Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

[All RIGHTS ISSSBTIO^ NO; EOBB HENRY FRITH. iL Jivihor of The Mystery of Moor Farm" Ojt the Wings of the Wind," Through Flood, Through Fire *$c.t &e, .eo- CHAPTER XV. ■ —«-" OHS SUP N EAR Bit." SIR WALTER WATSON was very indignant, and can we wonder at it ? His pet locomotive-the one engine on which he had permitted his august name to appeat P-had been roaming about upon the railroad by itself, like a common ":pilot "sent before the Queen. Preposterous! But this runaway had done some service. Edward Watson had escaped, and by the prompt interven- tion of the signalman. He had also been indebttd to the young lady," as he called her, in the gignalman's hut; and what was more natural than that he should tell his friend, Lady Deane, at the Hall, the circumstances of the case. I He was a generous lad, and wanted to award the signalman and the young lady who had somehow got into the signal-box. He knew quite well that young women in the boxes were against regula- tion, and yet sho had been instrumental in saving his life. Had she not been ready at hand to work the levers the sigealraan could not have left his box, and the engine might never have been followed and Overtaken. No doubt he owed her much but how was he to pay his debt ? Sir William had already prohibited him from wandering about the shops," and many a run had been nipped in the bud, so to speak, in conse- quence of thAstern n-andate. Edward could not ride his ho shy his engine—until he had obtained his father's sanction. Tn his d'stro-s he tuixed to bis flidld Lady Deane for assistance. She han not long before returned from Tndia with a son and heir, and o-, e t,, were the rejoicings at the Hall wh, n it was announced that the "colonel's lady ha'! manasred matters so well as to present her husband, at last, wi-h a son. o her triumphant went young Watson v. i.h all the confidence of youth. Oh, Lady Deane, I'm in such a fix; it's a re- gular scape this time the governor's in a dreadful way." What have you been doing .isk-d his friend, (Smiling hs sv e took his hand, and retained him by the chair in which she w as seated. You are a very J'eckless toy, I'm :-¡Jrai,]," "No, indeed, 1 I,d.: one, I'm not. I only took out father's new ell.1JW by accident. I fell asi ep somehow, and i went away by it elf. I can't explain." "You fell asleep! To you mean j h:-1t you got upon the engine sleepy, or were permitted to remain there ? Well, this is how it was. Sandy rii I "Who r" exclaimed Ladv D-ane. n surpii-e. r "Sandy Sam. Don't yon know who he is?" in- quired Edward in astonishment. Lady'Deane replied that she had not the honour Of his ac uaintance. It's no great honour anyway," iepl cd the boy. "Sauely Sam is the fore-nan in the shops, and he let, me do as I like. IL put me on the Watson,' and "The Watson! What is that, ? I don't quite understand yo i, dear," Ea:d her adyship. "Why, the fnirine, of course," replied the lad. f My father has had it cancel after him, you see, and nobody but the governor had any business upon it. But Sandy Sam—well he doe n't care much for the governor—and let ne <o." "Docs your father know !hit inquired Lady liid li, r Xo. but. I shall tell him some day. Sam iso" a pM fellow, but he and the pater don't hit it off, and And so this nnn acted in dire t opposition to your father's ord. rj, permitted, ou to go upon an engine, and took no care to see that it was secure ? I on't much like Mr. S ndy Sam. I will speak to Sir Walter mys It." Oh, please, don't. Sam will get into a row, and 8i) shall I. Dear Lady De me, listen a moment. I feU asleep I can't tell how, b.-cause I had only a gla-s o" gii jp -V eer. "Who gave you the gingerbeer. Edward?-' 41 AVhy, old Sam, of course. There's plen!y at the sLall near the gate, arid then I must have gone to I sleep, and never woke till the engine was under way" You were very fortunate to be rescued so promptly Yes, wasn't I And that is what I came about. The signalman in the cutt'ng follow, d me on another engine, and actually saved my life." Wh t, and left his po..t ? "Yes; and here is tbe rations tlr'ng. A woman was in the signal-box, and all the work while he was away. v Perhaps she is his wife. At any rate she is very nice and prettv, and has a lovely child, just. like the o'eber you showed me the Othe- day." 