Connecticut western news., 1881-09-21
UNDER THE MIDNIGHT LAMP.
Founded on Fact.

l am doctor, busy professional man, whose time is money; whenever, therefore, I can save it, I do. Many and many night have I passed in the train, counting the hours thus gained as miser does his gold. Upon this point, unfortunately, my little wife and do not agree; and it is, I think, the only point upon which we do not. Eight hours in 8 comfortless railway compartment. rolled up in your plaid like snake in its blanket, instead oi in your comfortable sheets, stretched over comfortable spring mattress-no, she cannot be made to see the propriety of the exchange, nor will she believe that sleep quite as we'll, if not dis. turbed, in the plaid as in the sheets.
 The train was just off as sprang in, and the shock of the start landed me ip my seat. Being of slow, placid na- ture, I was in no hurry to recover from the shock; and we were fairly off, speed ing away as only an English express can speed, before looked around. I had not the carriage to myself, as I 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, I saw that her eyes, unnaturally large and intense in their expression, were fixed upon me. I at all times prefer carriage to myself, and if companion must have, let it be gentleman, not lady; but there was no help for it; the lady was there, and, moreover, she was looking at me. "So she may" said to myself; "that shall not prevent my making myself as com fortable as circumstances will allow. '' Slowly and deliberately, therefore, re- moved my hat, substituting for it a cloth cap, which I drew we'll down over my ears; then I folded my arms and went to sleep. But in vain; the eyes of my fellow passenger haunted me; saw them as distinctly as if my own were open. Was she watching me still? In voluntarily l looked up and round, and my look met hers, full, burning, in tense, with far more of meaning in it than could at all fathom. It was get ing decidedly uncomfortable try as ] might, I could not keep my eyes closed; hers were on me and meet them must.
 In her attitude, too, as we'll as in he1 looks, there was something strange and mysterious. Huddled up in the corner, she seemed to be holding something close pressed to her, beneath the long loose mourning cape, bending low ovel it in crouching posture. Once ol twice, her eyes still fixed upon mine, saw her shiver; but for that slight con vulsive movement she sat perfectly stil and motionless.
 Was she cold? I offered her my plaid, glad of an opportunity to breal the ominous silence. If she would bu speak, make some commonplace remark the spell might be broken.
 I am not cold"
 A commonplace remark enough; bu the spell was not broken. The myster, that lay in her eyes lay also in he voice.
 What should try next? I looked a my watch-half past eleven. Our trai
 was speeding on at 8 furious rate, n chance of stoppage for some time t
 come, and the full wide open gaze (
 my motionless companion not for on
 moment removed from my face. It wa
 unpleasant certainly. If changed m
 position, faced the window instead (
 her, she must remove her eyes from m
 face at last. But there was sort (
 fascination about her and her look whic
 l preferred meeting to shirking, knov
 ing it was on me all the time.
 There was nothing for it, then, but 1
 give up all hope of sleep, and make u
 best of my position and companion
 whom l now observed more closel That she was lady there could be lit . doubt; there was that in her dress a1 ? appearance that was unmistakabl r That she was pretty there could be Ii 8 tie doubt either those great dark, i s tensely dark eyes, the thick coils warm, furnished hair, the small pa
 features, seen dimly beneath the vel e yes, she was young, pretty, lady al 8 in trouble. So far I got, but no flu ; ther. How came she to be travelil ]. alone at that time of night, and wi ,ss that look on her face? What could e be that she was holding pressed :. closely to her, and yet so carefully ke @ out of sight ? From the size and unct > tain outline I should have guessed it e be child but then there was not z slightest motion, nor could she have he r even sleeping infant long in that DO @ tion. I think that something of GU @ osity must have been betrayed in I '' look, for her own darkened and dee
 ened into a perfect agony of doubt a - fear.
 s, Ashamed, I withdrew my gaze ?, once, and drawing out my notebook v .e about to make memorandum, wh' 'A with sudden forward movement, $ fell at my feet, arresting my hand
 the agonized grasp of her own, b burning contact sending through m' P painful thrill.
 e "Don't betray me! Don't give Eb up to him O, don't! I am so frig
 ened."