Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-19
The Midnight Trip on the LADY
tf5 Franklin" aso. al
"Going up tonight, Frank p

of a crowded railway depot! / had
fancied myself unrecognized, as
leaned against the arched brick door
way, nearly shrouded in shadow
watching the hurried, anxious faces
that came and went, under the flick
ering gas-lights: yet here was Ca
rew's hand on my shoulder, and
Carew's genial countenance looking
into mine. We had been close
friends and allies two years ago
when he had been conductor and ]
was engineer On the same train
Tempted by more liberal offer,
had left my post on the LADY Frank.
lin" and undertaken the supervision
of a large machine-shop; yet | still
retained pleasant recollection of
my railway days, and tonight, as
stood on the old familiar ground
with the well-known sights and sounds
around me, and the Lady" gliding
ouc of her place of shelter with burn
ished sides and flaming headlight, ]
almost wished myself back again in
my old post.
"Yes, [ thought | should. How's
the old Lady? Holds her own pretty
we'll ?"
Better than the new ones, deal !!
said the conductor, enthusiastically
viewing the fiery-throated monster as
she pulled and groaned, ran backward
few steps, and then darted forward
in a manner entirely enigmatical tC
any but our initiated selves.
"She looks as trim as a city BELLE
"Yes; Macleod keeps her well
up. | say, Frank; MacLeod's wife
is going through tonight"
| knew he was looking closely al
me, scrutinizing my countenance but
| managed with an effort, to say, quite
carelessly and unConcernedly: as
she ?"
Carew had known all about the
one disastrous love affair of my youth
he knew perfectly well that pretty
Isabel Martin had suddenly turned
round and married John Macleod
after encouraging my suit for nearly
a year; and he knew also how sensi
tive | still was on the subject. | haC
not blamed Isabel so much as some
might have been disposed to; she wa;
very young, and entirely under the
influence of her father, with whom
Macleod was a great favorite. But
none the less had received a grea
and enduring shock.
"Poor little Isabel" said Carew, a;
he reached up to turn down a long
jet of gas that threatened to crack its
glass globe-'1 rather think she ha;
got pretty well sick OF Macleod by
this time"
"Why, does he ill-treat her ?"
"Well, don't suppose he either
locks her up on bread and water, Oh
beats her; but do suppose that il
every other particular in which MAI
can neglect or ill-treat a woman, she
is neglected ard ill-treated."
"The old bruter p | muttered be
tween my teeth.
"Well-I shall see you again" sale
Carew, vanishing into the crowd will
sinuous ease and Swiftness peculiar
believe, to the race of conductors.
1t was tempestuous night il
March-the wind bowling and shrek
ing like an infuriated demon, and the
rain beating a stormy fugue on The
depot roof as | advanced to help E.,
woman in who carried a basket.
"Excuse me, Madam, but that il
too heavy for you to lift!'
She looked up to thank me, but tn,
words died on her lips as her eye
met mine. 1t was Isabel Macleod
the lost love whom | still cherished il
my heart of hearts, and the wife of
the engineer on the night express
| was the first to recover NV com
pOsure; for this, be it remembered
was the first time we had met since
her marriage, more than three years
before.
"Here is vacant seat, Isabel; d.
you wish to sit so near the stove 2
at makes no difference" said Isa
bel, hurriedly. Il am very mucl
obliged to you, Mr.. Atwater."
"How does it happen that you arr
going through such a stormy night 2
| asked, unmindful of her eviden
anxiety to be left alone.
Il do not know, myself, except tina
John wishes it"
Still | fingered. '1s there any
thing more | can do for you, Isabel p
There was no answer. | STOPPED
my head little lower.
Isabel, you are crying! What ha
grieved you? Tell me what th
trouble is ?'
"Nothing-nothing, she sobbe'
behind her veil. "Only-I had no
seen you in so long time, and it wa
1 like the old days once more; and
and am very foolish. Please leav,
me now, wont you?''
obeyed her, puzzled and indig
nant. Carew was right. A happ,
wife does not burst out crying whel
she meets the friends of her girlhood
a happy wife's look is far differen
from that pale, frightened face.
felt strongly inclined to go straigh
out to John MacLeod's post On th'
"Lady Franklin" and administer |
summary thrashing then and there.
But | checked my rising color, ant
contented myself instead with a leis
urely saunter through the train, nov
under full motion. 1t was yer,
pleasant to find myself once again OF
i tho oll fa y.,I.ac <r,.o,nJ Tho hra kp