This page has been validated.
A BRIDE FROM THE BUSH
197

Miss Barrington write to Gladys at Twickenham, when Gladys was staying with Miss Barrington in Suffolk?

He tore open the envelope, and his hand shook as he did so. When he had read to the end of the letter, which was very short, his face was gray and ghastly; his eyes were wild and staring; he sank helplessly into a chair. The note ran thus:—

'Dearest Glad,—We are so disappointed, you can't think. As for me, I've been in the sulks ever since your telegram came this afternoon. What ever can have prevented your coming, at the very last minute—for you wire from Liverpool Street? Do write at once, for I'm horribly anxious, to your loving

'Ada.

'PS.—And do come at once, if it's nothing serious.

'Saturday.'

Alfred read the letter a second time, and an extraordinary composure came over him.

He folded the letter, restored it to its