'Vhat soldier, dear ? in pnred Lady Deane, I'stlesslv, for these detads did not much interest her, and she "as thinking of her husband far away in Tndia, fighting perhaps own then, or lying dead upon the field of battle. What soldier ? Whv, the soldier in your dbum-the colonel- your husband, i.,n't he. ? My husband, boy! Do you know what you are Saying r" Of course I do," replied the unsuspecting and ingenuous youth. This girl or woman—very pretty she is -has a baby like him, and she saved my life. Now, I want you to tell me what I ought to do about her. I have money —— "Like my husl and," murmured Lady Deane, without takir g any noti e of the boy. Quite im- possible," she added aloud. I have, indeed," continued Edward. I can give her money but! wish you would tell me. I ouppose, you like to see herP" Lady Deane smiled at the idea of her calling upon a signalman's wife arid daughter. Yet there was (Something curious about this woman who had sud- denly arrived fiom abroad, as Edward informed her, with a child bearing so striking a resemblance to the fIOlonel that even the lad had remarked it. Would it not be worth while to send for her. And then the remembrance of the shipwreck and her preser- vation came upon her, and the recollection of the < ftrange woman who nursed her in her illness pre. 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-N I I Executed at the Chronicle Office, Penarth.

a i Hii ii i -T- i Slie inquired what fhc woman was ïke. and how she came Thither. F,n lly ?he dee'ded to walk in the direction of the signalman'- cottage, and, if she should meet the young woman, Edward could make himself known. "I am going to pay some paii-h vi its," said Lady Deane, and if we ar. in the neighbourhood of your friends' cottage we will look in and thank him and her." "How kind of YOll,' exclaimed the lad; "but I won't trouble you, Lady Deane. I will go and bl ing- her h ere, if you like." No; there is no necessity for that. If we are near the cottage we will see this wonderful child and h's n-ic)ther-i r the babe is a boy by the by." r It's a girl I think I Ivard them say. But when you go I will be ready. Thank you so much and you will manage it all for me, please, dear Lady Deane; and ten Collier, the signalman I mean, that my father will not forget him, and-" Not so fast. Let me see; I must give him something for you, I suppose ?" "I have money enough, thank you," replied the toy. 11 But you can do something for the young lady and her pretty child. I like them very much." Very well," replied th j Lady Bountiful, we will make our call upon your fiiends at once. If you will amuse yourself for a quarter of an hour I will ac ompany you to the cottage. I want to go through the town." "Will you come and have a look at the shops. Lady Deane ? Do come father would be so pleased if you would come and see his new engine," entreated the spoiled boy. There is to be a party here soon, and the Duke is coming to name the last engine the Caithness." Indeed," replied his friend, I shall soon know all your acquaintances. Is Mr. Sandy Sam at the works P" Yes; he will he there. You will like him, I'm sure." I rather doubt the fact," replied the good-tem- pered Lady Deane, as she left the room. u At any rate, as my way lies ia that direction, we may as weU see the new engine, as you wish it.1 11 think I may get some information for your father," she added. I shall not be long.* » I'm all right," was the boy's reply, as he sat down and took up a book. I can watt. I am much obliged to you, Lady Deane." UtlAP Bis friend was not long dressing for her walk, and soon returned to young Edward, in whom she had taken a great interest for many years now. He was a fine, bold, handsome boy, and he was deservedly a favourite with everyone. Quite unaffected, and yet somewhat reserved with strangers, young Watson was on 4he most familiar terms directly with those he fancied. Thus it came to pass that he was hand and glove with engine-drivers and firemen, guards, and foremen at the works, equally with the vicar's sons and daughters, and with many others. He cherished a warm affection for Lady Deane, and his boyish love for her had revived on horreturn from I ndiaafter an absence of a few years. Her influence over him was very great, and he would obey her readily in anything as quickly as he did his stern parent. So Lady Deane and the boy set forth on their errand, he chatting pleasantly as he walked by her side, and 'she, listening to, but scarcely under- standing, his animated descriptions of engines and the works. In a short time they had reached the path leading across the line, and at the gate of the level crossing, through which only one foot passen- fer could get