
him, but not within hearing. Perhaps
for reasons of his own he did not
want TO come too near. Rupert saw
him-as one sees things that make no
impression on ones mind one way or
the other. but he did not notice him
particularly. Presently a man, in re-
spectacle dark clothes came up to him
and touched his hat to him.
Mr.. Carroll. sir?"
Yes. that is my name"
Il am Lord Netherville's valet, sir.
He has sent me to you with mes
sage"
Il never saw you before, my man;
how in the world did you find me
out?'
mot very difficult, sir the man an
swered. with a smile MY lord and
you is as like as two peas. My lord
told me l couldn't possibly mistake you
mo more 1 could. If you will allow
me to say so, it. it's the most extra
ordinary likeness 1 ever saw"
$50 people say. Well, and what
have you come to tell me?"
THAT his lordship is extremely sor
ry that he is unable to go down to
Harrington by this train, but he will
come by the next-the 1884"
Does he want me to wait for him."
mo sir; he most particularly wish
es that you should go on by this train
and explain to the ladies that he has
been unavoidably detained and that
he is exceedingly sorry that he cannot
get down in time for dinner He will
dine in town, sir, so that Miss Carroll
may not in any way be Inconvenience
by the alteration in his arrangements
He hopes to arrive at the house about
a quarter before o'clock"
"Very well, you can tell him that I
am very much disappointed not to
travel down with him. but we shall ex
pect him later"
The valet touched his hat and walk
ed away down the platform. Mean
while Billy had left his post of obser-
walton at the book STALL
That's im," he said to the Mar
uuis in a whisper jerking his thumb
backward over his shoulder.
The three men each in turn, one
after the other, but casually. not to
appear to be watching, turned half
round and took stock of the gentle
man at the further end of the plat
form. and then got into a third class
carriage.
1t was nearly dusk when Rupert
Carroll got out at Harrington. 1t was
cast half past o'clock, and the days
we're shortening. The rain had ceased,
and there was a red glow in the west,
where the sun had gone stornily down
rom under an opening in the heavy
clouds.
His sisters house was but half a
mile by the short cut from the station,
and the pony carria ge-her only con-
vevance-was not usually sent to meet
visitors, but the gardener had come up
with a barrow to wheel up the lug
gage. Carroll explained that he was
alone. and that Lord Netherville was
coming by the later train. The old
man took his bag an umbrella and
macintosh, and started off by the
-oad. which was rather longer than the
Seld path, and Rupert fingered for a
few minutes friendly chat with the old
stationmaster. who had known him as
A boy. Meanwhile. three travellers had
got out of third-ciass carriage at the
back of the train. and had passed
quickly out of the station in front of
him.
(which is the way to the village %
INQUIRED one of theni of country girl,
who was lettering outside the station
yard in the hope of attracting the at
tention of Joe. the porter. with whom
she was keeping company.
over yon stile. and straight on by
The path. You can so by the road, If
gou nke-but people mostly goes by
he field path-it is shorter"
And long before Carroll had left the
station the three men had flung them
selves over the stile, and became lost
to sight in the field beyond.
Rupert came swinging his stick gail
" as he stepped out of the station. For
moment he paused at the stile as
though uncertain whether to take the
field path or the road Ii he had taken
the latter. his whole life would have
been altered, and this story would
scarcely have been written, but after
a brief hesitation, he decided in favor
of the short cut. and jumped lightly
over the stile.
There were three grass fields be-
tween his sisters garden wall and the
station. The path ran across the CEN
ter of the first of them. and the sec
and was entered by a swing gate
Through this second meadow the path
followed the hedge. The hedge was
wade and high and struggling. and
there was deep ditch on one side OF
1t. at the bottom of which ran tiny
runnel OF muddy water, and great
clumps of alder bushes and brambles
struggled out irregularly from it, over
shacowed by a line of trees II was
quite impossible in the faint owls Right
20 distinguish clearly any objects
along the ragged hedgerow. and CIR
roll looksd neither TO the right nor (
the left. but walked quickly ahead
anxious only TO reach his sisters
house
Three forms crouehed silently under
: shadow OF = large thorn bush. Tn Z,
we're absoaS-ely motioniess. so stu