The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-19
CHAPTER x

Polly wakened at dawn and im- mediately set aboard dressing and packing. She was pleased to think that Jerry would find her awake and profltably engaged when he came to knock on her door.
 It puzzled her when morning came in earnest and he had not arrived to summon her. She thought, T must have misunder- stood. Could he have told her to call him when my trunk was ready?"
 She went through the long mar row tavern halls and down the stairs into the public room. There was 8 good deal of stir there, for guests were paying their bills and getting ready to be picked up by one coach or another in the stable yard.
 She drew the tavern keeper aside and said, Where is Jerry Whitfield, MT. Toby? Where is my cousin?"
 Why, couldn't say, Miss Chelsey. Come to think of it, I've not seen him this morning"
 "Then he's overslept, MT. Toby!' Polly exclaimed. "Send a boy to his room! Quick! We're catch ing the Dover coach!"
 MT. Toby made haste to com ply, for he was kindly man and always concerned for his guests He liked young MT. Whitfield, for all that he had discovered him to be an American, and he thought Miss Polly Chelsey very appeal ing and mannerly. Though young Whitfield had spoken of Miss Chelsey as "my cousin" MT Toby - sentimental man - soon saw there was more to it than that. He had remarked to the equally sentimental Mrs. Toby eff they're cousins, it's far distant I look to see a wedding any time now"
 "Sweethearts and Americans Mrs. Toby had sighed, for this lat- ter fact too she had discovered from certain evidence. And they want to pass for pair of English country cousins! Don't they know poor dears, that young English girl of standing wouldn't galla- want around without a maid ol some female companion?"
 Well, she seems lady for al of it," MT. Toby had said, and his wife had agreed. Though there's no denying Americans have strange ways"
 Since this romance so interested him and his good wife, the taverr keeper had taken notice of Jerr. Whitfeld's departure from the pub lie room last night with the yount woman in blue and the hackne. driver. He did not like the looks O. 1t. for young Whitfield had defin' itely said that he and Miss ChelseJ would be leaving early on the Dove coach. MT. Toby had watched fol Jerry Whitield's return until Il o'clock, when he had retired to hi! own candle-lit bedchamber ant nightcap. -,
 q dare say he's gone to hi room by the back stairs" he tolt Mrs. Toby. No doubt he know some folk here in London ant wanted to bid them goodby." But now here was Miss Poll Chelsey asking for him, and tn coach almost due
 When the boy returned to sa that MT. Whitfield was not in hi room and that his bed had no been slept in, MT. Toby and Poll looked quickly at each other. Tn innkeeper's expression promptl became evasive, but Polly's re mained blank with surprise. "Bu I don't understand" she said.
 "Nor I. Miss" The man felt wave of pity for the girl befor him. MT. Whitfield paid the bi last night, as l well recall, an drank an ale at that table near tn door Wait! I'll send the DOT ter's boy to the stable yard. He likely out there, looking after you dog" ,
 She clung desperately to thi hope until the boy returned. Tn dog was there, he said, as llvel as could be, but not MT. Whit field. He'd not been there sine last night. The stable boy knew because MT. Whitfield paid him t look after the dog. He'd give him a coin last night with order to feed and water the dog early.
 MT. Toby said kindly, Go t your room and wait, Miss Chelse! This is busy time for me, a you can see. I'll send breakfas ID to you. There's no knowln when something unexpected wi change a mans plans"