"
"Read that," he said, his voice trembling. "Do you suppose--" but he
could not utter the words that were in his mind.
Cicely seized the telegram and eagerly read it. She was on the point of
screaming, but checked herself.
"How terrible!" she exclaimed. "But what can it mean? It is from Miss
Panney. Oh! I think it is wicked to send a message like that, which does
not tell you what has happened."
"It must be Miriam," cried Ralph. "I must go instantly," and at the top
of his voice he shouted for Mike. The man soon appeared, running.
"Mike!" exclaimed Ralph, "there has been an accident, something has
happened to Miss Miriam. I must go instantly to Barport. I must take the
next train from Thorbury. Put the horse to the gig as quickly as you can.
You must go with me."
With a face expressing the deepest concern, Mike stood looking at the
young man.
"Don't stop for a minute," cried Ralph, in great excitement. "Drop
everything. Take the horse, no matter what he has been doing; he can go
faster than the mare. I shall be ready in five minutes!"
"Mr.
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