The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-23

than ever; ais it not So to fear that yor
are to become a second Mr. Briggs Sucl
occurrences do not take place now"
"NOt take place ~ cried the brewer
| opening his eyes; "why, on that very
platform / was reading"
"Oh, oh. yes, read it myself" said the
lady
"You dids' said the old gentleman.
Assuredly," was the reply; why
not?"
"You see, then, that such things dc
take place, madam"
"Well, perhaps So" she admitted "bui
they arc exceptional, sir."
might prove one Of the exceptions,
said he.
$50 you might, SIR" returned the lady
with family ironical smile.
You see, then, that there is ground for
nervousness, on the part Of an old man,
said the brewer
"Ah that is why you were locked a this
carriage" said the lady
Exactly" he replied.
ooh, | comprehend" she continued.
On my part, l am not nervous at all"
You are not ?" he cried
"No. Why should | be 80, when
have you to protect mes" She smiled
again ironically, and the old gentleman
bowed.
The conversation then turned on differ
ent subjects. Presently, December and
May partook of a sandwich together, and,
by-and-by, the train stopped at Tun-
bridge.
Here tall, military looking, and rather
handsome man was seeking to find place
in the traln He must proceed, he said,
at once, on business of great importance,
for he was already late, having come thus
far on his way to Dover by previous
train, which had unfortunately gone with
out him whilst he had been taking a hasty
meal at the refreshment bar
=" / must and will proceed" he said calm
ly, but firmly, to the guard who in vain
protested that the train was already quite
full
"The company are bound to take me
on, ~ he cried.
There's no room, sir" said the guard.
1--WE will see. Hal" he calculated, look
brewer and his companion, "here is room,"
he added and he frowned at the guard
You cannot go in there, sir ~ said the
latter, in great confusion.
mot go in! Well, we will see," said
pocket, and unlocked the door of the car
riage, stepping briskly in
The guard stared in amazement.
"He has got keyr' he calculated to
himself ooh, he must be director !
Beg pardon, sir''
But there was no time for explanation,
for the train was already on its way.
The brewer frOwned, and looked cross
at hi oII to- 4 ha<
so the lady, who at the voice and sight Of
the newcomer had at first turned slightly
pale. She merely gave a passing glance
at him, and recommended the perusal of
Henry Danton. AS for the stranger, he
settled himself down in the opposite seat
to her, and taking from his pocket late
edition of the Standard, became apparent
ly absorbed in the columns.
1t may here be mentioned that the brew
er, who had at first been seated opposite
to his fair travelling companion, had lat
terly, for the purpose of indulging in his
usual afternoon nap, changed his seat to
the further corner of the carriage. His
first seat, then, being vacant, was apprO-
priated by the newcomer
On, on rushed the train, through corn
fields and hop grounds, at steady, even
pace, which prevented its rapidly from
being felt. Now some open mouthed rus
tic stood at a halfopened gate, staring
after the smoking, putting engine as it tore
along; now some cOvey of frightened part
ridges rose from the edge of the embank-
ment, or a startled colt galloped away
rom the vicinity of the Tin its eyes, resist
less monster that appeared TO be approach
ing him. And still on, steadily on, with
out oscillation or curve, sped the Dover
express.
The militarJ man, or at least he who
appeared to BE- such, was steadily regard
ing his opposite neighbor over the top of
his newspaper, while apparently engaged
in reading. She, unconscious of the scru-
tiny was absorbed in the fortunes of the
scoundrel-herO of her novel; and the old
brewer snored audibly in the further cor
ner.
The face of the mllitary-loOking man
expressed perplexity and doubt He was
a parsonage of from 90 to 80 years of age,
with an upright carriage, crisp, short,
curling black hair, intermixed with gray,
and peculiarly intelligent and piercing
black eyes. For some miles he appeared
to be debating with himself and occasion
ally, with an air Of indecisiOn, put his
hand into his coat-tail pocket.
The opportunity is good, he mutter-
ed; "and yet"
At last, when the train was within
few miles of Ashford, he appeared to have
made up mis- mind.
81 Twill risk it," he said to himself; eyes,
/ will risk it,"
Click, click!
The military man had suddenly with
drawn his hand from his pocket, in which
it had so long been fumbling, and the old
brewer woke up with terrified start.
The fair lady of this story, with a pale but
resOlute look on her face, was sitting hand
cuffed,
What-what is this" gasped the brew
er, only half awake, and turning in be
wildered amaZement to the military
stranger "Who are you, sir,"
Inspector T, of the detective force"
was the reply.
"And that lady," said the old gentle
man; "wnat has she dOne?"
care you sure she is ladys" inquired
the inspector with quiet smile.
ooh, who could doubt that?" said the
brewer.
al doubted it, sir" was the quick reply;
"and well for you did, for have decided
ly saved your life"
"Saved my life!" cried the brewer, in
extreme astonishment.
"Yes," said the detective.
"But how inquired the brewer.
"Look at that lady, as you call her"
said the officer. did you ever see any
one like her ?"
"I?" stammered the old gentleman.
"Oh, never"
"Or read of anyone like her" contin-
ued the inspector.
Never" cried the other.
"YOu have not read those handbills all
down the line, them" said Inspector L.
"What handbills?" inquired the brewer
"Why, concerning the recent murders
in railway carriages"
"Yes, l have read them" he replied.
"Well?" said the officer.
81 cannot see how that concerns this
lady"
Even the prisoner smiled at such Obtuse-