Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-02
THE OUTSIDE PASSENGER.

Pierre Raymond was engaged to jamie
Martin, and his sleep was troubled by
dreams about his idol. He dreamed
that they were in a dark wood of close
grouped funeral hemlocks and spruces r
jamie was strugglingi in the ever tight
ening folds of huge boa-constrictor
with human face, like that of Lindley
Grey, discarded lover Of jamie, while
he, striving vainly to cry QUITO hasten
to her assistance, seemed paralyzed in
every limb, helpless and motionless as o
marble statuei frf
He awoke, bathed in cold perspira-
ton, with a painful sense of the vivid
ness and reality of the horrible vision
which had oppressed his dreams.
Surely something had happened to
Janie-surely some dark peril hung
threateningly over her future.
1t was some time before reason anc
common sense came to his aid sufii
ciently to enable him to laugh at the un
real chimeras, yet he hardly felt safe the
next day until he had taken jamie Mar
tins home in his way to the office, learn
ing from the good clearinghouse keeper
that Miss Martin was quite we'll
IL think will see her for minute
if she will receive mel" he said.
Mrs. Reeves came back presently
Would Mr. Raymond walk up to Miss
Martins sitting-room?
jamie sat on the floor, hurriedly turn.
ing things into her trunk, in the midst
of chaos of feminine belongings
"Janiel surely you are not goinG
away2"
II must Pierre. / have just received
q telegram from my stepmother, who is
very ILL., and wants me TO come to her a
once. l must travel night and day, OF
it may be too late.
"Let me see the telegram.
jamie gave him the slip of paper and
he read:
"Your stepmother is very ill-not'ex
pected to live. Come to her at once,
A MONTAGUE.
"And who is this A. Montague2"
Pierre turned the paper over and over
in his hands. .
Jamie, he said, "are you not acting
a little rashly2 Wait until you htnI
more definite tidings.
Until my stepmOther is dead2 oh,
Pierre, she was so kind to me when poor
papa was taken away, and the little
children will need my care sorely.
"0ut, jamie"
p" There is no use in wasting words,
Pierre-I must go by the noon train"
Where is it2
"In Darnellsdale, twelve miles from
Courtfeld. | go as far as Court6eld by
train, and there take the stage"
when will you reach there2 b.
AT midnight, if we meet with no de-
lays" .il
minedly, ~ shall go with you"
Indeed you shall not Pierre" said
the little damsel resolutely, and flushing
up TO the roots of her hair. " will go
alone" ...f...a
II do not think il safe, jamie"
"What nonsense, Fsrrel" she cried,
lauahing.
but listen to me, my dearest" and
urged by some strong, irresistible power,
Pierre told jamie the story Of his dream.
She laughed more merrily than ever.
"NoF ] am determined you shall not
accompany ne Pierre. A man to allow
a foolish dreamto ip9qenee his conduct
Never"
"Bat, jamie, I insist upon itg'
And / utterly refuse. There!N
"Janie" he said, almost sternly.
"If you do not abandon the subject at
once for all, she said resOlutely, |
shall consider it as a sign and token
that yoF 6esire our engagement to be at
an end.
But you viii lei me -
She pat her hand plsyfslly yet imper-
atively over his lips.
"What did I tell you7 Come, soar
business awaits you, and am in a des-
perate hurry to get all things packed.
fHI am TO consider myself dismissed
tksn9' 10 said, half laughing half
vexei. ,
jamie Jumped up, yEE . him, and
gave him coRxing little kiss, ~ ke Stood
on the threshold.
:" / shall write to you just as soon a. |
get there-and we shall be separated but
4 Sr5sf time after all H.
: 4 may sss you of at me depotg
Mot even thSt.' jamie was begin
ming 70 be annoyed agsia. 2 Iei me
have my own way lor opee=ii 2 NO
mans privilege, pntil she Is married, at
least
Pierre Raymond was disquieted still.
The dream haunted him every hour II
would reither be laid nor exercised, lei
him stsiye as he would.
" II were = al inclined to supersi.
ton" said Pierre Raymond, " / should
believe this 10 be 9 warming should
-, ard myself as mad i ] gave DO heeg
IA VS. brilliant starlight night vhen
the trim little figure N the sober gray
travelling dress and veiled face took her
seat in the stage-coaeh which stood a