Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-25

and we must tonight prepare everything
for the morrow"
It was over. On Christmas day she
sat in the centre of the middle Car of the
train-safest place in case of accidents.
The cold air had frozen the tears on her
cheeks; she looked through the blurred
window at the dark outline of the old
family carriage which Simon was driving
ND the lane homewards. and sent the
venerable occupants silent kiss pressed
against the unsympathetic glass. Dear
souls! they were talking OF her, and
already regretting having permitted her
to 60. 49, 49,. ;, -
said Aunt Keziah, with stifed sob, 'if
her brother fell into trouble, how will
she escape?"
'sShe has had much good counsel, and
she will heed it," said Adonijab.
So she had. It made her head dizzy
trying to remember it ALT was impos-
sible. She could never hope to retain
SO many wise admonitions; therefore, as
O. too heavily freighted ship will in stress
of weather part with her less valuable
cargo, and keep only such precious
goods as shall permit easy sailing. so
Lily, with her pocketbook containing all
her money and the address of her broth
er to guard, allowed all else to slip by
for the present, being convinced that
they were the essential treasures Of her
journey.
The train was full one; at every sta
ton new people came in, and at the sec
ond place from Greenville gentleman,
of excellent appearance and pleasing
manner. came in and found no vacant
place except the one beside Lily.
He wore a handsome sable-collar
round his overcoat; in Lily's startled eyes
it seemed like partial mask to his face,
and when, pointing to the seat, he bowed
his request to be allowed to share it,
she assented with start, and immedi-
ately placed her hand protectingly over
her coat-pocket where her money was.
She had merely turned her face once to-
wards the newcomer; that once, howev-
er. was sufficient to show him pure,
oval outline, eyes soft as velvet and love-
ly brown in color, straight nose, and a
mobile, red-lipped mouth-a little com
pressed and formal in its set--but sweet
as an opening bud in June;
Apparently the stranger was suscepti-
BILE to female loneliness; he threw off his
fur wrapping, adjusted his coat-collar,
and gave becoming touch to his hat.
He was young end good-loolling, and
seeme'l decidedly drawn toward the face
that had been quickly averted from his
view.
lily looked steadily out of the win
dow, and tried to think of her dear, but
unfortunate brother, VINO had left home
to enjoy brief holiday before choosing
q profession, and so soon fallen into LIES
''slippery ways"
'What pity it is that evil turks under
the most pleasing eXteriors," she said to
herself, with sigh, and then she took q
furtive peep out of the corner of her eye
at her handsome companion. which
caused her to sigh again.
Yes, he was very prepossessing, but it
was of just such as he that she had al
ways been told to beware. Evil delight
ed to put on an alluring gluse; but it
was TO entrap the unwary, and charm
ing, smiling exterior was 100 frequently
the mask Of the tempter.
These solemn warnings al required to
her mind faithfully, but somehow they
gave her no great pleasure.
cit is a PITY" she said, and looked
out on the wintry prospect, with fine
sharp snow sitting through the gray air
and the bare boughs shivering in
the wind.
The shawl that Aunt Keziah's thought
fitness had added to her niece's wrap
pings, slipped off her knee upon the
floor; the observant stranger quickly
stopped to lift it. Lily bent down also,
their faces nearly met, and both were
forced to smile.
81 beg your pardon!" said Lily, me-
chanically. Oh, how her face flushed
the minute after! She had been the
first to speak, and had actually addressed
herself to stranger!
81 am to apologize? l. an very awk-
ward, am sure!" cried the young man,
deliberately replacing the wrapping.
Lily recovered her self-possession,
bowed coldly, and again took refuge in
peerlng into the gloomy world.
Suddenly, without note OF prepare
ton, they shot into hugh dark tunnel.
The transition from day to night was SO
swift that Lily almost screamed, and, do
what she would to recover from the
shock, her heart kept beating SO that
she could scarcely breathe.
Hers was situation totally unlocked
for. Neither her aunt nor her uncle had
prepared her mind for this-alone in
the darkness, at the mercy of this de-
ceptive and willy stranger, who had, no
doubt, many subtle mechanical con-
trivances at command for extracting
pocket-books from the possession of
country victims!
Her breath came shorter; she fsncied
she already felt something touch her
pocket. She was no coward-no, she
would defeud herself-she would not
submit to lose her treasure those crisp
green notes of large denomination that
were to save Lionel, and put him straight
in the paths of rectitude once more.
The thought gave her courage; she
slipped her hand softly along the thick
beaver cloth, plunged it quickly into
the pocket and caught mans hand
firmly in her own! All! well, it was
done, and she had it in a strong tight
grip, from which, strange to say, it
made no effort to free itself; but,
though triumphant, no one could ever
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