Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-12

She saw his tall figure once. he WAS
looking about him, but he did not see
her, and she took refuge in car
riage with three other women. and
slept away some OF her exhaustion on
the way to Waterford. There she had
to change. and on the platform the
first person she saw Meredith.
He came up to her at once
Why did you run away last nightT'
he said
II
Il don't want 70 worry you. but you
must LEI me look after you. You
look half dead. Have you had any
breakfast 80
Yes"
She had had tea and bread and
butter in the train, and the cool
morning air had whipped A faint col
OF 10 her white cheeks.
Slowly they Crept away into the
thick mist, nothing 10 be seen but
low fields, stone walls and driving
mist on every side. Mary felt her
spirits sinking lower and lower as she
approached her destination.
Are We there" she said
No, we've stopped for something
signal against us / expect"
Meredith put down the window and
looked out into the mist He saw A
row Of low sheds. the outline Of A
tiny station. a branch line, and nothing
beyond them but couple Of other
compartments. The rest Of the train
had gone.
She Confesses.
There they we're, left behind-in a
siding.
What has happened?" asked Mary.
Meredith turned and looked at her
with a rueful sort OF smile.
Were left behind"
Left behind" cried Mary aghast.
What do you mean?"
They've run us into a siding. and
the train has gone OH without us. The
fact Is. / was asleep. ! only woke up
to find ourselves dumped down here.
They let us get into the coach they
were leaving behind-idiots! But
wen get on somehow. Mary. After
all, 1t only means little delay"
He said her name involuntarily,
and Mary's heart jumped. Then a
feeling of dismay swept over her
But we may not arrive till night,
she said 81 suppose the only thing
we can do is to drive, II vehicle Is
to be had. We must be twenty miles
from our destination, at least"
Il suppose so, but what does II mat
ter? They'll understand"
1T may not matter for you" said
Mary. In a low. harsh voice. They
will excuse in guest what they may
not pardon In the governess."
Meredith stared at her as II she hal
suddenly gone mad.
THE what?' he said.
THE governess. That is what I
am"
You're mad"
I'm not; it's a fact"
You a governess2 What does II
mean? What are you masquerading
for2"
It's no masquerade. I'm a govern
ess because can not dig, and 10 beg
! am ashamed" said Mary, with a
miserable little laugh. That's ALL"
But do YOU mean to say you've got
to do III" said Meredith, dazedly.
Yes. Everything went in big
smash on the Stock Exchange more
than "A year ago. | have to do some
thing. and the Wintons wanted a
governess for their two little nephews
who are living with them, that's all"
AM said Meredith, violently.
"And I knew nothing of II. l never
heard a word OF this before. When
we met last do you know what sent
me away in such haste? Can you
guess2"
NO"
1T was because was afraid TO
stay l loved you so much, and
could not speak was only a poor
soldier of fortune-you were a
wealthy heiress. / had already been
called a fortune hunter by those who
must have seen how | fingered at
your side. didn't think you cared
so | went away. Now, Mary darling
I'm free to speak. l can't give you
the riches that are gone, but l can
give you good home and lots OF
love. Do you care a little2 Try to-
Mary, when l care 50 much. l be-
lleve Fate brought us together or
purpose"
And let us in a siding" said Mary
with a smile breaking over her face
Ike sunshine through mist.
TT might have left us in worse
place" cried Meredith, his arm about
her shoulders. Mary. is 1t going tc
be Yes p
"Yas-yeS" TnurpnuYed Mary