The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-01-10
"Is this Exmouth p

is LQlS
It was the soft voice Of the pretty
traveller opposite.
''No, don't know what place this is
some way station"
"Does this train stop at way stations p
Never, generally; they must have
been especially signalled here. You
are cold, ny child-your voice trem
bles" 1t is cold," she said in scarce
ly audible tone, drawing her shawl
round her. "Oh, wish they would hur-
ry onw
eve are moving once more" I said
Conductor, for the man of tickets
was passing through the car-"why
did we stop at this backwoods place p
"Out of water" was the reply, as he
hurriedly passed by.
Now I knew perfectly well that this
answer was not the real resolution of
the matter. Our delay had not exceed
ed half minute, altogether too short
q time for replenishing the boilers; and
where on earth was the water to come
from in that desolate stretch of barren
pine woods
Five minutes afterwards the conduc-
tor reentered the car: I made room for
him at my side.
"Sit down, conductor-you've moth
ing to do just this minute"
He obeyed
what did you mean by telling me
such lie just now 2" "a.
spoke under my breat; he replied in
the same tone:
''About what p
about the reason you stopped just
now"
He smiled
ITO tell you the truth, stopped to
take on single passenger-a gentle
man who has come down from Bayswa-
ter" ae'
Exactly so-for the pleasure of
travelling in certain society. Don't
be alarmed for your own safety-it's a
detective policeman"
I was about to repeat the words in
astonishment, when he motione me to
silence
''And who is the offender ?"
don't know myselfyet. He doesn't
want a scene until the moment of ar
rest; we are safe enough until we reach
Bayswater.'
; "Where is he?
''The detective % He sits by the
door yonder, with ragged fur cap pull
ed over his eyes. Did you ever see s
more perfect specimen of the dilapidat
ed countryman p
SMILED; I could hardly help it.
"What is the case p
GA murder-a man and his wife anG
two little children-their throats cut
last night, and the house set fire to af
terwards"
"Great Heavens! what monster p
We had continued the conversation
throughout in a whisper, scarcely
above our breath, and now the conduc
tor rose and left me to study the faces
of my fellow-passengers, with curious
dread and horror.
Somehow, often as I revolved the
matter in my mind, my fency ,Oould set
tie on coarse, gross looking man op
posite, with bushy beard and coat
of shaggy wool, with the collar turn
ed up round his ears. felt convinced
that this man, with the brutal eyes, ,anc
the heavy, hanging jaws, was the Cain
and as looked furtiveiy across I caugh
the wide-open blue orbs of the fair little
girl.
Obeying the instantaneous impulse
, of my heart, rose and went over te
= her.
"You heard what we were saying my
child ?''
r "Yes-a murder-oh, how horrible y
''Do not be frightened-no one shall
, hurt you"
She SMILED up in my face with sweet
confding innocence.
Our stay at Exmouth was but brief
e but during the delay I could see tina
the watchful detective had changed hi
| seat to one nearer the british man il
the shaggy overcoat.
, "See," faltered the young gir
t -"they-they locked the car doors a
| Exmouth; they are unlocking then
now"
, She was right.
"Probably they were fearful lest tn
] criminal should escape / remarked il
an undertone.
"Will you-may I trouble you t'
e bring me glass of water p
rose and made my way towards tn
ice-cooler by the door, but with Difficult
ty, for the train was again under rapi'
f motion. To my disappointment tn
tin goblet was chained to the shelf.
D ''No matter" she said, with win
e ming smile 81 will come myself"
: I drew the water, and held up tn
!, cup; but instead Of taking it as she ap
D preached, she brushed suddenly pas
: me, opened the door, and rushed ou
upon the platform.
t "Stop her! stop herr' shouted tn
: detective, springing to his feet. Ssh
will be killed; conductor-brakeman-
. hold up!'