The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-02

All afDutld tue country At Tliis season
their own hook. Tell you, sir, the Amer
: can female is some.n
Icrushed my disgust at the fellows VII
$ gar slang.
''Do you know to where she is bound
Is her ticket farther than New York -
lie eyed me very unpleasantly.
You just let that girl alone,'' he sale
ssWhat have you to do with her? You loo
as if you could hardly take care of your
self"
''My wife is with me- I said with dig
nifty; ''and | thought that if the yo'.n;
lady was alone, and in need of protection
we could offer it to her when we arrived a
New York
"All right, sir" he said more civilly
II guess she will need some one to see af
ter her, for she Is bound for Baldon, ii
Maine, and we shall miss the connection
tonight. There's an awful storm blow.
ing"
went back to my wife, with many use
less plans chasing each other in my brain
for the accomplishment of my purpose.
was compelled, i'll returning, to pass the
place where the poor girl was seated. She
looked up, and the terrified expression that
had settled upon her face changed to an
appealing glance, so appealing that hesi-
tatea; but just then my wife turned TO-
ward me with a question.
t'Did yo1l see that the strap was properly
fastened?'' she asked; ''and what was the
reason that you did not attend to its being
| correctly done before starting?"
'Itis all right" | said. "My dear, the
conductor tells me that we shall be very
late III arriving. How terrible for those
ladies who are alone to get to the city in
this storm and darkness $50 long, too, af-
ter the train has been due.''
She turned a suspicious-a very suspici-
ouss-eyc upon me.
II am so very glad,' fastened to say,
''that did not allow you to leave me, and
travel alone to New York. | am always
more comfortable in my mind when / am
near to protect you in time of need" And
| really felt so.
f'Mr. Witherton," she said, concisely,
II dislike platitudes.'
We sped on III silence, the snow was so
deep; and at each station that we stopped
at we dropped passenger OF two, till but
few were left, for we were on an accom-
mediation train. At last we passed thro'
Newark; and then the poor girl, who had
hesitatingly risen once Or twice, and then
sat down again, as if afraid Of carrying
out her intentions, at last sprang up des-
perately, and made her way to us. She
looked once in Mrs. WIS face, and then
turned to me. 1852.
"When left Washington this morning."
she said, almost inaudibly, II expected to
20 right through New York to my home,
but the conductor tells me we shall not
make the connection with the Eastern
train. am all alone, sir, and much alarm
ed, f0r I never have been before in New
York, except once, when I passed thro'
without stopping. Will you tell me where
[ can remain for the night?"
| had known that there existed some
strange sympathy between that girl and
myself when our eyes had met in passing,
and now as she looked me in the face and
appealed to me, | felt that / could do and
dare a great deal for her sake; but Mrs.
opinions have always strongly
influenced me, and [ knew that she was
not putting the most favorable construction
upon what was passing at that moment.
Still, there have been epochs in my life |
when I have remembered that I am a man
md a gentleman, and also an independent |
one in my views, however my actions may
have been curbed by circumstances. And
this was one Of those moments.
'"Ihis lady and myself" said I, notion
ing toward my wife, ''are going to the New
York Hotel tonight, and if you so desire,
will take charge Of you, and will also see
hat you are comfortably housed, and to-
morrow morning will attend you safely |
getting to the Eastern train.3
Perhaps you may manage to make it
to take her to her home your
elf" Jelly suggested Mrs. Witherton.
"Oh, no." cried the girl, innocently;
but if you please, sir, could see you
moment alone?'
She saw assent in my eyes, and led the
way to the rear Of the car, and turning
way desperately from Mrs. Witherton's
ooks, followed her.
"When we get to the city, can you take
ne to the hotel in the cnrs2' she asked,
With great trepidation.
"Certainly can, in either car Or stage.
But do you prefer them to 4 calriage?" /
sked.
''Oh, SO much - she said, thankfully:
nd after moments hesitation she added,
i have so little money with me that fear
. incur much expense;' and then she
uietly resumed her old seat.
/ returned to my Wife's side.
ssWas her communication state Sc
ret ?' said she.
E1Certainly not. She seems afraid of
acks, or drivers, or something, | really do
OF know what: only she begged me to
Ike her to the hotel in u street ear 1 /
1t an inyineible repugnance to letting my
life know the true reason of the request.
We reached the city by ten o'clock, and
,lling my pfotege to keep close to us,
ave nay arm TO Mrs. Witherton, and look
1 around for Il car us soon as we got ont
the depot to carry lis up to our destlna-
on. had just signaled one, and turned
} my party to get them in, when ] caught
ght Of my wife stepping into acomfort-
BILE carriage.
s'Why, my DEAR I exclaimed, Il
iought you were going with as" The
river was waiting, SO that was natural-
needless Of my phraseo1ogy. s'Was it Il
OF decided that we should take acar?''
III really am not quite certain Of whom
gu are speaking, Mr.. Withertoo, when
OH say we, !" she answered; shut |, for
ne, do not care to tramp to that vulgar
oyerEmy kid boots in snow and
ush. You may do as you please. \
might certainly, any one might
no did not care to count the cost; but
.ge experience had taught me a great
eal. However, could not and would not
ten If could. have left that lovely young
.eature alone at night il strange city:
, / turned away and stopped another car,
id handed her in.
Seen now in the full light Of the brilliant
is jets, as we passed along, she certainly
as lovely, with a clearness and freshness
7 eoloring and i brightness il her full ha-
4 eyes and Whiteteyen teeth. lt Is true
lat there was 4 Lack Of expression, and an
...a.a.. L,s nll tnnt 1untlId be sllaaestiEe of