The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1909-05-04
(COntinued.l

4
| the moral and commercial worth of
| the motor-agent and of the manufac-
turer with whom he dealt seemed to
| relieve his feelings to some degree; he
returned to Browns In a much milder
frame of mind than that in which he
| had gone out. He was kept pretty
busy till the time of departure. but in
his secret heart-made up to action
during the time of his work-he deter
mined to try to make amends to Judy
for the pain had not been present at
that scene which it already panied him
to look back upon.
He was somewhat incensed that as
he could not leave by his intended
train he would have to postpone the
journey by several hours. He could
not now arrive at Ambleside till near
ly midnight.
In the train he took the first oppor-
tunity Of making the amende to Judy.
Mrs. Ogilvie had fallen asleep-she had
been awake since very early in the
morning, so the Colonel said quietly to
his siSter-in-law:
Judy I want you to forgive me. if
yau can She thrilled with pleasure
as he spoke her name in the familiar
form. 1t seemed some sort Of preSage
of a change for the better. sort of
lifting of the ban which had all day
lain so heavy on her. As he went on
her hopes grew: there were possibilities
that. after all. Joy was not yet finally
doomed to unhappiness. At all times
Colonel Ogilvie was impressive in his
which he had long ago founded him
self was permeated with conscious self
esteem. Now when the real earnest
ness of the moment was grated upon
this pronounced manner he seemed to
the last degree dignifed-almoSt pomp-
GUS:
'T cannot tell you how sorry I am
that I caused you pain this morning,
or how ashamed I am for having so
lost my temper before you. For more
than twenty years I have honestly
triad. my dear. to make you happy"
Here she INTERRUPTED him: "And you
ed gravely:
THANK you. my dear. I am grate-
full to you for that kindly expression.
It does much. assure you. to mitigate
the poignancy Of my present concern.
1t was too bad Of me to let my bitter
ness so wound you. It shall not occur
again. Moreover I feel that owe you
something; and I promise you that if
| anger shall try to obey you to the
best Of my power. You shall tell me
| what you wish me to do: and if can
| I shall try to do it," Here look of
| face: 81 won't promise to give up a
purpose of my life or brook any inter-
| ferencs with the course of honour
that I can promise to no one. not even
| to you my dear. But if can grant
j any consideration-cr-or favour I
/ shall certainly try to do so!'
Judy was not so well satisfied with
the end of the promise as with the be-
| ginning. But 1t was hopeful of better
things for the future: so he meekly
and gratefully accepted it en- bloc.
| When they arrived at Ambleside it
| was dark and the lamps at the station
lent but a dim light. 1t became evil
dent to Mrs. Ogilvie and Judy that
Colonel Ogilvie was disappointed at not
finding Joy awaiting them on the plat
| form. He had. during the journey, ex-
l nlaira5 tn thnr1 with hnra finn
| that they were not to expect her as
he had said there was no need of her
coming; but, all the same. he had him
self expected her. AS the train drew
| looking carefully along the whole range
| Of the platform. When, however, he
ascertatned that she was not there, he
turned his attention to Judy whom he
observed pro1ong1ng the search. His
mind at once went back to his original
concern that there was something be-
tween her and Mr.. Hardy. She heard
| him say to himself fiercely under his
breath:
THAT damned fellow againI" She
! did not Of course understand that it
was with reference to herself, and took
| it that it presaged ill to Joy. She knew
| from Colonel Ogilvie's expression and
bearing that the man he had now
grown to hate was in his mind. and
| with a heavy heart she took her place
| in the waiting landau
When the carriage arrived at the
| hotel Colonel Ogilvie jumped out and
ran up the steps. This was so unlike
his usual courtesy that it not only
panied the two ladies but made them
| anxious. When Colonel Ogilvie forgot
his habitual Difference to women some
thing serious indeed must have been
in his mind! When they followed.
could, they found him in the hall read
ing telegram. A railway envelope
lay on the table, and beside it a little
pile of letters. When he had finished
| reading the first telegram he opened
| the second and read it also. All the
| time his face was set in a grim frown,
| the only relief from which was the
wrinkling of his forehead which be-
trayed an added anxiety. He handed
the two transcripts to his wife. saying
as he did so:
Il have put them in order: one is
few hours earlier than the other!" Mrs.
Ogilvie read in silence and handed the
forms to Judy. the Colonel remaining
grimly silent. Mrs. Ogilvie said moth
ing When Judy had turned over the
last and looked at the back of it in
that helpless manner which betrays in
adequate knowledge. Colonel Ogilvie
said:
"wen?"
Il trust the poor child is not in any
danger" said the mother.
How thoughtful of her to have sent
twice. She knew you would be so
anxious about her!' said the aunt,
wishing TO prOpltlate the angry father-
For fully a minute no more was said.
Then the Colonel spoke:
"She went motoring. In whose car?
1 have not yet got my own!'' AS he
was speaking the hotel proprietor came
| into the hall to pay his respects, as
he usually did with incoming guests.
He heard the last remark and said:
Pardon me. Colonel Ogilvie. But
your car has arrived. The chauffeur
who mad charge of it and came in the
same train with it to Kirby Stephen
drove it here some time agor' Colonel
Ogilvie bowed a slight acknowledge
ment and turning to Judy said:
"Then 1t could not be in that car she
went. If not whose car was it? Whom
did she go with? We know no one
here who owns a car; and we did not
make any new acquaintance during
our stay. Indeed none even of our old
acouaiatances did us the honour of
calling. But perhaps my dear Judy"
he spoke with manifest and comforting