St. Landry democrat., 1882-09-23


but he didn't seem to mind that. He
had a red, scowling face, with heavy red
eyebrows and bloodshot eyes. All the
rest of him was mass of railway rugs
and wraps. | had tumbled over his
toes into the middle seat opposite,
where sat scared and speechless. till |
caught the eyes of the lady next to him
fixed on me.
Ugh! such bad Old face. A tight,
cruel mouth. with all sorts of coil-lines
about it. and wicked, sharp gray eyes
that screwed into one like gimlets. l
didn't care much for Redface by this
time. didn't believe he Uould twist
my neck and chuck me out of the win
dow as he suggested; but 1 hated her
all over at once, from hcr sausage-curls
her hooked claws of fingers that were
twitching away at her knitting-needles,
in and out of a big, gray stocking.
Hush, sammy she said, quite
sweetly; "the poor child means no
harm. and he can easily get out at the
next station. Where are you gong to,
love?'
could only cape in reply, and she
must have thought | was softly, tor
she twisted my ticket clean out OF my
hand before knew what she was after.
"Mosslands. Very good That $
the next station. I'll see him safe out,
Sammy dear
Sammy growled an inarticulatc re-
Spouse from under his rugs.
The third passenger had neither
, -; In "a
same side as he other two, covered
with a big plaid rug, and a blue wooden
veil tied over her head. could make
nothing out except that she seemed
asleep in very uncomfortable attitude.
| sat in the middle opposite the old
woman. 1t was SO disagreeable, find
ing her sharp eyes on me while her
needles clicked on Just the same, that
thought might as we'll pretend to go
10 sleep, too. SO | curleu myself up,
and gave one or two mods. and then
dropped my face on my arm 50 that she
couldn see it.
Presently heard the needles going
slower and slower. | pecped. and sa"
the big bonnet and sausage curls giving
lurch forward and then backward
once. twice: then big snore: and the1
she was off, too.
| didn't stir for minute, for l saw
that Sammy was up to something
He leant forward. and peered at her a:
ii to make sure she was quite asleep
then caut ously CROPPED in the seat be
side her, and hauled up 4 little blact
bag. He opened it softly. drew out ;
silver-topped flask, and closed it jus
as a Jerk of the train reused tn
old lady. Sammy Owed back int
} his corner: and she sat }olt
upright. rubbed her eyes hard, felt sus
pi.iouslv about till she found the bag
slowed it away behind her, and resume,
her knitting. Only for few moment
though: with a weary grown she lie
:. stocking. needles and all 60 down will
run, and dropped back sounder aslee
than before.
Then from Sammy's corner came
: gurgle-so:t and low-many times re
peated. then all was quiet.
Now was my time. I began to loo
about and think what | should do first
) Whether dared get up on the seat an
see how the communication with IN
guard worked. and what would happe
If | pulled it. If the train did stop.
1 could make off, or say it was Sammy. IL
was half-t psv now, and people wouldn'
I believe him. First OF all went to tn
window to look out a little. 1t wa
I pitch dark outside. and all could Sc
l was the reflection of the carriage, an
4 of the lady in the blue WOODEN vel
: She was sitting up now. and looaln
{ intentlv at me. What an uncomtortabl
e set they were. to be sure
l looked around at her directly. Ssh
: was very young-younger than Lefty
and she's Just seventeen, and not prett
:: but so thin and frightened lookin
:. that felt quite unhappy about herr
L She fixed her big bright eyes on mt
and put up her finger. Don't speak
/; she said in clear whisper. =" Zee
looking out of the window. Can 20
: hear what am saving?'
:, nodded, and she went on, lookln
l now at me, and now at the old woman
!, ''If they get me to London, am
Il dead woman. You are my last chance
9 VIII you help me?''
= I nodded very hard. indeed, an
} looked at the communication with th
guard. She shook her head.
q mo, that's no good. l must g
+ away at the next station. He is SAT-
- Can you stop her from following me9
didn't believe could. might hay
:, thrown a rug over Sammy, and sat Q
>. him for a minute or two; but that Of
woman was too much for me. I fe
. that directly she woke she'd see what
7 was thinking of, and strangle me befol
o l could stir. The precious minutes wei
4 hying-the miles were hurrying past I
in the outside gloom-the girls b
woeful eyes were fixed on me in despe
n ate appeal. :,
- Il have friends who will save me if
v can but get to Them she painted. gu