through at a time, Lady Deane sud- enly enconn ered Lucy Layton, the woman who was playing sueh a desperate game, single handed, against her and her absent husband CHAPTER XVI. A MEETING. LADY Deanf, was the first to speak. We have net before, I think," she said very courteously. "I already owe you much for myse f. I now understand that my young friend here is deeply indebted to ) au." Mrs. Layton has b en rather taken by surprise at this sudden encounter, but she quickly recovered her self-possession. It was quite part of her plan to get upon intimate terms at the Hall. 1-or what other reason had she done what she had done ? Please don't mention it, madam," she said. I am not worth thanking. I only did what anyone else could have done. We are all weak creatures." Yes," replied Lady Deane, who had a horror of c int." \Ve ure all weak, no doubt; but we have been given brains and hands to make the best use of, and you have be,nvei-y useful. Can I be of any assistance to you ?" Thank you, Ladv Deane, not just at present, unless you have a cottage to let, and will accept mo for a tenant." To spoil the Egvpthms in this fashion, and in- sinuate herself wit..in the pale of the Hall, was a step in the right dire tion, as Lucy just then belie ve:d. believed. I will see about it," replied Lady Deane. I can only assure you that anything I can do I will do. I daresay there is a cottage that will suit you, or we can manage to make some arrangement till Sir William returns, and he will at onee-" "Thank you very much, madam, but I do not wish to trouble Sir Wlliam." Her tone had so changed, and the scarce-sup* pressed animosity was so ident, that Lady Deane could not fail to remark it. She drew herself up rather stiffly, and replied, cc I cannot do anything without the consent of Sir William; but I have no doubt he will quite ap- prove of my reasons when he knows the circum- stances." Lucy Layton was silent, and Lady Deane could not help perceiving that the mention of her husband had in some maimer or another changed the aspect of affairs. Suddenly, like a blight upon her heart, it occurred to her that young Edward Watson had said something about the likeness of this woman's child to Sir William. Why the devil ever put such an idea into her head as then entered it his Satanic Majesty only can tell. Of all people in the world Lady Deane was perhaps the purest-minded and most uususpicious. She was in every respect a lady respecting and loving her husband, and respecting herself. Of a proud and long-descended county family, she was quite separated from all the scandal of large towns, and the chatter of village gossips was as far re- moved from her as the insinuations of weekly journals and the proceedings in the divorce cou-t. But just then the busy Evil One shot an arrow of suspicion into her mind, and she aked herself, even as she pulled the shaft from her heart, why did this woman Seek to evade the colonel, and iloefidentJ"

I dislike him, and why was her cET3 so m-u- cli ff Ve William Deane ? Was it possible that she and Sir William had met in India, and, if so, when and under what circuffl' stances ? Th» se were questions which Lady DeanOr would gladly have answered, and yet could not put without some show of reason. Who was this woman, and why d d she dislike Sir William ? Was sht married ? If so, where was her husband? These questions passed rapidly through Lady Deane's mind even as she was endeavouring to evade them or put them aside, and she would pro- bablr have made some effort to ascertain whatehe wished had not young Edward saved her the trouble, "How is your little girl," he asked. "I waf telling Lady Deane about her. She is so pretty." Lucy Layton started, and Lady Deane did not fail to note the confusion which this innocent ques* tion momentarily caused. She glanced quickly at Mr. Layton, and said: Oh yes, I am quite desirous to see your child- Edward here has told me what a pretty little thing it is, and saw quite a likeness to my husband, he said The tell-tale flush this time spread over brow and neck a glow which could never be mis'aken for St mother's pride at having her child praised. The flush appe ired to Lady Deane to be the result of guilt; the uneasy ce nscience had been aroused, and the woman's sin was finning her out. So it was, but not in the manner Lady Dean. fancied. For a moment Lucy Layton was unnerved, and did not know %Alat to say. If s' e was discovered now all her chances of revenge would be lost. She was ^quick*enough to p-rceive that there