The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-01-20
WESTMINSTER MD. THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 90 Is

SO you might, sir," returned the
lady, with faint ironical smile.
You soc, then, that there is ground
for nervousness on the part Of an old
man." smd the brewer.
"Ah, that is why you were locked
in this carriage" said the lady.
Exactly" he replied,
"0h, comprehend" she continued.
" On my part | am not very nervous at
all"
You are not p he cried.
"No. Why should be SO, when ]
have you to protect me 2" She smiled
again ironically, and the old gentleman
bowed.
The conversation then turned on diff
fereut subjects. Presently December
and May partook Of a sandwich together,
and by and by the train stopped at Tun-
bridge.
Here tall, military looking aud
rather handsome man was seeking to
find place in the train. He must pro.
coed, he said, at once Oh 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 on without him
while he had been taking a hasty meal
at the refreshment bar.
g. must and will proceed" he said
calmly, but firmly, to the guard, who in
vain protested that the train was al
ready quite full.
"Ihe company are bound to take me
on" he cried.
There is no room, sir" said the
guard.
We will see. Ha! - he calculated
looking into the carriage in which sat
the brewer and his companion, "herc is
room" he added, and irowned at the
guard.
You cannot go in there, sir p said
the latter, 10 great confusion.
+" Not go iu Well, We will see, "
said he, aud he eoOlly took key from
his pocket, and unlocked the door of
the carriage, stepping briskly in.
The guard stared in amazement.
" He has got key" he calculated to
himself. "Oh, he must be a director.
Beg pardon, sir"
But there was no time for expana-
tiou, for the train was already on its
way.
The brewer frowncd and locke cross
at this fresh addition to the company.
Not so the lady, who at the voice and
sight of the newcomer had at first
turned slightly pale. She merely gave
a lance at him, aud recommended the
pcrusal of Harry Dantoa As for the
stranger he settled himself down in the
opposite seat to her, and taxing from
his pocket late edition of the Stand.
ard, became apparently absorbed 10 its
columns.
1t may here be mentioned that the
brewer, who had at first been seated op,
posite to his fair travelling companion
had lattcrly, for the purpose Of indulg.
ing in his afternoon nap, changed his
seat to the farther corner Of the car.
riagc. His first seat then being vacant
was appropriated by the newcomer.
On, on rushed the train, through
cornfelds and hop grounds at the steady
even pace which prevented its rapidity
from being felt. Now some opened
mouthed rustic stood at a half.opened
gate, staring after the smoking, putting
engine as it tore along; now some covey
OF partridges rose from the edge of the
embanklnent, or startled colt gallopped
away from the vicinity of the (in its
eyes) resistlcss monster that appeared
to be approaching him. And still on
steadily on, without oscillation or csrve
sped tn, Dover Express.
The military man, or at least he who
appeared to be such, was steadily re-
garding his opposite neighbor over the
top of his newspaper while apparently
engaged in reading, She, unconscious
OF the scrutiny, was absorbed in the
fortunes Of the scoundrel hero of her
novel and the old brewer snored audi
bly, in the farther corner.
The face of the military looking man
expressed perplexity and doubt. He
was parsonage Of from fifty to sixty
years of age, with au upright carriage
crisp, short, curling black hair, inter.
mixed with gray, and peculiarly intel.
ligent and piercing black eyes. For
some miles he appeared to be debating
with himself, and occasionally, with an
air of indecision,. put his hand into his
coat tail pocket.
"The opportunity is good" he NUT.
tered, "and yet