National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-02-14
bursting ont Of tho carriooe. He co

bursting ont Of the carriage. He came
nearer, asking as he came. / leaned
out, and, as the man stood opposite me,
almost snatched what rightly guessed
to be q telegram out of his hands.
Yes!" | answered, "my name il
Douglas. Open the door. please, and
take out my things"
Little fool that was! Why did not
carefully read the telegram first l only
glanced at the commencement OF the
message: Am coming ty meet train. "
When all my things were taken out OF
the carriage, (as for the heavy luggage,
l forgot that entirely, when the train
had begun to move-in fact, when it
was too late-I read the remainder of
the telegram, which ran thus: "Wait
for me at Paddington."
It'was only the presence Of numerous
passengers and porters on the platform
that prevented me, there and then, from
bursting into tears. restrained myself,
and the bitterness was the more bitter.
What was to be done? When did the
uext train pass through Didcot? In
about an hour. OF course it stopped ?
No that's the fast train through
only stops at Swindon and Reading"
was the consoling answer / received to
my inquiries. ! could not leave Didcot
for nearly two hours. At this l retired
to the waiting-room, and, sitting down
in dark corner, gave way. | couldn't
help it. This was my marriage day.
And my darling was not with me. Per-
haps | should never see him again.
Perhaps there would be an accident.
Perhaps perhaps-and my fears came
aflesh and ] sat in my misery, feeling
utterly lost and forsaken and as differ
ent creature from the happy bride of
few short hours ago as could possibly
be conceived.
Presently porter came in to light
the gas. 1t was quite dark by this tine
| asked him to call me when the express
was coming. The man eyed me as if he
suspected 1 contemplated suicide. l
satisfied neither his surmises nor sus-
picions. l would have an eager gaze at
the train as it passed perhaps l might
get glimpse of my darling.
The time went slowly by, and | sat
fiercely staring at the fire through my
tears. At last the porter called me.
Now, Miss r'-Miss again =" the
express is coming"
rushed out. took mp my position
where miserable lamp cast a sickly
glare-the best in the station--on the
line where the train must pass. On it
came-the two great red lamps on the
engine shining like giants eyes in the
hnnt nocrarlu fnru-nrl in s,11tn
of the warnings of the suspicious por-
ter, who seemed determined to keep an
eye on me. One by one the lighted
carriages went by. Not there F.! Not
there Not there D.! Quicker than it
takes TO describe this, the last carriage
by And there, against the
window, I saw my darling's profile. He
was staring straight before him, moodily
perusing the hat-rack. At least, this
was my impression, from this moment
airy glimpse got OF course he didnot
see me, his poor, loving, foolish little
wife, standing on the bleak Didcot plat
form, in the darkening night. He could
not know her with sinking heart l got
back to the dingy waiting room, back to
my chair and my tears. And this was
my wedding day
1t was about eight o'clock. l stood
On the Paddington platform. The weary
waiting was at length over. | should
take cab to our hotel, and find my
larling. When / came to take out my
traps, I found my traveling-bag was
missing. | must have left it at Didcot.
And all my keys and money were in it !
After endless trouble, l found the
guard in charge of the down-train, which
was Just on the point of starting. ]
gave him instructions, and he promised
NE my bag, if it was to be found, early
the next morning. Having given the
name Of my hotel, and substantial
assistance to his memory, l stood
watching the departing tran,
while porter put my things in cab
when there, in first-class carriage, in
the act of wrapping himself in rug,
was Fred, going back in search of his
ost little wife
Fred Fred I" screamed, regard
ess of appearances :. and with out
stretched hands l rushed towards the
carriage window. Ny foot slipped, my
head seemed to be whirling round, and
[ fell. A surging noise thundered in
nv ears, and then voice said -
'"Well, little darling what's the mat
ter ?"
Where are we gasped.
"Close to Paddington," laughed
Fred. Feel better after your nap,
darling ?"
So had only been asleep and dream
ing