The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-02-25

Tea. She had even eaten bit OK
scone with fresh butter and MARINA
lade, which was very good A warm
shawl was wrapped round her shoul-
ders; and the delicious sensation OF
repose and. warmth over her tired
limbs, while yet sweeping at so great
pace over the country, with the
wind in her face and the long, dou-
bling roads flying past, was delights
full to Janet. The sound Of Toms
households galloping, now behind.
now in advance, added to the sense
of supreme comfort and pleasure.
She had been 80 tired, and the pros
pect Of riding back nao been SO ter
rible! She felt as il flying through
the air, which caressed her cheek, as.
warmly tucked in by Charlie Black
more's side, she was carried home.
Charlie was very kind almost uR-
necessarily kind. He spoke loud in
her ear, with intonations at which
Janet wondered vaguely, finding them
very pleasant. He told her great
many things about himself how he
had never INTENDED TO stay at home
"among the beasts" how he had
been session at college, and meant
ito go back again; how he had once
hoped to be something very much
better than a hOrse-couper like his
father; and how to-day all his ambi-
ton had come back Swept along
so lightly, so smoothly, with such
ease. with such warmth and comfort,
almost leaning against Charlie Black
more's strong shoulder, with his voice
in her ear, and the sweetness of the
wind in her face, Janet felt herself
held in a delightful trance almost
like sleep, yet which was not sleep,
or how could she have felt the pleas
ure that was in it? 1t was only when
the drive was almost over, and the
mare made whirl into the avenue,
scarcely to be held in until the gates
were opened, and flying, after that
momentary, enforced pause, like an
arrow under the dark waving of the
trees, that her heart suddenly sprang
up with sickening throb of what
mother would say. Janet had been
in a sort of paradise. She came down
now in moment to all the anguishes
Of earth. She broke in upon some
thing Charlie Blackmore was saying,
with the utmost inattention and in
consequence Can you hear Tom?"
she said. "Oh, where is her? Tom,
Toni"
He is just behind us. Don't be
frightened; he is all safe, {" said Char
lie. casting glance behind.
The mare made a start at this, mo-
ment, and, straining at the curb.
bounded on again. Some one had
come out upon the road almost under
her nose dark figure, which just
eluded the wheel, and from which
came a voice almost echoing Janet's-
Is that Tom?"
@Oh, it's me, Beau" cried Janet.
wildly, @and Toms behind She was
carried on SO quickly that half the
words were lost.
Was that your stepfather? They
will be anxious about ye / would
saya-Charlie made a little pause to
secure her attention--aI, would say
you were passing near our place,
never thinking We had come so far,
and that my mother came out to We.
seeing We so tired, and bid me to
bring We home in the cairt--that's
what would say"
"Say!" cried Janet, fully reused
up. Dou you mean that | should say
that? But it would be lie.'
Deed, and so it would," said the
young man with shamefaced laugh.
"But to make an excuse for yourself
is aye pardonable, do We, no think?
Andsthen it would save Mr.. Tom. Be
you sure now my father knows he has
given his word against it, he shall
never be asked into our house more.
4Oh," said Janet, Il could not say
anything had made up. When the
moment comes and mother looks at
me, I can only say-what has hap
pened'
but nothing has happened, said
Charlie. Except" he added, zone
thing, that I'll maybe tell you about
some day. But that has happened to \
me, and not to you. Miss Janet,
you'll not forget me clean alto
gether?"
ooh. how should forget you."
cried Janet, with sob, when l know
] shall get into such dreadful trouble
as never was in before in all my
life! Oh, mother!"
The girl had thrown OFF her wraps
and tumbled down from the dogcart,
almost before it had stopped, into the
middle of the group on the steps.
which consisted Of Lady Car herself,
wrapped in great shawl. her sister,
and half the servants in the house.
Janet! Oh, where have you been?
And where is Tom? What has hap
pened?-tell mel" cried Lady Car,
taking her daughter by the arms and
gazing into her eyes with an agonized
question. The arrival of the cart at