Middletown transcript., 1920-05-01
CHAPTER II-Continued.

This Struck me as the pleasantest
thing imaginable, though was still
dazed and my tongue seemed to have
died in my mouth. This girl, this
wholly charming and delightful
young woman, was the monstrous be-
ting had conjectured as the globe
trotting widow who had kidnapped and
married my uncle! Not only had she
married my uncle Bash and in due
course buried him; she had been a
widow when she married him. The
thing was staggering, bewildering.
She was clearly anxious to be friendly,
but nothing that I had thought of
saying to her fitted the situation.
I'm the first place" l finally began,
Il must apologize most humbly for
the earnest efforts of the servants to
murder you last night. Mr.. Terrence
had promised to let me know when
You would reach here, but he must
have forgotten it. ! had motored to
a friends house to dine and didn't get
back until the mischief was done.
I'm very sorry"
mot for the world would I have
missed that" she exclaimed with q
merry laugh. 1T was perfectly
delicious And it was al: my fault.
/ meant to remain day at Hartford,
you know, and send message to Mr..
Terrence from there, but l found that
by pushing on could reach here
yesterday. And you know we English
always expect strange things to happen
in America. ! don't understand yet
why those people at the gates were
50 jolly anxious to kill us; but 1t
doesn't matter; you would spoil the
Joke by explaining It,"
However, l did my best-it was O
weak attempt-tO explain the nervous
ness Of the veteran servants and theil
display of violence. Her arrival made
it likely that we should soon know
more about the parties" whose visits
and inquiries had so alarmed Antoine
and his comrades. l told her with
all the humor I could throw into the
recital of the drilling of the bell-hops
and Of the uncomfortable relations
between the Allied forces and the
Teutonic minority on the estate.
1T was dear ot Mr.. Bashford t.
provide a home for these people
wasn't he .eally the kindest soul thai
ever lived?" she said softly.
She gazed wistfully seaward, and
saw the CLEAN Of tears on her Ions
lashes. My uncle had. then. meant
something to her! No one, in speech
or manner, could have suggested thu
adventures less; uncle Bash was
gentleman, a man Of esthetic tastes
and the girl was adorable. More re
markable things had happened in thu
history Of love and marriage thar
that two such persons. meeting In
far corner Of the world, would honestly
care for each OTHER.
.You stopped at Hartford" ! began
breaking a long silence. you have
friends there"
mot one! I had made piou!
pilgrimage to Mark Twain's last home
at Redding, and hearing that he hat
lived at Hartford, came through
there to render my fullest homage
He has always been one cf my heroes
you know"
"Our Introduction is complete"
said reverently. Lets consider our
selves old friends"
II rather thought we understand
each other" she said in her even
mellow tones. "You know, we hat
your photograph out East-a yer!
good one, it seems-so had an ides
OF what you looked like.
He was very fond of you. HI
was very proud that you had gon'
into the war"
II am glad to hear that; though
he >dIsapproved Of me for refusing t.
go into business. He offered me
substantial interest before he soil
out"
r know taat; but I think be Ike