MARY LOUISE IN THE COUNTRY

CONTENTS

I THE ARRIVAL
II THE KENTON PLACE
III THE FOLKS ACROSS THE RIVER
IV GETTING ACQUAINTED
V MARY LOUISE BECOMS A PEACEMAKER
VI THE AFTERNOON TEA
VII MARY LOUISE CALLS FOR HELP
VIII THE RED-HEADED GIRL
IX JOSIE INVESTIGATES
X INGUA IS CONFIDENTIAL
XI THE FATE OF NED JOSELYN
XII THEORIES ARE DANGEROUS
XIII BLUFF AND REBUFF
XIV MIDNIGHT VIGILS
XV "OLD SHADOWTAIL"
XVI INGUA'S NEW DRESS
XVII A CLEW AT LAST
XVIII DOUBTS AND SUSPICIONS
XIX GOOD MONEY FOR BAD
XX AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE
XXI A CASE OF NERVES
XXII INGUA'S MOTHER
XXIII PECULIAR PEOPLE
XXIV FACING DANGER
XXV FATHER AND DAUGHTER
XXVI THE PLOT
XXVII NAN'S TRIUMPH
XXVIII PLANNING THE FUTURE



Mary Louise in the Country



CHAPTER I
THE ARRIVAL

"Is this the station, Gran'pa Jim?" inquired a young girl, as the train
began to slow up.

"I think so, Mary Louise," replied the handsome old gentleman
addressed.

"It does look very promising, does it?" she continued, glancing eagerly
out of the window.

"The station? No, my dear; but the station isn't Cragg's Crossing, you
know; it is merely the nearest railway point to our new home."

The conductor opened their drawing-room door.

"The next stop is Chargrove, Colonel," he said.

"Thank you."

The porter came for their hand baggage and a moment later the long
train stopped and the vestibule steps were let down.

If you will refer to the time-table of the D. R. & G. Railway you will
find that the station of Chargrove is marked with a character dagger
([Picture: Character dagger]), meaning that trains stop there only to
let off passengers or, when properly signaled, to let them on. Mary
Louise, during the journey, had noted this fact with misgivings that
were by no means relieved when she stepped from the sumptuous train and
found before her merely a shed-like structure, open on all sides, that
served as station-house.