Middletown transcript., 1881-09-16

I
lying complete wreck | knew it by
it's color and the number, which l had
remarked, still visible on the battered
panel. Then l learned that several
passengers in the other compartments
of it had suffered fearfully, and l was
so overcome that I felt quite dizzy.
So much my friend told me, and
when he had concluded asked him to
wait moment while went to my
home. When Ireturned handed him
an earring, and asked him to compare
it with the one he had foundso strangely.
AS he did so, he exclaimed excitedly:
g Yes /; there they are, clearly the
pair-two birds claws, each holding a
revolving wheel. " Now, look at the
portrait, y said, handing him the pic
ture of an old sweetheart of his, when
he stood for minute regarding it with
blank amazement. 6 | don't say that
you will, because it is mere speculation,
but do you not see in the portrait of
Miss Naughton something to remind
you of the young lady, your mysterious
travelling companion ?" He is exam
lining the photograph again. 6 Well,
it is very absurd, but really, now you
put it to me, there might be something
Of the same look in it, and" He
ponders. Was it she, then-Rose-
after all, that I, in measure, was re-
minded Of that night ? On my honor
/ seem to think it must have been."
Then turning to me, he asked: ''But
what is the meaning of all this ? Why
do You want to know whether | can
see any resemblance in this photograph
to that girl, and where, above all, did
you get this other earring from Ex-
plain yourself, for Gods sake -
Because, as l say" 1 replied, " it
seems to me just possible, that, if there
be such thing as ghostly influence, or
spiritualism, or clairvoyance, OF what
ever one may chose to call such myster-
ies-because, l say, if such things
exist, you may have received the warm
ing to leave your seat as you did through
the mysterious influence of Miss
Naughton herself, for she was in that
railway train that same night, and
those earrings belong to her." Again
the wonder in his face would have
been amusing had it not been mingled
with an expression of pain. Incred-
ible, preposterous ~ he said at length.
F." You say that Miss Naughton is a
friend of your wife's ?''
Yes and will explain how l came
upon the fact forthwith. Yesterday, as
my wife was dressing, she asked me to
fetch her brooch from the drawer in her
dressing case. On opening it, the first
thing that caught my eye, ,amongstalotof |
little trinkets, was that earring. The
device was not easily to be forgotten.
She told me how the earring had be-
longed to a school-fellow of hers, Rose
Naughton by name, who had lately
gone abroad and how, two years ago,
she had been in a fearful railway acci-
dent one evening, while on her way
from Peterboro to ball at Grantham
how two of her party had been killed
while sitting beside her how she es-
capped by a simple miracle, uninjured
and how, amongst the trifing events
connected with the terrible circum-
stance, she had lost one of her ear
rings-one of a pair that had been
given to her that night by a man to
whom she was engaged, and who him
self was killed.
My friends face, with strange per-
versity, seemed for moment to lose
it's panied expression as I uttered these
last words. resumed: When Miss
Naughton went abroad she gave my
wife her photograph, and, amongst
other souvenirs, that odd earring for
it appears the tragical accident brought
about one good result for her-it cut
short an engagement entirely distaste-
full to her, and into which she had
been forced-well, I didn't hear ex-
aetly how at any rate she never loved
the man-disliked him, in fact, my
wife says, and she had no compunction
about giving the earring to my wife,
who was struck with the device. You
will readily understand how this story
instantly associated itself with you in
my mind. A comparison of dates and
other circumstances left no doubt. l
was bound to tell you and hope, my
dear fellow, you will acquit me now of
an idle intrusion upon your affairs. y
My friend full Of amazement, held out
his hand, and, shaking mine warmly,
evinced more feeling than had ever
given him credit for.
"Of course, of course, old man," he
said. 81 know you didn't mean any
thing; only was taken by surprise,
as well 1 might be, for 1 was tremen-
dously fond of Rose Naughton once
am so still, for the matter of that and
the sight of her face rather took me
aback. We were half engaged once,
only her old mother broke it off, and I
was angry and hasty, and-and drop
ped them, and have been sorry ever
since; and then [ was too proud, and,
in short, have made an ass of myself.
Do you know where she is now? Do
you know where she has gone ?''
No; but can find out"
Il wish you would for, after all
you tell me, 1 have strong inclination
to followw her and try my luck again
try If fortune will turn her wheel for
my benefit" +"
Most certainly do SO; you would