Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-12
gbe Obio 6tatesnrat'
LOVE IN AN EXPRESS TRAIN.
BY ANY RAND: LPH.

experienced travellers, to whom IL seemed q
mere sriae to skim half across the continent,
on the wings Of steam, and nervous, uncertain
voyl gers, to whom the bsiefest journey aP-
peayed fraught With indescribabls peril. These
we're the tabeaux exhibited within the gas-
lighted waiting room, while without the snow
fell white and eeaselessly, and the-feIy eye of
the locomotive threw q line Of light through
the darkness for yards around. .,si - ~
Hugh Southbsnk vas walking slowly up and
down the platform, with his arm lestng care
lessly on the shoulder of Alfred Neville, bis
dearest and Oldest friend. Both were wrapped
to the very throat In furs and broadcloth, and
even had Il not been 80, they were far too
much absorbed In their own thoughts and con-
versatton to heed the driving enow or the cut
ting wind. ...,
$50 you ore really setting forth on your
travels, Hugh" exclaimed Neville, "and when
shall you return home"
ri can scarcely tell--certainly not In many
years, and perhaps never. l may become
Russian, or poseioy pI tch my tent among the
palm trees Of Palestine"
"Hugh," said bis friend, turning go as to
look into the dark eyes that we're partially hid:
den BY the fur.trimmed cap of the traveller, "I
remember when you we're the qu'etest and most
home loving OF prosaic individuals. What has
changed you 80 entirely, during the lass ten
years"
'Time works changes in us ALL" replied
Suuthbank, evaeively.
"Hugb!' said Neville, reproschiully, "surely
We have not been fast irieuds for these twenty
years, for you 10 deny me in your confidence a'
laet2"
III have no secrets from you, Neville" re.
| piled Hugh, someWeat eoftened by the earnest
ness OF bis friends appeal.
"Nor am unwilling to confess to you that
| the whole current of my life has been changed
since that upluchy lovers quarrel Win E1ith
Sayre, elk years ago. We both acted very
| like couple OF foolish children. was pas
sionate and oveibesring g-she was petulant f1d
aud wiful-and 20 we parted"
"Aud what has become of her2"
| "She married Charles Calihorpe, years ago,
and l have long Lost sight of her. have some
times wondered whether the man TO whom she
had given her hand, has loved her aa tenderly
90 should have done"
"Wby don't you follow her exemple, ry boy,
aud take unto yourself q wlfe1"
clam constituted somewhat like the tree
| have somewhere read Of, that blossoms only
once In q lifetime. Icsuldno more love sec
| ood time, than could be born twice"
"Pity," observed Neville, "When there are
| 30 many mar % Tering mammss and sentimeo' al
daughters who would appreciate your six feet
| OF manhood and your snug little fortune. Halo
here comes your train! In with you old fellow
| drop me line now ami then, just to let me
| know you havn't turned Musselmsu at Constan.
tinope or taken to tiger hunting In the iungles
OF Bengsl!' %
There wss cordial grasp of two earnest
hands--a farewell, spoke almost beneath the
breath--and then Alfred Neville stood alone on
| the platform, mist thOt was not the dew OF
melting snow f,kes before bis eyes, and the
express train was speeding away through the
gloom aud do kness of the winter night.
| "Is this seat engaged, srl" 71rr'
| Hugh Southbank answered In the negative,
a'm1st prudently for the conductors voice
aroused him from deep reverie into which
he had fallen The twilight Of the half-illu-
minated car, the heated atmosphere within,
| and awift, tremuous motion Of the train, we're
alike favorable 10 dream fanoles. and Ii was not
| particularly pleasant to be reused up, to make
room for lady aad two little children.
| "Piople haven't any business to be travelling
| with children" grumbled the fat man with
speclacies, opposite across whofe ousstretched
| feet the little four year old bad stumbled.
"Babies are perfect nuisance 10 q carl" re-
marked the aeldulaied old maid whose nerves
were disturbed BY the cooling Of the baby bundle
whose blue eyes we're just on level with its
mammals shoulder.
And Hugh Soathb bank-whether out Of the
cheer spirit of contradiction, or from Christian
charity, will never, we fear, be knoWn-leaned
forward, and took the four-year old upon his
knee, while he assisted the lady to dispose Of
her manifold travelling bags and bundles.
"Thank you, SIR"
The woris were spoken go low that South.
bank scarcely caught their sound, but the noisy
htk.lo ID a. An "a. l.
mothers taci,urnity, by camorously demand
Iog to see the strangers watch, aud rubbing his
elvet check delightedly against the costly furs
shioh edged Hugb's travelling coat.
"Papa had fur coat just like thIs-papa is
eadm ohattered the little fellow, lifting his
toWn eyes to Hugh Southbank . with innocent
opfdenoe.
Southbank did not answer-he looked down
ito the liquid ohild-eyes, with strange feel
z, akin TO the revival Of forgotten dreams.
| Vhere had he seen those eyes beforef
"And mamma is going to B. to try and
arm some money Tor me aud the baby! Msmma
80 only nine dollars left" went on the small
asrso,er, and
"Hugh, dear, don't talk any niore," inter.
,sed the soft, tfemulcus voice al Sou.hbank' q
dc with an accent that thrilled him to the
cart, while email gloved hand was laid on
10 ohlld's shoulder. Southbank leaned for
,ard to get glimpse, If possible, Of the face
hat belonged TO the sweet low voice, but II wac
.seless--the car was too dark. Was there nc
Tsy of reading this strange riddls7
"And what is your name, my little fellow y
he asked, o sudden inspiration coming to hi
| aid.
Mamma says, am not to talk - pouted th.
child, his scarlet lips thrust out with offended
dignity, and looking round, as II he expected
/ the dec co to be repealed.
Tickets, II You pleasew shouted the CON
| duo or, busting down the isle. Tr
"Flold your lantern here minute, my man
where did put that ticket7 +" said Hugh
ostenta.iously searching through the oompsrt
ments Of bis pocket.book. "oh, here 1t is
all right" 49,. ..-y.
the lantern he had discovered the key TO tha
troublesome enigma. Their eyes had met fe
one second-and Hugh Southoank knew tha
Edith Sayrs was citing beside him.
"Mr. Southbank!" she faltered.
- oEiith!"
i Through thslonely winter solisudss -throug
gleus of ioicle-hung trees, aud snowy rAyinel
and miles on milee Of drsary hills and vale