The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1863-05-28
LoYElNAN ExRREss TRAIN.

L0VElNAN EXPRESS TRAIN.
Tie winter night was closing, dark
drear; around the tumuIl and hustle of
the railroad station, in the heart of the
great city Mothers were there, bidding
adieu. to their little children-husbands
parting from their wives old, expcrien,
ced travellers, to Shom il seemed mere
trille TO skim half across The continent
on the wings Of steam, and nervous, un.
certain voyagcrs, to vhGqI tho briefest
journey appeared frauglit with indies,
cribable peril. These were the tableauxs
exhibited within the gas-lighted waiting
rQpm,. while without the,snow fell white
and carelessly, and the fiery eye OF the
locomotive threw line oflight through
the darkness for yards ufound.
Hugh Southbank was walking slowly
up AID down the pl;sGorm, with his arm
resting carelcss!y on the shoulder of Al
fred NeyilIe, his dearest and Oldest
friend. Both we're wrapped to Che very
lhroot in (urs and 6roadcloih, and even
lad ii not been 50. they were ,ou much
absorbed in their ogUlhoughl and con.
versatio9 10 heed The driving snow or
cutting wind.
SO, you tge really setting forth on
your travels. Hug, = exclaimed Neville.
And when shall you return llomeP
4 can scarcely tertniriy not In
many years, and perhaps never. Imav
bccome Russian, or possibly pitch my
ten, among the pslm fees Of Palestine.
Hugh, said his friend turning as to
look into the dark eyes that were parti.
ally hidlen-by the fur rimed cap Of the
traveller, Il remember when you were
the quietest and most home loving OF
prosaic individuals. What has changed
you SO entirely during the lat ten yearsp
Time works changes in US all, return.
ed Southbank cvssiyely.
Hugh said Neville reprouchiulIy,
surely We have not been fast friends
for twenty years for You TO deny me
your confidence al las, p
4 have no secrets from yon, Neville,
replied Hugh. somewhat sofiened by tho
earnesInesg of his f,ieuI's appeal.
Nor am unwilling to confess to ou
that the whole current OF my life has
been changed, since that unIncky quar-
rel with Edith Soyre, six years ago. |
was passionate and oyerbearing g-she
was petulaul and wilfal and SO we par
ted
'Aud wha, has become of her?'
'shc married Charles Calthrope, years
ago, and have lost sight of her. |
have sometimes wondered whether the
man TO whom she has given her hOnd
has loved her as truly as should have
done!'
why don't you follow her example,
my boy, and take unto yourself wifeH
Southbank shrugged his shoulders.
j am constituted like o tree l have
somewhere read of, that blossoms but
once in a lifetime. ] could no more
love second time than be bern twice
a'ny i observed EeVilie, when there
are so many maneuyering mammas and
sentimental daughters, who would ap.
preciate your six feet of manhood aud
your snug little fortune, Hallol here
comes your train In with you cid fel,
low--drop me liua now and then, Just
70 let me know that you havn't turned
MussuIman at Constanrinople or taken
to tigor'bunting in the junsles Of Ben.
There vas cordial grasp oftwo car.
nest honds-a farewell spoken almost
beneath tho breath-and then Alfred
Neville stood alone on the platform, a
mist that was not the dow Of melting
snowaakeS before his eyes, and the ex.
press train was speeding away through
the gloom aud darkness Of tho winter
night. ~ "sa'
is this seat engaged siri'
Hugh Soulhbank answered in the mega.
tive, almost pOtulunlly, for the conduc.
tors voice reused him from q deep rove.
re, Into which he had iallUn, Tho twi.
light Of the half.illuminod car, and the
heated atmosphere within, and tho swift
tremulons motion Of tho train, were alike
favorable to droam.ianCies, aud it was
not particularly pleasant TO bO reused up
10 mako room for a lady and two little
children.
People haven't any busincs to DO trav.
cling with childrcnI' grumblod tho fat
man with RnnrLnnlns nnnnsiln- nnrntu