Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-09-29
" THAT SWORD-C CANE" "
"Confound the thing p said Mr.. Lin

"Confound the thing y said MIR. LIN
ton.
The hour was 9. p. NJ, the place was
the Dalston station of the North London
railway. and in compartment OF q
second-class carriage Mr.. Linton sat
alone.
"Confound the thingl" he repeated,
glancing nervously toward the door.
"One comfort, this is a through train,
and il no one gets in here shall be
safe till we reach Broad street" and as
he spoke he made an effort, but an IN
effectual one, to replace in its sheath
the long steel blade of sword-cane.
"Ah, we're starting" he muttered,
with sigh of relief, and was just about
to place the cause of his annoyance
quietly in corner, when there came q
sharp voice
"Step in, please"
The doc. opened hastily, then shut,
the whistle sounded, and the train
moved on. Mr.. Linton clutched his
cane, and looked iurtively at the new
comers. They were two ladies-one
stout and elderly, the other evidently
quite young. AS they scarcely glanced
at him, but entered at once into earnest
conversation, he thought he might pos
sibly be able to overcome his difficulty
unperceived. He was unwilling to
leave his cane behind him at the end OF
the journey; but the prospect OF step
ping on the platform at Broad street
with two feet of steel in his hand was
one from which he recoiled, being
nervous man.
So, becoming desperate, he renewed
his attempt; but the carriage at the
moment gave q sudden jerk, and the
stick fell with q ciatter to the floor,
leaving him firmly grasping the long,
blue blade, glittering wickedly in the
lamplight. His fellow-passengersstarted
and looked round.
MERCY on us, what's that p ex-
claimed the elder lady.
But, as she looked more intently at
their travelling companion, she rose hur-
riedly.
"Why what we shall be robbed
and murdered. Here, guard guard !"
But the noise of the train drowned
ber voice.
"My dear madam, began Mr.. Linton,
as suavely as possible, forgetting, in
his anxiety to explain, that he wOs bran
dishing the sword. blade in manner
which, though no doubt graceful, was
to an entire stranger somewhat threat
eninR. "My dear madam, assure
you"
Keep of, sir, keep off" CALCULATED
the lady, in tone half-terrified, half
defiant.
But here her young companion inter
posed. She had maintained her COM
posure, though, as her eyes fell upon
the weapon, she had grown shade
paler.
"Perhaps, aunt, we are mistaken.
This gentleman
Gentleman, indeed" returned her
relative, excitedly; ga pretty gentle
man to he in public carriage with 4
thing like that in his hand. Don't tell
me, Ethel"
In the interim Mr.. Linton, thinking
IL best to remain quiet, and trust to the
storm blowing over, had picked mp the
sheath of the offending weapon, and
once more endeayored to readiust il,
but in vain. II fitted in only one way,
and could not be sheathed except by
pressure upon concealed spring, the
position Of which he had for the mo-
ment forgotten.
Finding that he remained silent, and
uttered no threats of robbery or muir
der, tho elder lady began to regain her
courage, and By one Of those rapid
Transitions not unusual in the feminine
mind, now became as indignant rs be-
fore she had been alarmed, and with as
much reason.
"Pll give you In charge, sir, as soon as
we reach Broad street." she continued.
"Apretty state of things, indeed"
"But, aunt" repeated her niece,
"don't you see it's only sword-cnne the
gentleman has. Jack has one something
like It,"
Mr. Linton looked at the fair speaker,
and met the glance Of - bewitcbing n
pair Of eyes as ever led pocs, helpless
man a captive.
There was : slight smile on Miss
EthePs rosy lips, half saucy, half de-