The Argosy — page 262: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Missing Rubies. 245 hurried on, knowing nothing about the trains, and hoping that she should not have to wait long at the railway station. If she were detained, there was a fear that she might be pursued; perhaps by Colonel Lindrick, acting on behalf of his friend. The loneliness of the sunlit road was unbroken. Only the boughs were moving, and the delicate leaf-sprays trembling in the hedges. She wished that she knew of some short cut, leading to the station ; but, unacquainted as she was with the by-ways of Fairbridge, there was nothing to be done but to keep to the straight road, and march with all speed. Yet in this wild flight of hers, Fate seemed strangely to befriend her. She had not gone more than three-quarters of a mile, when the sound of wheels, coming behind, set her heart beating with strong throbs. Had they already discovered her absence, and started in pursuit P If they had, she must be prepared for a scene ; and again she wished passionately that she could have taken one of the narrow paths that ran across the meadows. ‘The wheels came nearer, blend- tng with the brisk trot of hoofs. She paused, and looked over her shoulder. | It was only a market-cart after all. The driver, a stout country girl, was sitting in front of a load of vegetables, crowned with a few nosegays of homely garden flowers. ‘The sight of her rosy face was welcome enough to Beatrice, and inspired her with a sudden hope. “ Are you going to the railway station ?” she asked, her clear voice ringing out distinctly in the morning stillness. ‘‘I will pay you anything you please if you will give me a lift.” The young woman stopped, and glanced at her doubtfully fora moment. “It’s a hard seat, and the cart jolts a good bit,” she replied. “But I don’t mind jolting. I want to catch an early train.” ‘‘Jump up, then,” returned the girl, good-naturedly. “If you don’t like it I can easy set you down again.” And Beatrice quickly climbed into the place by her side. She would gladly have been spared the task of carrying on a conversation. But it was expecting too much to hope for silence. The girl talked freely about her personal concerns ; explained that the load of garden stuff was to be sent to a greengrocer by the next up-train ; and asked where her companion was going to? ‘“‘I am going to London,” Beatrice answered. “Then you'll just have time to take your ticket. Train’s due at fairbridge at twenty minutes past nine,” said the damsel, shaking the reins as a hint to the stout cob to go faster. ‘‘ Has your luggage gone on afore you?” “Tt is to follow,” replied Beatrice, ‘‘ Are you sure we shall not miss the train ? ” ‘Certain sure. Look right across that field, and you'll glimpse cConniclooolkks () (SO)