Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-07-14
UNDER THE MIDNIGHT LAMP.

Tinsley's Magazine.

Tinsleys Magazine.
am doctor, II busy professional
man, whose time is money; whenever,
therefore can save it, do. Many
and many a night have l passed in the
train, counting the hours thus gained
as a miner does his gold. Upon this
point unfortunately, my little wife and
| do not agree; and it is | think, the
only point upon which we do not.
Eight hours in comfortless railroad
compartment, rolled up in your plaid
like II snake in your blanket, instead
of your comfortable sheets stretched
over comfortable spring
she can not be made to see the pro-
priety of the exchange, nor will she be-
lieve that sleep quite as well, if not
disturbed, in the plaid asin the sheets.
The train was just off as l sprang in,
and the shock Of the start landed me
on my seat. Being of a slow placid
nature was in no hurry to recover
from the shock, and we were fairly Oft,
speeding away as only an English ex-
press train can speed, before l looked
around. had rot the carriage to my
self; as had at first supposed; lady
occupied the further end and at the
first glance, spite of the dim light and
the fact of her veil being down, saw
that her eyes, unnaturally large and in
tense in their expression, were fixed
upon me. at all times prefer a car
riage to myself and ifa companion l
must have, let it be gentleman not a
lady; but there was no help forit. The
lady was there, and, moreover, she
was looking at me. $50 she may" said
to myself, as comfortable rs circum-
stances would allow Slowly and de-
liberately therefore, removed my hat,
substituting for it cloth cap, which |
drew well down over my ears, then l
FOLDED my arms and composed myself
to sleep. But in vain. The eyes of
my fellow passenger haunted me. |
saw them as distinctly rs if my own
were open. Was she Watching me still?
Involuntarily looked up and around,
and my look met II srs, full burning and
intense, with far more of meaning IN
them than could at all fathom. 1t
was getting decidedly uncomfortable.
Try MS l might, l could not keep my
ewes closed. Hers were on me, and
meet them | must,
In her attitude, too, rs well as in her
look, there was something strange and
mysterious. Huddled up in the corn
err, she seemed to be holding some
thing close pressed to her beneath the
long loose mourning cape, bending low
over it in a crouching posture. Once
or twice, her eyes fixed upon mine, |
saw her SILVER; but for that slight con-
sL tix-
still and mo ionless.
Was she coldp | offered her my
plaid, glad of an opportunity to break
the ominous silence. If she would but
speak. make some commonplace re-
mark, the spell might be broken.
81 am not cold.
A commonplace remark enough;
but the spell was not broken. The
mystery that lay in her eyes lay also
in her voice.
What should l try next? l looked at
my watch--1l:30; our train speeding
on at furious rate, no chance OF a
stoppage for some time to come, and
the dull, wide-open gaze of my notion
less companion not for one moment
removed from my face. 1t was UNI
pleaSallt, ceittiiiy. II i 'H''ii S'N -.
position, faced the window instead of
her, she must remove her eyes from
my face at last. But there was sort
of fascination about her and her look,
which | preferred meeting to Sinking,
knowing it was on me all the tine.
There was nothing for it then, but to
give up all hope of sleep and make the
best Of my position and compnion,
whom / now observed more slosely.
That she was lady there could be ht-
tie doubt; there was that in her dress
and appearance that was unmistakable.
That she was pretty, there could he lit
tie doubt either; those great dark IN
tensely dark eyes, the thick coils Of
warm FURNISHED hair, the small, pale
features, seen dimly beneath the veil;