The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-01

Miss Beaufort, granted there is MOI
shadow of excuse for me. still le
me implore you to be merciful. I de-
serve anything for playing such a
fools trick. The love of practical
joking has been the bane OF my life.
l shall never try another, though. See.
this pistol is only toy; it holds a
concealed vaporiser-the sort of thing
boy cyclists use and get amusement
out OF, to squirt water over stray dogs
and children. I'm a cad to have such
thing in my possession, but there
1t is. See?" He pressed the pistol
and small spray went through the
open window. The train had almost
stopped. May had sunk to the seat
she was only half conscious.
"Please-please leave the explana-
ton to the guard to me. 1t isn't that
I'm not ready TO take the consequence
Of my disgraceful behaviour, but l
should be such a laughing stock. I'm
the member for Southshire, as you
know. This setout, if it became
known, and the papers got hold of
it, would most certainly lose me my
seat"
He could hear the guards voice
asking for information at the window
Of each compartment. May sat up.
white and shaky. Tears were begin
ming to fill her eyes.
The guard reached their window
and opened the door. Sir Charles
spoke:
This lady was taken ill-fainted.
l lost my head, I'm afraid. l don't
know a bit what TO do in such cases.
l feared she might be dying, so II
stopped the train. Now-now she
seems better"
For an instant the official looked
annoyed, then took apother look at
May; and his brow cleared.
why, it is Miss Beaufort" he said
sympathetically. She do look bad.
I'd better see if there's doctor on
the train"
At this May protested.
I'm better now-much better.
Please don't call any more attention
to this regrettable accident. lit
was most absurd of Sir Charles to
stop the train"
I'm terribly sorry" that unhappy
baronet murmured. but you did look
most awfully i'll. l Will look after
Miss Beaufort. If she isn't better at
SOuthby, we must see if we can find
doctor. I've a flask of brandy in
my bag. l think she'll be all right"
The guard touched his hat and dis
appeared. A little more delay, and
the train moved on. Sir Charles
heaved a sigh of thankfulness.
How shall l ever thank you?'
Contrition became him. He looked
almost handsomer serious than laugh
ing. He was looking down at the
ground in deep self-abasement May
decided that she never had seen such
eyelashes.
How did you know my name?"
Il know Lord Beaufort by sight
everybody does; then l am going to
the dance at Bettington, and l had
heard you were TO be there. The rest
was easy"
Mays infectious laugh broke out
once more.
81 can't possibly let YOU off scot
free. | must tell the people at Bet
tington. Oh, what a joke. l shall
have full revenge"
oh, come! AS YOU are strong, be
merciful. You won't really tell, will
you?"
Il shant promise Let me look at
that ridiculous revolver"
1T is a silly toy, isn't it? There
is a vaporiser concealed in the ham
die, you see spray comes out-like
this"
With the suddenness of lightning
he put one arm around her. Her face
was damp-the spray from the toy
pistol was going up her nostrils-the
faint sweet scent of chloroform was
in the air. She tried to cry out, the
spray went down her throat; her head
leaned against Sir Charles shoulder.
He was speaking quietly, soOthingly.
There, little girl. Don't struggle
keep quite still. You've given me n
run for my money, haven't your"
Something was pressed over her
mouth and nose. Never mind; all's
we'll that"
The voice died away, and she
dreamed strange dreams. Then she
heard a confused murmur of voices.
A lot of people seemed to be talking
Her own name was mentioned.
She opened her eyes. She was ~
ing on a couch in a waiting-room.
Three or four people talked together
in a group. A woman bent over her
holding brandy to her lips. Another
sponged her forehead. A doctor bus
tied in just as she tried to sit up.
"Oh, she'll soon be all right" he
said cheerfully. Now, please don't
try to talk just yet. Lie still. You've
undone her collar? That's right. Now,
my dear young lady, do keep still"
She Obeyed for a short space OF
time. The doctor held her wrist.
shell be none the worse in a few
hours" ,..~.-..
Where am u" asked May feebly.
AT SOuthby. The guard of the Bet
tington train gave your name and ad-
dress. We ave wired for Lord Beau
fort.
"Where is Sir Charles Fuller?" she
asked suddenly, gradually remember
ing.
The station-master coughed.