The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-11-20

II =
obliged to lay my hand for supi q
the door Of the carriage), "but I psogtfn'
you are going to Paris, and II you VIII "
so kind as to post this letter for me wher
you arrive, you will do me q great ser
vice. 1t Is Of Importance to me II stpult
be delivered In Paris In the course OF tn,
day, and was just too late for the post:
My heart beat once more. coult
breathe again. was delighted; Of cosrs'
would take the letter, said; why nom
Ing would give me greater pleasure thSs
to Obllge him. 1t was no trouble at pi
should be sure to post Il myself, etc.
believe II he had asked me. / should Will
ingly have taken several boxes. ..
So ut last got Into the carriage, an Ell
derly gentleman, who was also rathel
late, getting In at the same time, and sit
ting down opposite to me. The sigma
was given, the train started, and In few
minutes we were some distance from tht
great city. "Well," said to myself. VI
am lucky; at any rate have got my free
dom; It won't be very pleasant work lr
Paris, but shall be free, aud have nc
stain on my character Asre-nO expos,i'e
before the world" drank some brandy
from travelling flask. rs the emotions
I had experienced made me feel very
shaky, lighted the cigar, and feeling at
peace with all my fellOw-pa COM
menced inspecting their various counte-
nances-in fact, I considered my escape
to be accomplished, for. of course, even
supposing they got an idea OF the route /
was taking, they would never send to Do
yer after me, so smoked on, and thor
oughly enjoyed my cigar, which, by the
way, was u very good one.
/ was not destined, however, to remain
long undlsturbed, for on looking ut my
fellOw-passcngers, was suddenly startled
by noticing that my opposite neighbor
was looking ut me very intently, and ap-
peared to be watching me carefully. !
turned my eyes away, and determined
neither to think Of or even notice the gen.
tleman's scrutiny, which I thought, ut
any rate, very impollte, and applied my
self with renewed vlgOr to my cigar; but
somehow It seemed to have lost all flavor,
and could not help glancing ut my Op
posite nelghbor. This time l thought
detected sort of self-satlsfletl expression
on his cOuntenance, as though he had Just
discovered something In me of a pleasant
nature. Presently, catching my eye, he
addressed me.
"a cold evening""
"Yes, very"
'You are SO well covered, suppose
you don't feel much?"
"well, 1t Is perhaps better to DO care
fll."
at Is; but I am surprised you should
have arrived at this conclusion. Young
men are generally so reckless, particular
ly In your professlon."
"They are sometimes" C'What can
he meanY' thought. "He surely does
not know me.'O
"You are In the army, believes"
"No, l am not"
"True, / forgot. You have been."
"Yes, l have"
But imagine my CONSERVATION when,
bending towards me In q confidential way,
aud speaking In low voice, my cOnpan-
lon said:
~ believe am addressing Mr.-T
felt the blood rushing to my cheeks.
and for one moment debated whether
should own my name or assume another; |;
but refiecting. II he was following me, 1t
would be quite useless trying to deceive
him, mustered all my courage, and,
steadying my voice Us well rs l could,
answered.:
.:st.Ye-s, you are"
WAh. I thought I could not be inistak-
en-. seldom am; and" he added with q
knowing smile, Ito tell you the truth, i
have seen one Of those photographs you
had taken ut Meyers and they are really
capital" A., -
thought. How could he find out went
there to be photographed? But he con-
tinued
ayes, have been watching you some
time, young man."
"Indced," I said. ('You old bruto,"1 l
thought, giving up all hope, aud feeling q
cold perspiration all over my neck anu
forehead.)
"Whcre are you going tor he said.
swell, was going to Paris" he said.
swell, was going to Paris" / replied,
wishing to make him understand quite
saw his meaning.
"Oh, can't allow you to do that now
we have met. I must Insist on carrying
YOU Off for q short time. I'll see you arc
Comfortably put up. You shall stay with
me. don't suppose your business Is so
very important rs to prevent your accept
ing my Invitation 2"
We'll, 1 thought. at any rate he Is very
polite, iand even kind, for he evidently
spares me, and does not expose me be-
fore the other passengers. As he Is chaff-
ing, I'll try and answer him In the same
spirit; so / replied, I should be very glad
to accept his Kind invitation.
"That't right. don't like people who
make fuss. They always come In tho
end"
"No doubt" said to myself. 'Thcy
have not much choice"
Snow, I dare say you'd like to know
who am, and what sort of place am
going to stay atr"
"Oh, not Mt all thank you. I am not
curious. Ill make the best oft when l
get there"
"Eh hP-whatY" said my friend, evident
ly rather astonished. 'Nlake the best Of
It? Why, rs for that, 1t Is place many u
duke has been glad enough to live In be-
fore now."
"Really you surprise me-" said, at the
same time sincerely plying such unfort''-
nate dukes.
"well you shall Judge for yourself
when We get hOme."
Nv new friend then, to my great aston
ishment and relief, told me his name was
". that he had been intimate with my
father when they were both young men,
and that he was ut first much struck with
the resemblance bore to my father; he
also informed me he had made large
fortune and bought large estate within
some miles Of Dover, where he was now
living. and that his greatest friend was
my uncle, an old bachelor, who resided
next to him; It was. In his house he had
seen my photograph, and from him he
had heard Of my leaving the army. !!
ought perhaps to tell you my uncle held
no communication whatever with any Of
the family, having peculiar ideas; he had
with most Of them. But al-
though he never saw any Of the members
of his family. I found out aftcrward that
he made 1t his special business to watch
and follow, unknown to them, the ca
reers of his nephews and nelces. went
to stay with Mr.. X. (having given the let
ter had promised to post In Paris to q
gentleman, who kindly undertook to do
Il for me.) He introduced mo to my un.
Gle, whom had never seen before, and
made them both laugh very heartily by
telling them how had first taken Mr.. Y.