The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-12
TRAVELLERS ON TWO ROADS.

IhAF EIEhO YIN IWO hUADO.
The train for Pittsburg was little late
that afternoon. In the drawing room car
rows of tired people speculated on the
chances of getting in before dark. or gaped
monotonously behind newspapers. Indeed,
these newspapers were SO numerous, SO I'M
compromising, SO rellgiously spread open to
every last rustling fold, so much more con-
spicuous than the Insignificant heads behind
them, that it might be supposed that every
body going to Pittsburg had a constitutional
objection 10 being looked at.
There was one seat in the farther end OF
the car that was unprotected by any such
screen, and its occupants lady of rather
uncertain age-5elonged neither to the
SPECTATORS nor the gapers. She was lying
back in her chair, her eyes wide open, in
spite of many vigorous efforts to shut them.
The face might be young face, but seen in
that light, and with the dust OF travel upon
it, it appeared old. There were dark rings
under her eyes, a weary, tremulous motion
of the lids. Her mouth was the only beauti-
full feature of her face. 1t was very sensitive,
and curved like bow.
A letter lay in her lap, addressed to Miss
Margaret Rowe. She held it oper in her
fingers. and now and then read parts of it
with an air as ii its contents were not suffi-
GENTLY amusing to make it worth reading
all at once. At last she sheathed it in its
envelope, and again leaned back In her
char with a an expression of semi-despera-
ton.
'Ifs no use," she soliloq uizsd: my eyes
wont stay shut, unless l tie my handker
chief over them. Suppose I should growl
little, by way of change? There Is such
a morse that it won't be heard Nothing
would short of the last trump. And 1t is
such relief to hear ones own voice"
Thereupon issued a series of singular
sounGs-not exactly groans, not exactly
grunts, but having hybrid character be-
tween the two. They were very subdued,
indeed caught and drowned by the noise Of
the train almost as soon as they were out OF
her mouth. Miss Rowe appeared to find
them relief, to judge by her comical
smile. They were very regular also. and,
batting little touch Of evaporation, not at
all calculated to alarm a timid person.
She varied the performance once by hum
ming tune to herself, but was not so salts
factory.
TOO resigned, altogether" she murmured
emitting her forehead and relapslng into the
growing state again.
Suddenly something touched her from be-
hind. The concert ceased abruptly. She
Jumped q little, and then settled back into
her chair as If it was nothing in the world
that concerned her.
81 was sure that seat was empty" she
thought with much vexation. "It was when
got IN. Somebody must have taken it after
the train started, and did not hear him."
Somebody evidently had done so, and not
only that, but was evidently of very char
liable. not to say persistent, disposition.
The touch came again on her shoulder;
chair and the appearance at her side OF a
neighbor from the rear.
81 beg pardon, madam; but I am afraid
you are ILL.,"
mot at ALL" replied madam, with an
dacious disregard of truth, glancing up to
see what manner of man it was that spoke.
A brown face, brown eyes, brown hair
everything brown about him, seemingly,
except his coat; and everything-hair, coat
and all-cIosely cut, closely guarded, as if
their owner had no mind that they should
reveal anything about him; man who
seemed to express in a subtle way that il
pleased HIM to puzzle other people.
Margaret was instantly interested. and
grew ten times as Indifferent as before.
''Not at all" she repeated, calmly survey.
Ing the intruder.
Then the-the groans 1 heard were
doubtless remarkable spiritual manifesto
tion?'
slight twitching round the corners oil
her mouth. "Oh, 1 had headache, be
lIeye. 1t can't be helped"
~ beg your pardon again, but 1t can be
She opened her eyes at this confident
remark. but would not ask HIM what be
ment.
81 am Dr. Ritchie," he went on-''Dr
Richie, of Pittsburg. 1t is not likely yor
ever heard of me before. But you cal
identity me easily when you get to Pitts
burg, If you care to take the trouble. Mean
while carry my weapons with me, and
have some medicine here that Will cur
your headache"
81 have heard of DIR. Ritchle," answered
Margaret, adding perversely, II don't know
whether ever heard of you, sir. or not"
"As much as to say that you do not know
whe, her am DIR. Richie or not"
tenY''
Il don't know how, 1 am sure. 1t doe
not matter, either"
Miss Rowe thought it did matter as SD
watched him fumbliDg among the bottles i
the old black valise. At last he found
bottle suited 10 his mind, extracted from
another corner a small drinkIng-glass. an
delibe rately proceeded to pour out th
liquid.
.Does the man really suppose / am goin
to drink it?v thought Margaret.
As il he was clairvoyant, DR.. Ritchi
looked up and remarked coolly, Now 20
arc going to drink this, but first, If you wisf
Twill call the attention of some of your Re
low passengers, to the circumstances, 50 tbs
you may be under their protection the rel
of the way.
.NoI' exclaimed Margaret, raising he
self. He really looked for the moment As