Connecticut western news., 1881-06-01
THE Box TUNNEL.

AG OOA ! ONNGAs
 The 1O:15 train glided from Padding. ton May 7, 1S47. In the left compart- ment of @ frst-class carriage were four passengers of these, two were worth description. The lady wore an unpre- tending grayish dress, buttoned to the throat with lozenge shaped buttons, and a Scottish shawl that agreeably evaded color. She was like 8 duck, so tight her plain feathers fitted her, and there she sat, smooth, snug and delicious, with book in her hand and cou1ocon of her wrist just visible as she held it. Her opposite neighbor was cavalry officer, aged twenty-five. He was con- versing. in animated whisper with a companion, a fellow-officer they were talking about what it is far better not to-women. Our friend clearly did not wish to be overheard, for he cast ever and anon furtive glance at his fair wis wis and lowered his voice. She seemed completely absorbed in her book, and that reassured him. At last the two soldiers came down to whis- per (the truth must be told) the one who got down at Slough and was lost to posterity bet e10 to 93 that he who was going down with us to Bath and immortality would not kiss either of the ladies opposite Cn the road.
 After Slough the party was reduced to three; at Twilford one lady dropped her handkerchief; Captain Dolignan fell on it like @ lamb; two or three words were interchanged on this occasion. At Reading the Marlborough of our tale made one of the safe investments of that day, he bought Times and Punch, the latter full of steel-pen thrusts and wood cuts. Valor and beauty deigned to laugh at some infamed humbug or other punctured by Punch. Now laugh ing together thaws our human ice-at Swlndon who so devoted as Captaln Dolignan ?-he handed them out-he souped them-he tough chickened them he branded and cochinealed one, and he branded and urnt.sugared the other; on their return to the carriage one lady passed into the inner compart- ment to inspect certain gentleman's seat on that side of the line.
 Reader, had it been you or I, the beauty would have been the deserter, the average one would have stayed with us till all was blue; ourselves included not more surely does our slice of bread and butter, when it escapes from our hands, revolve it ever so often, alight face downward on the carpet. But this was bit of flop, Adonis, dragoon -so Venus remained in tete-a-tete with him. You have seen a dog meet an unknown one of his species, how hand some, how empresse, how expressive he becomes such was Dolignan after Swindon, and, to do the dog justice, he got handsomer and handsomer and you have seen cat conscious of ap- preaching cream-such was Miss Hay thorn she became demurrer and de- murer presently our captain looked out of the window and laughed this elicited an inquiring look from Miss Haythorn.
 "We are only mile from the Box Tunnel"
 "Do you always laugh mile from the Box Tunnel ?" said the lady.
 Invariably"
 "What for ?"
 "Why, hem it is a gentleman's $ joke"
 Captain Dolignan then recounted tc Miss Hay thorn the following:
 "A lady and her husband sat togeth- CT going through the Box Tunnel. There was one gentleman opposite. Ii was pitch dark. After the tunnel the lady said, George, how absurd of you to salute me going through the tunnel. T did no such thing You didn't !? No; why?' Because somehow, l thought you did ,"
 Here Captain Dolignan laughed and endeavored to lead his companion tt augh, but it was not to be done. The i train entered the tunnel.
 Miss Haythorn-Ah !
 | Dolignan--What is the matter
 Miss Haythorn-I am frightened.
 Dolignan moving to her side)-Pra. do not be alarmed; am near you.
 Miss Haythorn-You are near me very near me, indeed, Captain Dolignan
 Dolignan-You know my name
 Miss Haythorn-I heard you mention it. wish we were out of this darl place.
 Dolignan-I could be content t spend hours here, reassuring you, m dear lady.
 Miss Haythorn-Nonsense
 Doignan-Pweep! (Grave creatur do not put up your lips to the nez p,o4tu oro f,1ra uoU y,oaaf or voc, -.,: