Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-13
THE GHOST OF A CHANCE.
A STRANGE STORY.

ttce.
Here is young fellow. like scores of others,
with just enough property to live on and TO
deprive him OF the spur to exertion. A barrister,
quite briefleSs, dabbling In art, literature and
other tastes he has one for quaint iewelry-not
for its own adornment, but he collects IL ana
possesses many curious specimens, ancient and
often shown noe these treasures. One day call
on him, after a long vacation, and find him
throwing of slip after slip OF manuscript
shall have finished. have made wonderful
addition to my collection, and In tbe oldest
manner. am writing story about 1t, and
there-that's the end OF the first part" He has
been scribbling away while speaking and now
lays down his pen.- you shall read for your
SELF" he goes on, gathering up his manuscript,
show 1t came about, and you Will understand
why am rather excited at recalling this. the
narrow escape and the strangest adventure
ever had had. In my life. Then, lighting cigar,
chair by the fire, and begins pacing the room,
while read as follows:
left Kings Cross by the night nail on the
10th OF last August. / was out OF health tired.
and wanted to sleep; so, settling my traps on the
seat TO my satisfaction i suddenly remembered
that l had nothing TO read, and called the
guard to the window. that he might get me
book. Returning in minute, he put into my
hands Bulwer'S ''Strange Story;' and as gave
him the money, he said, "Now we're off In one
minute, sir: hope you'll like my choice" Lei
surely turning over the leaves by the light OF
the carriage lamp, very soon found that the
work my friend had selected was utterly dis
tasteful to me, and regretted having wasted
my money upon 1t. 1t was story, as most peO-
pie know, treating of spiritual influences, sub
Ject on which i was thoroughly sceptical. |
soon got tired OF 1t; but 1t served its purpose,
and sent me to Sleep and sound asleep / re-
manned till the train stopped at Peterborough.
Only partly awake, remember letting down
erev on @ and ,na m S In tne
rtage; one fellow, just as we were starting,
thrust his head so far In that thought he was
going to make harlequin's leap tOrit DrowSily
congratulating myself on having had the door
locked. was dropping off TO sleep again when
u suddenly discovered l was not alone Who
was that seated in the opposite corner of the
carriage? A young lady, aSSuredly. The dim
S0ht from the lamp enabled me to discern that
& was in evening dress, with the hood OF her
- tcloak over her head. She appeared to be
q s fastening her earring into her left ear
DAf"How odd,"I thought, "that l should not
have seen her get in.' Here were my legs still
stretched across the seat with my rug over
them, and surely must have known II she had
passed me; and the door had certainly never
been opened. Very angry and puzzled, de-
termined to demonstrate with the guard at the
next station. What an odd costume, too, for
travelling, / thought; l couldn't make il out.
The young lady was very quiet and still. and,
as she appeared not to notice me. hardly
liked to begin any conversation so sat watch
ing her till sleep again overlook Inc.
All at once the slackening of speed and the
shrill, horrible, hollow danger whistle OF the
engine again disturbed my comfortable nap
and laziy looking out, found to my surprise
we were not stopping at any station, and that
outside nothing could be seen. A darkness that
might be felt was all that met the eye when
turned to the open window whilst the fresh
damp air announced that we were in the midst
of country, and the signing OF the night breeze
told OF woods not far off. Neither station lights
nor dwellings, were to be diScerned In the utter
gloom. A rurtiye glance across the carriage
showed the young lady still quietly sitting there
ndgeting with her earring, and not the least
alarmed at this interruption to our journey. l
called to the guard as he ran by the moment we
stopped, and, putting my head out OF the win
Adow, inquired what was the matter.
"NOthing, SIR" he said cheerily; mo danger;
only the lines blocked, and we are waiting till
they signal us to 60 on. / expect it's a goods
that's being shunted. tn be all right sir, In a
few minutes" ! then said, in a low tone,
what possessed you to place this young lady
In my carriage, when so especially enjoined
you to keep 1t empty?" Il never let anybody
young lady, do you say?n Springing on the
step as drew my head back, he looked into the
f Sariag s,a and exclaimed why there's no lady
turned, and imagine my cOnfusion-she was
gone! ''This passes my understanding" said L,
''for though III swear she was there before |
now; she must have got OUT I crossed to the
further door, and tried 1t; it was locked sure
enough. l let down the glass and looked out,
but Ia the darkness, of course, could see nc. IL
ing. "Why, you've been dreaming, SIR" said
the guard. as l, looking somewhat small. re-
Sumed my seat.
DOH ltll lllulSlillUy AMI us
gusted at the absurdlty OF the position: Pm
perfectly convinced that she was in The car
riage! Why, here is positive proof, | went on.
as ! perceived, and Immediately picked up,
gold earring from the floor between her seat
and mine. Amazement, mingled with doubt
and distrust. was plainly depicted on the
guarGs handsome , eountenance, as regarding
said. after minute. "Well sir, If you really be-
lieye you saw her, should advise your chang
ing your carriage"
"Why so2" / demanded, in surprise BE
cause it's well TO be on the safe side sir for I've
card something OF this kind before. Young
ladies are dangerous customers In trains some
times, SIR he added, with the twinkle coming
into his eye again. AS drew myself up some
what Indignantly he continued '.They say an
accident is almost certain to occur when an ap-
partition has been SEEM"
So opening the door, he began to collect my
bags and traps, while /, perplexed. and not
without some feeling OF alarm, alighted and
followed him hastily along the side or the line.
" You might have seen some ladies' and gentle
men, all dressed for party, get into the COM
Partment in froLt OF yours at Petersbor-
ough," resumed the man. as he Steered me by
the light OF his lantern over the rough ground;
land fine and merry they were; they were 60
Ing to ball at Grantham l fancy you must
have been dreaming, sir, for certainly none OF
them got into your carriage, though one did try;
and as TO apparition, well" He did not finish
the sentence, for just then we found an empty
compartment at the rear of the train. aud the
engines whistle at the same moment announ-
cling the line clear, with but few more words
was very soon again locked in and left to my
self.
Ny first act when the train was once more In
motion was TO examine carefully the earring
so unaccountably found. The shape struck Inc
as curious. 1t was wheel suspended from
birds claw, which turned when touched. Sure
~, as told the guard, this trinket was proof
that had not been deceived or dreaming; at
least this was not the apparition OF an earring,
at any rate. What could 1t mean? The more
thought OF 1t. the more / was perpleXed; and
finally put II away in my pOrtemOnnae; and,
with mind wearied with pulling over the
strange occurrence, at length fell asleep once
more-but not for long. Suddenly | was rude
ly awakened by terrific crash and shock
which threw me Violently forward, while the
carriage lurched over and nearly capsiZed.
/ knew at once an accident had happened
the accident half prophesied by the guard AS
soon as could collect my scattered senses and
found myself unhurt. / clambered out OF the
carriage and ran down the line to the front Of
the train, to ascertain the extent OF the cataS-
trophe. 1t was difficult to make ones way In
the darkness and confusion; but what were my
feelings or horror and amazement 1oined to
some light had been obtained from hastily
kindled bonfire, that the carriage / had pre-
yiously occupied was lying a complete wreck
knew II by its scolor and the number, which
had remarked, still visible on the battered
panel. Then learned that several passengers
In the other compartments OF 1t had suffered
1eariully, and was so overcome that felt
quite dizzy.
Here was wonderful and miraculous escape
indeed. All the events Of the last half-hour
rushed through my trOr-- ed brain. On that