The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-11
Through The Tunnel.

1t was bright clear cold morning IN
early December. When Kai1hie entered
the car there was scarcely vacant seat to
be seen. To be sure there was one stout
old gentleman sitting alone, but he was
next to the aisle and seemed 80 deeply ab-
sorbed IN thought that Kathie disiked to
disturb him. Then there was mld,lle-
aged woman, but she had numberless wraps
and parcels in the seat beside her, and her
appearance, take her all in all, was SO for
bidding as she looked fpedly out of the
window, that Kathie passed her by. There
was but one more seat unoccupied. 1t was
beside u gentleman who sat close to tho
window reading paper.
''Is this seat engaged2" asked Kathie
with timid hesitancy.
''lt is not" was the answer In pleasant
tone; "but," springing up as he spoke,
would you prefer tho scat by tho win
dow2"
ooh, no! Thank you'll Not at ALI"
murmurcd Kathie; and she sat down beside
him.
Tho gentleman turned his attention Again
to his paper, and Kathie Immediately fell
to wish ng that she had taken the seat by
the window. For the gentleman sat at her
right hand, and her purse was in her cloak
pocket, and had not Aunt Kate warned her
over and over again to be on her guard
against pickpockets, and had declared that
they were quite as likely to BIZ young,
agreeable and polite as the rcvcrso2 And
was not this person oil thrco7 Kathic stole
a shy glance at him. His dark eyes were
intently fixed on his newspaper. He was
fine looking and well dressed, and to oil in
tents quite oblivious of her existence
Kathie wondered demurcly what sort of an
expression his face would wear If he knew
that any one thought that he might perhaps
be pickpockct.
She might take her purse and hold 1t In
her hand, but that would seem ostentatious
and tircsome, moreover there would he
ample time for that when the gentleman
he looked like gentleman certainly should
put down his paper and Kathie could no
longer watch his hands, %&| {
Then Kathie's thoughts slipped into a
moro agreeable channel. She thought of
tho Christmas gifts she was going to buy
and OF the other shopping she was going to
DO 1t was her first trip to Boston quite
alone. Aunt Kate had always been with
her before, to take care Of her and help her
to select Christmas gifts, bnt this year Aunt
hate's rheumatism was SO much worse than
usual that she did not hope to Le equal to
a trip to Boston for the winter; and as 1t
was already nearing Christmas, ere was
nmhing to be done but to let Kathic 20
alone. And 80 it came about that Kathie,
feeling quite old and responsible, was on
her way, this bright December morning, to
the city. She mentally planned her days
work, and portioned out her money for tho
various things she was intending to buy.
1,xo1 e..
teacher, the shell comb for Aunt Kate, the
especially fine and nicely framed, since 1t
was to do double duty as Christmas and
wedding gift, Should it be a copy of some
celebrated old picture, or some attractive
group, full Of modern life and INTEREST,"
While Kathie was trying to decide this
question, and was reviewing with her minds
eyes, all the finest and most beautiful en-
cravings that she had ever seen the train
swept into the tunnel. ~
AS it grew dark the gentleman beside her
put down his paper, turning slightly.to-
wards Kathie as he did So And then
Kathie was sure she felt stcalthly motion
towards her cloak pocket. Quick as thought
her hand went down to seize her purse,
when-oh, horrors ;-there was the mans
hand In her pocket Kathie did not with
draw her hand; on the contrary, being re-
solved to protect her property at all hazards,
she felt about with her fingers as well as
she could for her purse, but could not find
~ 1t. 1t was already gone. Then Kathle
seized the intrudng hand with the flrmness
Of desperation, fully determined to make
an alarm as soon as the cars emerged into
daylight again. If he did not have the
purse In his hand, there at least was his
hand In her pocket, and some of the pas.
sengers would see her righted and her purse
restored. Fortunately her purse had her
name printed on the inside. How long
the minutes seemed before the train came
out into lighti Then Kathie still grasping
firmly the mans hand, looked Up and down
tile aisle, with sparkling eyes and flushed
check, for the conductor.
IL beg your'pardon," said her captive in
low tone that Kathie could scarcely catch
the words, bnt hare you not made a
mistake IN the pocket ~ '''s' y
Kath Q gave ono swift glance. Good
heavensl Her hand was in his pocketI
II she had touched burning coal she could
not have relnqulshed her hold and with.
drawn her hand moro promptly. She was
overcome with confusion. She ventured
ono deprecatory glance at the gentleman.
His expressive face wore mischieyous
smile.
Il thoug-''began Kathie tremulously
but she could get no further. Tho revul-
sion Of feeling was too great. The bright
ness OF her eyes was suddenly qpenched by
gathering tears, and her lip quivered omin-
Ously. ia.
'vrhat IL was your pocket, iofs courss,'
said the gentleman, completing her zen.
teneS. ~ understand perfectly. Pray do