The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-04-17
THE GHOST OF A CHANCE.
1 frange story.

THE whole affair sounds like the Wild
est romance. Granted. 1t is not for me
to 60 into the question of its probability;
simply record certain facts which have
come under my notice.
Here is a young fellow, like scores of
Others, with just enough property to live
on and to deprive him of the spur to ex-
ertion. A barrister, quite briefless, dab
bling in art, literature and music, and
doing nothing with either. Among 9TH
er tastes he has one for quaint jewelry-
not for his own adornment, but he col
lects it and possesses many curious spec
linens, ancient and modern. / know him
very well, and he has often shown me
these treasures. One day | call on him
after long vacation, and find him throw
ing off slip after slip of manuscript.
I" Excuse me five minutes" he says,
and l shall have finished. l have made
a wonderful addition, to my collection,
and in the oldest manner. | am writing
a story about it, d-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 yourself he goes on, gathering up
his manuscript, how it came about,
and you will understand why am rather
excited at recalling this, the narrow es-
cape and the strangest adventure l ever
had in my life" Then, lighting cigar,
and giving me another, he settles me in
an easy chair by the fire, and begins
pacing the room, while read as fol-
lows:
left Kings Cross by the night mail
ON the 10th of last August | was out
of health, tired, and wanted to sleep; so,
settling my traps on the seat to my salts
faction, suddenly remembered that /
had nothing to read, and l 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 l gave him the money,
he said, "Now we're off in one minute,
sir; hope you'll like my choice" Leis-
urely turning over the leaves by the
light of the carriage lamp, very soon
found that the work my friend had Sc
lected was utterly distasteful to me, and
l regretted having wasted my money
upon it. 1t was story, as most people
know, treating of spiritual influences, a
subject on which was thoroughly skep-
teal soon got tired of it, but it served
its purpose, and sent me to sleep, and
sound asleep | remained till the train
stopped at Peterborough.
Only partly awake, remember letting
down the window, and that several per-
sons in the crowd on the platform tried
to get into the carriage; one fellow, Just
as we were starting, thrust his head so
far in that thought he was going to
make harlequin's leap for it. Drowsily
congratulating myself on having had the
door locked, | was dropping off to sleep
again when | suddenly discovered I was
not alone. Who was that seated in the
opposite corner of the carriage? A young
lady, assuredly. The dim light from the
lamp enabled me to discern that she was
in evening dress, with the hood of her
opera cloak over her head. She ap-
peared to be busy fastening her earring
into her left ear.
"How odd, thought, "that 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 if she passed me; and
Very angry and puzzled, | determined
to demonstrate with the guard at the
next station. What an odd costume,
too, for travelling, l thought; couldn't
make it 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 watching her till
sleep again overlook me.
All at once the slackening of speed and
the shrill, horrible, hollow danger whistle
of the engine again disturbed my COM
Portable nap, and, lazily looking out, l
found to my surprise we were not stop
ping at any station, and that outside moth
ing could be seen. A darkness that
might be felt was all that met the eye
when turning to the open window, whilst
the fresh, damp air announced that we
were in the midst of the 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 ftlrtive glance across
the carriage showed the young lady still
quietly sitting there fidgeting with her
earring, and not the least alarmed
this interruption to our journey. called
to the guard as he ran by the moment
we stopped, and, putting my head out
of the window, inquired what was the
matter.
Nothing, sir" he said, cheerily;
"no danger; only the lines blocked,
and we are waiting till they signal us to
go on. / expect it's a goods that's being
shunted. It'll be all right, sir, in few
minutes" | then said, in low tone,