was some suspicion lurking in Lady Deane's mind concerning the child. She made up her mind to tell the truth, but by nO means the whole truth. Such ingenuousness would not serve her purpose. r You are quite welcome to see the child, madatllr Of its Jikeness to Sir William I have no means of judging. Perhaps it may be an accident." Lady Deane was upon thorns all this time, and her tormentor qui e intended to keep her there.. Revenge was sweet imt then. "I do not undtrst,-nd you," replied Lady Deane,. very stiffly. We will not discuss this matter here- I hope you will call u, on me, and, perhaps, permit me to judge of the correctness of this lad's meaning* Meantime-" I beg your pardon, madam. I really do not see how this matter affects you. The child may or may not be like your husband. There are strange like- nesses in the world." » But when your child, born in the s me district- but no, I cannot condescend t) follow out such an idea. It is totally unfounded. My young friend her& is doubtless mistaken—there has been an error. Pardon me," continued the high-minded woman. We will not mention this subject again. Bring your child to me if yotiplease, but-" My child! Ble-s ye, madam, the girl is none of mine. I may have my suspicions." "Bush, woman! Peace now and henceforth. Come to me later. No Leave me. I cannot understand it," she exclaimed incoherently. Why did you ever come here to trouble me ?" I never came to trouble you. I never went near you. This is my neighbourhood, and if I was takefl m and deceived by a soldier I have paid the penalty* n's not my fault, is it f" "No, no; go away. Come, Edward, I wish yotf had never brought me out on such an errand. Let us go home. Which is the shortest way?" Through the workshops is the nearest. I atn so very sorry, Lady Deane, if I have caused you any trouble. There is seme mistake," he added, scarcely understanding what had passed, and quite unable to perceive what had affected Lady Deane øø suddenly. CAP! They pursued their way close beside the line, -and were nearing the shops," when a great uproar and cheering was borne to their ears. The noise calDe from the locomotive sheds, and when Edward Watson heard it he turned suddenly pale and theft; What i. the matter, Ed ward P" inquired hil friend. Anything wrong do you think ? f. I am afraid there is," replied the boy. you remember I told you about Sandy Sam and tbO big engine P "Yes," replied Lady Deane. "I think yourfathe* ought to be informed, for such a malevolent dispos1' tion should be checked and punished." "I told the district engineer, Mr. Forbes, yOlt know, and no doubt he told the governor; and shouldn't be surprised, Lady Deane, if he wsn just letting the foreman have it for his behaviour- Listen p As he had finished speaking a great uproar w heard as of ar gry remonstrance. Then a storni <> yells, succeeded by ringing cheers, broke out, ore Lady Deane and her young companion were aware of what had happened, a crowd of men surging out Qf the workshops and sheds gestionis* ting, and all apparently in a state of the gre tcS5 excitement about- something. I think we had heitu' not go near the works, said Laely Deane; "there is "evidently somethiflS wrong there. We must turn back, Edward." < They appear very angry," replied the boy. wonder what it is all about. I suppose the engin°e^ has been pitching into them, and they have co^ out for dinner." "It must be past dinner-time now. Come thl. way, Edward I don't wish to encounter those men; and if your father has been scolding them you are better away." So the pair turned away, and crossed the fields to the old lodge-gate leading to the Hall, where tn men had in some mysterious manner arrived bef°r them. Meanwhile, Lucy Layton, far from satisfied '*71, herself, but wishing to vent her anger upon l'a ■ Deane, pursued her way to Collier's cottage, she had for the present established herself. Geor|. had vainly endeavoured to resist, and at ^eD?u0 gave way so far as to give her house room for month, consoling himself with the reflection that breath of scandalous gossip would arise, particular £ as his duties necessitated Ids being in the signal* during the hours of darkness.. When she arrived she found him wearing a set. counte- ance. x What i3 the matter, Georg? ?" she aS'ce Aren't you well, or are yon hungry ?" Neither," replied the man. Worse than ^^38 There's nothing happened to the chi.d, there ? she cried anxiously. « Jfc'iS "Not as I knows on," replied George- woree than that." 00t.- "Any Indian war news? Can't ye