Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-08-27
CHE 5torp Teller.,
LOVE I'M AN EXPRESS TRAIN,

drear, around the tumult and hustle of the
railroad station. in the heart oil the great
city. Mothers were there, bidding adieu
to their little children-husbands parting
from their wives-old. experienced travel
ers, to whom it seemed q me,s trifle to
skim half across the continent on the
wings OF steam, and nervous, uncertain
voyagers, to whom the briefest Journey
appeared fraught with indiscribablc peril.
These were the tablsaux exhited within
the gas lighted waiting room. while with
out the snow fell white and ceaselessly,
and the fiery eve of the locomotive threw a
line of light through the darkness for yards
around.
Hugh Southbank was walking slowly
up and down the platform, with his arm
resting :arelessly on the shoulder Of Alfred
Neville. his dearest and oldest friend
Both were wrapped to the very throat in
furs and broadcIoth. and. even il it had
not been so. they were too much absorbed
in their own thoughts and conversation to
heed the driving snow or cutting wind.
$50 yon are really setting forth on your
travels. Hugh" exclaimed Neville. "And
when shall you return home!
IL can scarcely tell--certainly not in
many years and perhaps never may
become Russian. or possibly pitch my
tent among the palm trees OF Palestine. -
Hugh" said his friend, turning so as
TO look into the dark eyes that were par.
TALLY hidden by the fur-trimmed cap of
the traveller, 81 remember when You were
the Guietest and most home-loving of pro-
sale individuals What has changed you
so entirely during the last ten years"
Time works changes in us ALL" re-
turned Southbank. evasionly.
"Hugh!" said Neville, reproachfully,
"surely We have not been fast friends for
twenty years for you to deny me your con-
f;dencs at lastl'
Il have no secrets from you, Neville. -
replied Hugh. somewhat softened by the
earnestness Of bis friends appeal. Nor
an unwilling to confess to you that the
whole current of my life has bean changed
since that unlucky lovers quarrel with
Edith Sayre. six years ago. We both
acted very like couple of foolish child
rem. | was passionate and overbearing-
she was pctulent and willful-and so We
parted"
10 sAnd what has become Of her?''
-, .sShe married Charles Calthorpe years
ago, and ] have long lost sight Of her.
have sometimes wondered whether the mar
to whom she Ess given her hand has loved
her as truly as Issonld have donel"
"Why don't you follow her example
my boy. and take to yourself wife,"
Sonthbank shrugged his shoulders.
Il am constituted somewhat like tre'
Ihave somewhere read of, thu. blossom
but once In lifetime. / could no NOR
love second time than could be borI
twice."
PITY" observed Neville. "when Their
are so many maneuvering mammas an,
sentimental daughters, who would appre
ciate your six feet of manhood and you
snug little fortune. Halo! here come
your trainl In with you. old fellow
drop me line nvw aud then just to let m
know that you haven't turned Mussulm al
at Constsntinople or taken to tiger-hunt
ing in the jungles of Bengall" /.
There was a cordial grasp of two earnes
hands-a farewell spoken almost beneath
the breath land then Alfred Neville STOOD
alone on the platform, mist that was no
the due of melting nowhakes before hi
eyes, and the express train was speeding
away through the gloom and darkness o
the winter night.
1''Is this seat engaged, sirH
Hugh Southbank answered in the neg
alive, almost petulantly, for the conduc-
~~reo1 L., fr~r, 1oop ravo-
is, into which he had fallen. The twi
light of the half-illuminstsd car, the heat
ed atmosphere within, and the swift. trem
ulous motion of the train, were alike favor
able TO dream-fancies, and it was not par
ticularly pleasant to be reused up to max
room for lady and two little children.
people haven't any business to b
travelling with children!'' grumbled the ia
man with spectacles opposite. across who's
outstretched feet the little four-year oil,
had stumbled.
Babies are perfect nuisance in . carl
remarked the aciduated old mail, who's
nerveswere disturbed byi the cooling of th
baby bundle. whose blue eyes were just o.
q level with its mammals shoulder.
And Hugh Southbank-whether out Q
sheer spirit of contradiction, or frou
Christian charity. will never. we fear. b
known-lesned forward and took the four
year old upon his knee. while be assisted
the lady TO dispose of her manifold travel
ing bags and bundles. -1
Thank you, SIR
The words were spoken so low thai
Southbank scarcely caught their sound
but the rosy little boy On his knee quit
made up for his mothers taciturnity b
clamoroasly demanfiingto see the stran
gers watch. and rubbing his velvet chez
delightedly against the costly furs whic
edged Hugh's travelling coat.
l. "Papa had fur coat like this--papa
aieadl" chartered the little fellow, liftin
his brown eyes to Hugh Southbank's wit
innocent confidence.
Sonihbank did not answer--he locke
down into the liquid child-eyes with
strange feeling akin to the revival Of for
gotten dreams. Where hal he seen thos
eyes before?
And Mamma is going to B. to tr
and earn some money for me and the b
vi Mamma hss only nine dollars left,
went on the small chaiterer, "snd-"
rHugbs dear, don't talk any mors."-
interposed the soft, tremulous voice q
Southbsnk's side, With an accent tina