Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-26
ARomnnce or ,hs RAIN

station together. She was In the lead, a
position she is not likely to surrender as
long as they travel together. A tall bru-
nette, with sharp face, piercing black
eyes, hair black as a raven wing, long
aquiline nose, with mole on the side OF
it, mouth the cut of which betokened
determination and force. She had passed
the shady side of the teens and had
climbed to the apex Of quarter Of q
century. He was guiless youth, over
whose tow-colored head some eighteen
summers had passed, an innocent hob
bledehoy, just released from his mother 8
apron strings. On him she cast loving
glances, and bis face, suffused in bushes,
was turned with timid, appealing look
to her.
The car was crowded and eligible
seats not easily obtaiuable. About the
middle of the car sedate traveller oc-
cupied q seat to himself Thither the
irrepressible lady pressed her way. The
ssdate traveller rose, and with much
courtesy invited her to take seat next
to the window, and when she was seated
he calmly ensconced. himself upon the
vacant half of the chair. By, this time
the young man whom she was escortiug
had come up He placed his hand on
the back of the seat, looked appealingly
on the face of his protectress, and tim
idly around the car. He was evidently
embarrassed, and did not know what to
do with himself. The sharp-uosed Sru-
nette eyed the sedate traveller by her
side with sharpness that almost amount,
ed to malignity.
But the traveller seemed all uncon
scious of the scrutiny to which he was
subjected, and looked away over the
fields through the opposite window.
The brunette could no longer endure
to see her callow beau standing forlorn
and thus she addressed the sedate trav
eler, whose eyes we're wandering faI
away, and whsse thoughts we're with the
dear ones at home:
say, stranger
We'll, say on, responded the sedats
traveller.
" say, look here, stranger" "
Well, what have you got to show
me2' said the sedate man.
Stranger, | want you to know thai
this young gentleman standing up there
is my feller."
"0h? I'm glad to hear it. How long
have you had him2 Take care of him,
| suppose~
Now, you just look here stranger
this young man is my feller, and Tn
bound to see that nobody shall impose
on him. You hear me2 Now if you had
any manners you'd just get right up and
let him have seat by me.
"Oh, I'm very happy in your society.
You cannot imagine how much pleasure
it has given me to furnish you q seal
where you can see through the window
Besides, always took q special delight
in being near charming ladies like your
sell, replied the sedate traveller.
But, sir, he is my feller, sir, my
beau--d6 you understand
rs that so7 Who would have thought
it2 And does bis mother place him un-
der your protection when he goes
abroad2"
Now. you look here, stranger, me
and that young man expects to be en-.
gagged and we've been keeping company
together, and me and him wants to have
a talk together, aud you are real mean il
you don't give him seat by me, so that
we can talk; that what think.
The imperturbable traveller straight.
ened up. then leaned over in the drec.
ton of the sharp-faced brunette, smiled
most benignly and lovingly on her, and
thus spoke:
Charming lady, | would be most
happy to accommodate you, but you see
I'm pilgrim and stranger, way-worn
and weary, and long way from home.
Besides, my heart is just now beating a
tattoo of ecstatic satisfaction because oil
your charming presence. Being bach
elor, and 80 near one 80 lovely and en-
gsging, how can | foEegQ the pleasure ]
now enjoy2 have had dreams in my
time-bright dreams-as ] have van.
dered through this great big world, Of
some time meeting one TO whom ! could
reveal all this sad heart Of mine would
fain no longer conceal. You are the
impersonation of my dreams, and now
would you drive me from your lovely
sideP Say, has no bird sung in your
heart? ! saw you come rs q star rises
above the horizon, and the light OF youl
eyes has illumined my soul. Say, beau
tiful stranger, will you drive me henceY
The sedate traveller ceased to speak.
The FIRE had gone down In the bru
nettes eyes, the severe expression had
vanished from her face, her stern lips
had relaxed their rigidity and parted
just enough 10 reveal the ivory structure
within, aud in g tone that was soft and
low she asked;
Did you say you was bachelor
Aye, beautiful stranger, that's ny
fortunate station
Then the brunette turned her eye
softly upon her feller who stooG