The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-05
BY Kate Trimble Sharber.
Copyright. 1914, by
Bobbs-Merrill Co.

odor OF escaping coffee.
1T Is inhabited!" cried.
darted around to the other
side OF the station, and there, in
q clump of trees was tiny cot
tage. l waited, and presently
there issued from the doorway a
man-wiping his mouth reminis-
Gently.
He espied me at once and came
up, cap in hand.
Twas you wanting something,
miss?" he asked.
"A train" replied. II have a
ticket to Bannerley-and | have
friends there waiting"
The man dared to smile. F'Since
the coal strike that's mostly what
folks does, MISS" he explained.
There was moment of strain
cd silence. which was broken by
the appearance of boy on a BIZ
cycle. The station master turned
to him.
Take this here parcel up to
Lord Erskine-and be quicker
than you was yesterday" he
said.
The boys face and mine chang
ed simultaneously, his brighten
ing. mine paling.
Lord Erskine!" | cried, lit
tie ghostly feeling of fear steal
ing over me--for my American
instincts failed to grasp the rapid
ity with which dead mems shoe
can be snatched off and fitted
anew in England-"Lord Erskine
Is dead"
The little messenger boy look
ed at me pitingly.
"'E wuz." he explained, "but
e amt now"
"And-and do you mean to
tell me that, this is the station
for Colmere Abbey?" / demanded
turning again to the man.
Yes, miss"
He tried hard not to look SUI
percilious, but there, six feet
above my head, was the name
"Colmere" in faded yellow let
ters against the black back
ground of the signboard.
IL hadn't thought to look
ct the sign-board," / endeavored
to explain. You think cant
get a train to Bannerley until"
Perhaps tonight-perhaps not
until tomorrow morning" he an
swered with cruel frankness.
My spirits sank. But, couldn't
I get a carriage, or "a"
He shook his head. I'VE most
ly uses bicycles around here
when we don't walk" he ex-
planned.
But must get to Bannerley!"
I burst out in desperation. And
am a first-rate WALKER How
far is it,"
WAS you wanting to get to
the village-or the hall?" he
asked. evidently impressed by
my severity, and my heart soft
ened.
ITO the hail." answered.
MRS. Montgomery is expecting
me-"
He tried hard not to show that
he was impressed, but he failed.
Evidently Mrs. Montgomery was
a great parsonage, and / took on
q tinge of reflected glory not to
be entirely ignored.
1.-THE hall is a mile from the
village--and the village is three
miles from here" he explained
gently.
The click of the telegraph in
strument clamored for his atten-
ton, so he reluctantly left me.
| remained outside, listening to
the cav of the rock. Presently
he came out again.
There will be a train through
here pretty soon-but it's coming
from the direction of Bannerley,
instead of going toward there
still"
still, it will give us occasion
to hope for better things later
on" | answered cheerfully. And
Il has occurred to me that |
might while away a portion of
the morning by walking up to the
gates OF Colmere Abbey. That
boy went in this direction, didn't
he
"Not a quarter of a mile, miss
down in this direction" he as
sured me. Just follow this
road, and you'll find the lodge
In q clump of trees"
The May" hedges were gIist-
ening with the early sunbeams,
and as l walked down the rail-
road track the distance seemed
quito . good deal short Of the
quarter of a mile mentioned.
found the clump of trees indicat-
od--then q small gray building.
There / was halted.
Eyes. miss-if you please!"
1t was an acid voice, and
looked at the doorway of the
house, out OF which an old wo-
man was issuing. She was CARRIED
in profound black.
II want to get Into see the
grounds of the abbey" I explain
ed casually. but she shook her
head. .
But that can't bel"
mo? But why not?"
She looked at me pityingly.
"Didn't you know we was in
mourningy" she demanded, brist-
ling with importance. you can't
90 sightseeing in here!"
mot even q little way7"
accompanied this plea by the
display Of . shining half-crown,
which carried in my glove for
emergeucy. but she shook her
head again.
Al thjR {arrued away sadly
D1rine my absence a train had
toIn4 ciatfefing in---and II stood
Ystonk-stiII now / viewed the To-
crmoftye IIstIeee1y enough. but
. ..... ~ 49,. - =. - II