The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-29

it were quite an everyday occurrence
for us to be travelling up together il
the night mail to Euston-square sta
tion. Iblamed myself for an idiot that
had not sooner made an opportunity
for visiting my unknown friends al
Eaton.
"Then," l said, putting down the let
ter-bill from their own office before her
''may / ask which of the signatures
know so well is yours? Is it A. Clifton
or NJ. Clifton, or S. Clifton 7" She hest.
tated little, and blushed, and
lifted up her frank, child-like eyes tc
mine.
II am A. Clifton" she answered.
"And your name p said.
"Anne" Then, as if anxious to give
some explanation to me of her present
situation, she added, II was going up
to London on visit, and thought il
would be so nice to travel in the post
office to see how the work was done,
and Mr.. Huntingdon came to survey
our office, and he said he would send
me an order"
| felt somewhat surprised, for a
stricter martinez than Mr.. Huntingdon
did not breathe; but glanced down at
the small, innocent face at my side, and
cordially approved of his departure
from ordinary rules.
"Did You know you would travel
with me 7" l asked, in a lower voice;
for Tom Morville, my Junior, was at my
other elbow.
~ knew that ! should travel with
Mr.. Wilcox" she answered, with smile
that made all my nerves tingle.
"You have not written me word for
ages" said l, reprOachfully.
"You had better not talk, or you'll be
making Mistakes" she replied, in an
arch tone. 1t was quite true for, a
sudden confusion coming over me, was
sorting the letters at random.
We were just then approaching the
small station where the letter-bag from
the great house was taken up. The en-
CINE was Stacking speed. Miss Clifton
manifested some natural and becoming
diflidence.
1T would look so odd," she said "to
any one on the platform, to see girl in
the post office van And they couldn't
know / was Il postmastcrs daughter,
and had an order from Mr.. Huntingdon.
Is there no dark corner to shelter me I"
must explain to you in word or
two the construction of the van, which
was much less efficiently fitted up than
the travelling post-oiiiccs of the present
day. 1t was reversible van, with a
door at each right-hand corner. At each
door the letter-boXcs were so arranged
as to form kind of screen about two feet
in width, which prevented people from
seeing all over the carriage at once.
Thus the door at the far end of the van,
the one not in use at the time, was
thrown into deep shadow, and the screen
before it turned it into small niche,
where a slight little person like Miss
Clifton was very well concealed from
curious eyes. Before the train came
within the light from the lamps on the
platform, she cnseonced herself i'll this
shelter. No one but | could see her
laughing face, as she stood there lean
ing cautiously forward, with her finger
pressed upon her rosy lips, peeping at
the messenger who delivered into my
own hands the PremicT's despatch box,
while Tom Morville received the letter
"See," said, when were again in mo-
S ment a ths hf Is tRe nG ser despatch
box, going back to the Secretary OF
State. There are some state secrets
for You, and ladies are fond of secrets"
so, know nothing about politics."
she answered, indiiferently, "and we
have had that box through our office n
time or two"
'tDid YOU ever notice this mark upon
it," askcd,-"a heart with a dagger
through it?" and, bending down my
face to hers, / added certain spooney
remark, which do not care to repeat.
Miss Clifton tossed her little head, and
pouted her lips but she took the box
out of my hands, and carried 1t to the
lamp near the further end of the van,af-
ter which she put it down upon the
counter close beside the screen, and l
thought no more about it. The mid
night ride was entertaining in the cx-
trcmc, for the girl was full of young
life and sauciness and merry humor. l
can safely say that have never been to
an evenings so-called entertainment,
which; to me, was half so enjoyable. IL
added also to the zest and keen edge of
the ENJOYMENT to see her hasten to hide
herself whenever | told her we were go
ing to stop to take up the mails.
We had passed Watforl, the last sta
ton at which we stopped, before be
came alive to the recollection that
our work was terribly bchindhand.
Miss Clifton also became grave, and sat
at the end of the counter very quiet and
subducd. as if her frolic were over, and
il was possible she might find something
TO repent of in it. l had told her we
should stop no more until we reached
Euston-squarc station; but to my sur
prise | felt ourspeed decreasing, and our
train coming to a stand-still. looked
ont and called to the guard in the van
behind, who told me he supposed there
was something on the line before us,
and that we should go on in a minute
or two. | turned my head, and gave
this information to my fellow-clerk and
Miss Clifton.
"Do you know where we are 2 +" she
asked, in frightened tone.
At Camden-town, 1replied. She
sprang hastily from her seat, and came
towards me.
"I am close to my friends house
here she said, $50 is lucky thing
for me. 1t is not five minutes walk
from the station. will say good by to
you now, Mr.. Wilcox, and | thank you
thousand times for your kindness.
She seemed flurried, and she held ont
both her little hands to me in an appeal
ina Kind of way, if she were afraid
of my detaining her against her will.
I took them both into mine, pressing
them with rather more ardor than was
quite necessary.
~ do not like You to go,alone at this
hour" said. "but there is no help for
it. 1t has been delightful time TO me.
Will you allow me to call upon you to-
morrow morning early, for leave Lon
don at 1920: or on Wednesday, when l
shall be in town again +
90" she answered, hanging her head,
II don't know. I'll write and tell MANI
ma how kind you have been, and, and
but must go, Mr.. Wilcox"
Il don't ike your going alone" re-
peated.
80, know the way perfectly" she
said, in the same flurried manner, per
fectly, thank you. And it is close at
hand. Good by !"
She jumped lightly out of the car
:. aN