fice and dispatched a message to
Miss Cavendish, saying that he should be down to Wendover by the next
train to pay her a flying visit.

Then he hurried to his office, put his papers in order, left some
directions with his clerk, and hastened off to the railway station,
where he caught the train just as it started, and jumped aboard the cars
while they were in motion.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

A SUDDEN WEDDING.

It was midnight when the Richmond train reached Wendover, and Alden
Lytton went to the Reindeer for the night.

Early in the morning he arose and breakfasted, and ordered a horse to
take him to Blue Cliff Hall.

Just as he was getting into the saddle Jerome, the colored footman from
the Hall, rode up holding two papers in his left hand, and staring at
them with perplexity.

"Halloo, Jerome, how do you do?" called out Mr. Lytton, cheerfully.

The boy looked up, and his surprise and perplexity instantly mounted to
consternation and amazement.

"Well, dis yer's witchcraf', and nuffin else!" he exclaimed.

"What is witchcraft, you goose?" laughed Alden.

"Look yer, massa," said Jerome, riding up to his side and putting the
two papers in his hand, "you jes look at dem dere!"

Alden took the papers and looked as required.

Both papers were telegrams. One was his own telegram to Emma Cavendish,
saying:

"I shall be down to see you by the next train."

The other was a telegram from Emma Cavendish to himself, saying:

"Come down at once."

"Well, what of all this? Here is a message and its answer. What is there
in this like witchcraft?"

"Why, massa, 'cause de answer came afore de message went, and you
yerself come quick as enny. Dere's de witchcraf'."

"What do you mean?"

"I knowed as de telegraf was fast, and likewise de steam cars, but I
didn't know as dey was bof so fast as to answer a message afore it was
axed, and fetch a gemman afore he was sent for. But here's de answer,
and here's you."

"This is all Hebrew to me."

"Which it is likewise a conundrum to me," retorted Jerome.

"Tell me what you have been doing, and perhaps I shall understand you,"
laughed Alden Lytton.

"Well, massa, this mornin' by daybreak Miss Emmer sent for me, and gave
me this," he said, pointing to the young lady's telegram. "And, says
she:

"'Jerome, saddle the fastest horse in de stable and ride as fast as you
can to Wendover and send this message off to Mr. Lytton. Lose no time,
for we want him to come d