Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-27
L n A..


For the first time in my life-nearly seventeen
years and a qusrter-I was alone in the wide,
VIDE world to be precise. in that bit of il which
lies between the Paddington station and Bath.
had all but missed the train, so that my uncle
bad only time to hurry me into first class car
rage, wherein solitary lady was already
seated, and to give me q solemn injunction to
get Aunt Margery to telegraph when l ''turned
Up All Tght, before the train dashed away.
An right!' OF course should be all right,
should think, at seventeen and nearly q
quarter, might be trusted to take care of my
self during three hours journey; the more so
as nv uncle had ''put me in at one end ;" and
nv aunt would "take me out at the other"
As soon as had arranged myself and my be-
survey of nv fellow passenger-a grim, iron
gray old woman in an exasperating bonnet,
who was looking. not dsgger-thsti is much too
pointed and brilliant a simile-but rusty nails
Of the jaggedest description, at my poor little
hat; such an attractive one as IL was, too, with
the most piquant little wsx-winz imaginable
brOOiing over il with outstretched wings. Fer
my part, think, when one has pretty face,
il II wicked 10 spoil il by adowdy hat. should
have attracted much more attention II 1 had
worn an exasperaGng extinguisher like my
fellOw-traveleT's, with an aggravating bow at
the top; and, besides, Tom would not have
liked u.
Iwss rapidly losing my temper-it was too
provoking. Here was somebody evidently just
as ready to find fault and take care OF me as
anybody at home. My only comfort was a hope
that she might get ont at the next station, or at
all events at some distance from Bath. All,
low little knew what was coming, or / should
have felt glad TO have found her glarIng twice
as grimbiy from the opposite seat!
travelling alone?"
What an unnecessary question. thought.
"fou are much too young and too pretty to
be permitted to do So"
Imeekly answered that nv youth and pretti-
ness were "faults'' over which had no control.
and limited at the possibility that time might be
expected to cure both, if only i lived long
enough.
She smiled-yes, really; not bad smile,
either.
"whie waiting for that, YOU should have
somebody to take care of you"
" Take care of mel" exclaimed, with a little
shudder OF disgust. 90 an quite able TO take
care of myself-indeed, 1 am tired of being ia
ken care Of. am almost worn out. Besides
have been at two garden parties, and have
long left the sehool-room" with dignity.
my dear. the school-room would be the best
must leave you at the next station, but will
tell the guard TO look after you. You will
learn in time how good thing II is to be cared
safely through this world"
The train stopped; helped her to gather all
her bags and rugs.
the day look brighter to an old woman; 30 you
have my leave to keep il unchanged as long as
yon can" and she actually patted my cheek
with kind old hand as she passed out.
watched her take her place in a little basket
carriage that was waiting for her-watched the
old bald headed man servant stand, hat in
at home in her absence-and felt sorry, as re-
turned her gO0d-by nod, when the carriage
moved out Of sight down shady country roai
followed her in fancy TO . fowery country
home, where felt sure that she lived costly
with old servants, quaint furniture, and old pet
dogs, cat, and birds. How little then thought
must not anticipate, rs real authors say-that
must come in its own place; had not even seen
Tom, then.
The train had stopped at quiet little station,
and was just beginning to move on past the
roses and holyhocks, when the door suddenly
glance satisfied me that he would not improve
on acquaintance. Tom has told me since that
he was "cad,' and, if a "cad'' is an Odious,
hands covered with coarse rings, . sky blue
satin tie, and an overpowering odor of bad TO-
baeec-I know the difference quite well, for
Tom never smokes any but the very best Ia
Dilas, and quite enjoy the smell-then most
decidedly he was rightly designated.
saw all this at single glance, as one does
sometimes, and bent steadily over my book,
wishing that the hour which would bring me
TO dear aunt Margery was over. Presently
was reading something so amusing that had
forgotten everything beside. The train had
left the little station far behind, and was going
at full speed. when suddenly horrid voice
close TO my ear made me start, and looked up
10 see the "csd's" hideous face close to mine
such a wicked leering face!
" Take OF that veil miss, I'm sure q Whit Of
iLesn ar Will 40 you good; ms carriage Is
expression-"muggy." "Besides, it's despe-
rate bad for your eyes to read through that
Without replying, bent my head lower over
my book. but the letters were getting confused
and my heart was beating with fright.
"POor little thing! Deaf, is she?" and he
took the seat opposite and leaned across, 50 that
had to shrink into my corner to avoid his
touch. Poor little Una needed her lion now.
" Bad for the eyes, miss, and such sinners "a
yours are too good TO be wasted on that stupid
Give fellow peep at them"
And Q great red hand advanced towards my
could only cover into my corner with a
great cry OF terrOr-one helpless call on
"Cncle, knowing the while how far away he
was, and how unconscious Of his poor little
Poiiy's trouble.
putting up his hand to NV veil, the man
touched me, and the touch, slight as IL was,
reused a fury OF anger such as had never felt
before, and j hope never to feel as ain; it give
"You shall mott How dare you. You must
not touch me-uncle will kill you.''
The man laughed ct my punny rage.
NO, wish others to III his place, he should look
after You better, an not let you out alone.
You had better be civil, Or"
. and began deliberately to open it, looking at
me all the while. II was come at last, shoul|
never, never see home again, One fash a
all nv past, with Its little discontents, naught-
ness, and great happinees-my aunt's anguish
81 the telegram which would bring the news
the darkened home, the broken hearts which
would surely carry till they died the remem-
brance Of the dreadful fate OF their willful, but
OH their loving darling-sll this occurred 80
yividly to me that, with great cry for help TO
Heaven, fell at the mans feet, and entreated
him not to kill me.
"Km you, thought il was your uncle who
was to kill mel Bless your little heart, Am
going TO take care OF you. You look pale. Now
don't you come of In too great Q hurry to have
time for breakfast. Have bit Of luncheon
STOPPING to take black bag from under the
coat. " always go about provided with the
something good Jim a soft-hearted boy, am
and never see fine young woman suffer, IL l
can help il. Peck bit now-do; you have q
hungry look"
What should I-must LIDO? | sat up. and
said zs steadily as 1 could, choking back the
tears-fcr I would not cry before him:
81 am not hungry; / will not eat. DO not
speak TO me any more. You must not-I am
lady"
"a lady, know that. Do you think ia he
80 good 20 YOU IL you were not? l know q lady
when see her-snd a hungry lady. tool knew
youwas. Come, peck bit. Don't be bash
s,I -