The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-10-12

bhe 'hVNhtu NY iHpetuV,itlt say
ing:
Remember, Mr.. Bascomb, we hav,
been acquainted but a few hours"
II feel as IL | had known you If;
time" I said, "se pardon me If | re
peat my question; may I hope
"You may hope for much in tn,
future" she interrupted gently; 80
the present, however, il would be vel
to dismiss the subject"
OF course | could do no less thai
obey her bidding, but | flattersd my
self that she was considerably "struck'
by me.
On our arrival in New York, | ask
ed to be allowed to escort Miss Gard
ner to her aunt's house. But she re
piled that her cousin had agreed "a
meet her in the depot. | at once con
Quoted her TO the ladies' room, where
] requested the privilege Of remaining
with her until her cousins arrival.
But she would not allow even this, and
| reluctantly took my departure. She
was evidently anxious to be rid of me
for some reason or other, aud | con.
cluded that It would be impolite to
oppose her wishes. As | entered car
to go down town to my hotel, / looked
back and saw, at the window of the la
dies room, my fair travelling compan-
ion, and by her side tall, fne-look-
ing man. They we're both laughing
heartily, and for a moment | imagin-
ed that they were lauging at me. But
soon came TO the rescue and
banished that idea; what was in my
to excite merrimentY The
notion was absurd!
That afternoon l got the diamonds
from their hiding place in the bank
vaults, and deposited them in a safe
corner Of my valise, and said to my
self:
snow then, the man don't live who
is smart enough to get those jewels
away from mel"
The valise was not out of my sight
that day, and when / took my seat in
the s o'clock train that enening plac-
ed it by my side, and, resting my arm
upon it, mentally congratulated my
self on my superior sagacity aud
shrewdness.
Presently drew the evening paper
from my pocket, and was preparing to
make myself as comfortable as possible
under the circumstances, when my eye
fell upo.. the form Of a lady seated a
short distance in front of me, the con-
tour Of which seemed very familiar.
An instant later sprang forward, va
lise in hand, and exclaimed:
"Good evening, Miss Gardner"
For the lady was no other than my
pretty travelling companion of the
morning.
She looked up, and l saw that her
face bore the evidence Of recent weep.
ing.
"Ah, good evening, Mr.. Bascomb. "
she said, with an attempt at a smile.
She removed her bundles and l seat.
ed myself by her side, which, l imag.
ined might have been reserved by her
in expectation of my arrival. l plac.
ed my valise on the floor at my feet.
"fou are returning sooner than
you expected" ! remarked.
"Yes, Mr.. Bascomb," was the tear
full reply, 81 received a telegram only
an hour ago, stating that my poor pa.
pa met with an accident this after.
noon, and is lying in a very dangerous
OF course l started for
home at once"
/ expressed great sympathy. off cred
any and every assistance in my power,
and, in short, did all / could to assure
my companion of the immense inter-
est in her welfare.
But my solicitude about Miss Gard
ner was not so great as tn Danish from
my mind the responsibility which
upon it. | did not forget
hat ! had in my charge ten thousand
dollars worth of diamonds, which, pos
'ibly, some clever thief might have
his eyes on even now. | kept the va
Use tightly locked between my feet,
md | did not allow my vigilance to
,elax even when / was the most assid-
ious in my attentions to my fair com
panion.
"Will you be kind enough to close
he Window" asked the young lady,
PRESENTLY.
OF course l sprang to my feet and
'xecuted her bidding with alacrity,
lot forgetting the valise. however.
When | turned | half expected that it
you'd be gone, for was growing ner-
'ous as the distance to my home less.
ned, but there it sat exactly us I had
eft it. From that time until the
rain stopped at B, at nearly
Midnight, l did not lose sight of the
'ag.
UGanl. hive Mia aura said as