Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-04-02
LOVE IN AN EXPRESS TRAIN.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

BY AMY RANDOLPH.
The winter night was closng, dark and dreAr,
around the tumult and hustle of the railroad
station In the heart of the great city. Mothers
were there, bidding adieu to their little children
l-husbands parting from their wives-old, ex-
perienced travellers, to whom 1t seemed mere
trife to skinNhalf across the continent on the
wings OF steam, and nervous, uncertain voysgers
to whom the briefest journey appeared ffsught
with indescribable peril. These we're the ia
bleaux exhibited in the gaalighted waiting
room, while without the snow fell, white and
ceaseleBsly, and the fiery eye 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 care
lessly on the shoulder of Alfred Neville, his
dearest and Oldest friend. Both we're wrapped
to the very throat In furs and broadcloth, and,
even had 1t not been so, they we're far too much
absorbed in their own thoughts and conver-l
sation to heed the driving snow or cutting
wind.
$50 you are really setting forth on your
travels, Hugh" exclaimed Neville. "Aud when
shall you return home2l
81 can scarcely tell-oertainly not in mapy
years, and perhaps never. | may become a
Russian, or possibly pitch my tent among the
palm trees Of Palestine"
Hugh" said his friend turning go as to
look into the dark eyes that were partially hid.
den by the fur-trimmed cap of the traveller, al
remember when you were the quietest and most
home-loving of prosaio individuals What has
changed you, 30 entirely, during the last ten
years2"
"Time works changes in us ALL" returned
Southbank, evasively.
Hugh" said Neville repr achfully, "surely
We have not been fast friends for twenty years
for you to deny me your confidence at ast3"
81 have no secrets from you Neville" re-
piled Hugh, somewhat softened by the earnest
ness of his friends appeal.
| "Nor am l unwilling to confess to YOU that
the whole current of my life has been Changed.
since that unlucky lovers quarrel with Edith
Sayre, ak years ago. We both acted yery like
a couple Of foolish children. was passionate
and overbesring- wac petulant and Wilful
and 30 We parted"
And what has become of her?''
"She married Charles Calthorpe years ago.
and have long lost sigh. of her. / have some
times wondered whether the man to whom she
has given her hand, has loved her as truly and
tenderly as should have done!"
"Why don't you follow her example. nv Inv
L
SOuthbank shrugged his shoulders,
| al am constituted somewhat like the trse
have somewhere read Of that blossoms but once
in lifetime. could no more love A second
time than could be born twice!"
"Pity" observed Neville, "when there ara
90 many maneuveriDg mammas and sentimental
daughters who would appreciate your six feet of
manhood and your snug little fortunel HalloI
here comes your train! In with you, old fellow
drop me line now and then, lust to let ms
know that you haven't turned .Mussulman at
Constantinople, or taken to tiger hunting in the
Ijungles Of Bengal"
There was cordial grssp of two earnest
hands-a farewell spoken almost beneath the
breath-and then Alfred Neville stood alone on
the Platform, mist that was not the dew of
melting snow flakes before his eyes, and the
express train was speeding away through the
gloom and darkness OF the winter night.
sis this seat engaged, sir?"
| Hugh Southbank answered in the negative.
almost petulently, for the conductor's voice
reused him from deep reverie into which he
had fallen. The twilight of the half-illumin
ed car, the heated atmosphere within, and the
swift, tremulous motion of the train, were
alike favorable to dream-fances, and il was
not particularly pleasant to be reused M to
make room for lady and two little children,
"People haven't any business to be travelling
with children" grumbled the fat man with
spectacles opposite, across whose outstretcbed
feet the little four-year-old had stumbled
"Babies are perfect nuisance inc car!v re.
marked the acidulated old maid whose nerves
were disturbed by the cooling of the baby. bun
die whose blue eyes were just on a level with
Its mammals shoulder.
And Hugh Southbank--Whether out of the
sheer spirit of contradiction, or from Christian
charity, will never, we lear, 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, sirm
The words we're spoken 80 low that South
bank scarcely caught their sound, but the rosy
little boy on his knee quite made no for his
mothers taciturnity by clamorously demanding
to see the strangers watch, and rubbing his
velvet cheek delightfully."- against the oottly
furs which edged Hugh's travelling coat.
"Papa had fur coat like this--papa ia
dead" Chartered the little fellow, lifting his
brown eyes to Hugh Southbank's, with limo,
cent confidence.
Southbank did not answer-he looked down
into the liquid child-eyes with strange feel.
ing, akin TO the revival OF forgotten dreams.
Where had he seen those eyes beiorei
"And mamma is going to B to try and
earn some money for me and the baby! Nam
ma has only nine dollars Left" went on the
email chalterer, "and--"
Hugh, dear, don't talk any more" inter-
posed the soft, t:emulous voice at Southbank's q
side, with an accent that thrilled him to the
very heart, while small gloved hand was laid
on the chiids shoulder. Southbank leaned for
ward to get glimpse if possible at the face
that belonged to the sweet, low voice, but il
was useless-the car was too dark. Was there
no way OF reading this strange Iiddle2
i "And what is your name, my little fellow"
he asked, a sudden inspiration coming to his
aid. a,
| "Mamma says I'm not to talky" pouted the
child, his scarlet lip thrust out with offended
dignity, and looking around as if he expected
the decree TO be repealed.
"Tickets. IL you pleasem shouted the con-
ductor, bussling down the aisle.
"Hold your lantern here minute, my man; !;
where did put shat ticket7" said Hugh, osten-
tasiously searching through the compartments
OF his pocketrbook. 80, here II is--all rIQht!''
NAIl riRhk ~ indaad fnp In kha full cIa.a a,