Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-29

larity of feature, and. gazing at it, Mr..
Linton utterly forgot the awkwardness
of his position. But he was speedily
recalled to himself by the shrill whistle
and slackening of speed of the train as
il neared Broad street. One or two re-
marks, with which the other lady had
favored him, he had allowed to pass en-
tirely unheeded, and this only added
fuel to her wrath. Scarcely had the
train stopped, than she flung open tho
door.
"Guard, l say, guard"
The wondering official appeared close
ut hand.
"Here, guard" she continued, en-
boldened now by sense of security,
and, stepping on the platform, she mo-
toned toward the carriage with the air
OF tragedy queen. "I give that man
into custody"
By this time Miss Ethel had joined
her excited relative, and Mr.. Linton.
now the sole occupant of the compart-
ment, in his turn, apperaed at the door.
As he emerged, the guard discreetly
stepped back pace or two. He was not
wanting in courage, but he had a wife
and family at home, and the long blue
blade in the passengers hand had an
ominous look. But he recovered him
self in a moment and beckoned to a col
league.
Here, Bobl And what's the charge,
mum - he went on, turning to the lady,
while, much to Mr.. Linton's annoyance
and disgust, little crowd slowly gath
cred round.
Eyes. num-" repeated the guard.
Whats the charger
But the lady was somewhat nonplussed
at the question, and Miss l. hel seized
the opportunity.
"Our name is Gray. This lady is my
aunt, and she has been alarmed by this
this gentleman Mr.. Linton bowed
49, " carrying an unsheathed sword.
blade"
"Ah," said the official, rehectively;
then, as having made up his mind,
'name and address, sir, please"
Mr.. Linton gave them readily enough,
and his explanation with them. He
had bought the cane only that evening,
and had not noticed with sufficient &C.
curacy the position of the spring which
held together handle and stick. In
stepping hastily into the carriage he
had struck the cane in some way. The
blow, he supposed, had loosened the
spring, the sheath had fallen off, and he
had hitherto been unable to replace il.
For the annoyance aud alarm which he
had inadvertently caused, he begged to
apologize. As ho spoke, he once more
endeayored to replace the offending
weapon, and, as If in mockery Of his
former futile efforts, sheath aud blade
slid smoothly into their respective posi-
tions, there was a sharp click, the bright
steel vanished, and light handy cane
alone was visible.
The guard and his colleagr Aooked
at each other.
"You see how it is, num-" said the
former to the still irate old lady. "You
see how it is, all q mistake"
Don't tell me, man all mistake,
indeed" she retorted. "Is he to be al
lowed to go at large, and alarm respect.
able people by carrying dreadful thing
like that about?"
"Well, num-" said the guard, imper-
turbably, call I can say is, what do you
charge him with p
1.-The old ladys been scared about
nothin'," said one bystander, while an
other opined that the gentleman was "a
hactor, and 'ad been goin' through is
part"
But the official now lost patience, and
saying to his colleague, "Come on,
Bob, we've no time to stand here
foolin'," went off to his van. heedless
of Mrs. Gray's threats to report him to
the company.
The little group round them, seeingn no
further prospect Of amusement, slowly
melted away and left Mr. Linton alone
with the ladies. He would have recon-
menced his explanation and apol-
ogies, but Mrs. Gray cut him short by
demanding, in icy tones, to be favored
once more with his name and address.
These given, she vouchsafed no further
word, but sailed maiestically away,
Miss Ethel dutifully following.
Mr.. Linton's glance pursued the
graceful form till it disappeared down
the steps; then recollecting himself. he
hurriedly took the same direction. But