The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-08-02
Through Passengers.


"Where are you going, Dick?"
"Back to chat with my through pas
sengers."
And Dick Davis, the conductor, left the
mail car, and entered the through coach
attached to the train.
Closing the door he walked straight to
AN old man seated in the center OF the
car. His hair and beard We're as white as
snow, but there was no crows feet on his
forehead nor wrinkles on his cheeks. His
eyes flashed with the light of lusty man.
hood, though his hair would indicate that
he had crossed the boundaries of his
.three-scOre years.
He smiled when the pleasant-faced con-
ductor dropped into the seat before him,
and leaning forward, made a remark in
q low tone of voice. This remark caused
Davis to raise his head, and gaze at the
beautiful face of girl who slept IN
seat beside the white bearded passenger.
s'She sleeps like child" the conductor
said, admiring the face, and wishing per-
haps that he could enjoy such a slumoer.
''She always sleeps that way respond
ed the passenger, with a smile' land
when she wakes she is as fresh as a rose"
"Your daughter has company, l see,"
observed Davis, glancing at the remainder
of the ear, who appeared to be sleeping
soundly.
Eyes; are they going drought"
"Oh, yes; none bat through passengers
are admitted to this coach. They are not
communicative llow-travelers, should
say"
.They are not" replied the old man.
"Mr. Davis, do not like my travelling
companions" and the speakers voice was
lowered.
The conductor looked surprised.
"Will you explain, Mr.. Radcliffe?"
A short time previous TO the present
conversation the conductor and has pas
senger had exchanged names, and were
thus enabled to call each other properly.
81 can scarcely explain" was the pas
senger's reply. There is man IL the
fourth seat from the stove, whom, unac-
countably, do not ike. He boarded
the train at Romney, and / have caught
him looking askance az myself and
Mabel. Then the fellow who appears to
be asleep three seats behind him on the
opposite side of the aisle has been guilty
of the same thing, and believe there is
connection between the parties. do
not want you to think that ! fear them.
Never in my life, and / have passed
through the wild tribes Of the Amazonion
valley, have l feared man. Over there
lies the only jewel to which cling" and
he nodded toward the slumbering girl.
- h. IL
veins runs my blood, and you must
know that she is dear to me-"
"Certainly, Mr.. Radcliffe" said Davis.
s.Your entire solicitude is for her."
"ExsctlyI"
"Do you know these two feliows?'
al do not; never saw them before in
all my life."
Conductor Davis thought moment
yourself and daughter car avoid
them by taking up quarters 10 tie for
ward car. assure you that you will not
be regarded as intruders, and that the &C.
commodations will not lack comfort"
But the passenger gently declined the
conductors offer, and said that be would
finish his journey in the coach be had
been placed in for that purpose.
AIIeI . lew more WOIOS O6vls ielt Tie
coach and passed into the express car
where be soon appeared TO forget his pas
senRers in q conversation with the mes
seager.
Tho door had hardly closed on the con
ductor's form when the man nearest the
Stove showed signs Of animation. HI
turned his head and looked up the dimly
lighted aisle, not forgetting to let BIZ
syes rest on the old traveller aud hi
daughter. He was a handsome man
shout thirty-five years of age, and above
his luxuriant crop Of silky, auburn whis
kern, shone pair Of mild blue eyes.
Not one man in hundred would have
choseo him for . rascal.
He IVES we'll, almost fashiiy, dressed
thers was handsome diamond pin OF
~ bosom, and . crested ring on hi
I'D.
AIl0wing his eass - return down III