The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-04

/ but this IL your nearest hope Tor .
train to Bannerleyi" the guard said
by way OF an appropriate farewell
70 OFF got
The only moving bodies visible
! were paper sack being blowr
gently down the track. a blue rs
buxElng around blackened bananI
peeling and rock cawing over
head. looked up at the rook anC
smiled philosophicaliy.
Then. as IL In reward OF my opti
mism. began to scent the odor o.
escaping coffee
1T Is inhabited" cried.
darted around 10 the other sid.
OF the station. and there. In a clumI
Of trees wRR tiny cottage.
waited, and presently there issued
from the doorway a man-wipini
his mouth remIuiscently.
lie espied me at once and cam,
up. cap In hand.
Was you wanting something
miss ?" he asked
a train" replied. Il have .
ticket TO Bannerley-and ] have
friends there waiting"
The man dared 10 smile Since
the coal strike that's mostly wha'
folks does. miss" he explained
There WAS moment OF strained
silence. which was broken by the
appearance OF boy on a bicycle
The statlon.master turned 10 him
Take this here parcel up to
Lord Erskine-and be quicker than
you was yesterday" he said.
The boy's face and mine changed
simultaneously. his Frightening
mine palsng.
Lord Erskine," ! cried. n little
Ehostly feeling OF fear stealing over
me-for my American instincts
failed 10 grasp the rapidlty with
which dead mems shoes can be
Rnatched off and fitted anew In
England Lord Erskine IL dead. .
The little messenger boy looked al
me pityingly.
II wux." he explained, but e
Amt now"
"And--and do you mean to tell
me that this r. the station for Col.
mere Abbey" demanded, turning
again 10 the man.
Yes. miss"
He tried hard not 10 look super
cilions. but there. six feet above
my head. was the name "Colmere'
in faded yellow letters against the
black background OF the signboafd
II hadn't thought TO look nj
the sign-board," ! endesvored TO ex
plain You think can't get a
train TO Bannerley until"
Perhaps toaight-perhaps not
until tomorrow morning, he an.
swered with cruel frankness.
Ny spirits sank. But, couldn't
get a carriage, or a"
He shook his head We mostly
usea bicycles around here-when
We don't walk" he explained.
But ! must get to Bannerley'"
| burst out in desperation. And !
am a first-rate walker! How far
is it,"
Was you wanting to get TO the
yillage-or the hall?" he asked. evi.
dently impressed by my severity,
and my heart softened.
ITO the hall" answered. Mrs.
Montgomery ia expecting mo"
He tried hard not TO show that
he was impressed. but be failed.
Evidently Mrs. Montgomery was a
great parsonage, and took on a
tingc OF reflected glory not to be
entirely ignored
THE hall IS a mile from the viii
lage-and the village is three miles
from here" he explained gently.
The click OF the telegraph instru.
ment clamored for his attention. so
he reluctantly left me. remained
outside. listening TO the cav Of the
rock. Presently he came out again.
There will be train thru here
pretty soon--but It's coming from
the direction OF Bannerley. instead
OF going toward there-stili-"
Still. II will give MS occasion to
hope for better things later on" |
answered cheerfully. And Il has
occurred to me that | might while
away portion OF the morning by
walking up TO the gates OF Colmere
Abbey. That boy went in this di.
rection. didn't he7"
Not quarter of mile. miss
down in this direction" he assured
me. Just follow this road, and
you'll find the lodge in clump Of
trees"
The May hedges were glisten.
ing with the early sunbeams, and
az | walked down the railroad track
the distance seemed quite good
deal short OF the quarter of mile
mentioned, found the clump of
trees indicated--then n small gray
building. There was halted.
Yes, miss-if you please?"
II was an acid voice. and looked
at the doorway of the house. out of
which an old woman was issuing.
She was CARRIED in profound black.
Il want to get into see the
grounds OF the abbey" | explained
casually. but she shook her head.
But that can't be-"
Mo- But why not7"
She looked NJ me pityingly
Didn't YOU know we was In mourn
ing?" she demanded. bristling with
You can't 20 sight
seeing in here"
mot even a little way?"
accompanied this plea by the
display OF shining half.crown.