The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-01-26

seem complete: "Why did I throw the
things out?" faltered Mr.. Gloam, speak
ing to himself; and then he groaned
again: "My God, what shall do?"
1t was between bennington and Bir-
mingham that the girl had fallen out of
the train. As the express neared Biz
mingham the tension on Jude Gloam' s
perience. Within five minutes he en-.
dured an amount Of terror and anguish
enough to spread over a lifetime; yet he
had the craft to see that all his chances
of escaping unsupported might depend
upon his behavior when the trai 4
stopped. He must alight quite coolly /:
he must not run or appear anxious to
get away; he must control his terrors,
though his heart throbbed to bursting.
The train glided into the station; the
porters ran along the platform opening
doors one of them opened Mr.. Gloam's
carriage. ''Any luggage, sir?"
"Yes, I have some luggage" said Mr..
Gloam and he stepped, shaking in every
limb, but apparently sedate and calm, as
it behooves a clergyman to be. Next
moment he was mixed up with the
throng of people who we're foraging for
their trunks and portmanteau.
Nobody paid any attention to him. He
heard no one talk about shrieks having
been heard during the journey. The
passengers all attended to their own
business and left him to his. Mr.. Gloam's
business was to collect portmanteau, a
box and hamper; having done this, he
turned to ask porter to call cab for
him. but as he was about to speak his
words froze on his tongue, for he saw
standing beside him a girl who was the
very image of Miss Aviss.
If the girl had looked at him she must
have noticed his confusion, but she
was glanciug toward an elderly gentle
man and lady who were walking toward
her.
"Here's her box, papa, but I've not
seen her pass" said the girl to the elderly
couple.
1--WE have looked into every carriage"
said the gentleman addressed as papa;
"but she hain't come. l suppose she
missed the train"
"How very provoking" exclaimed the
girl.
"I dare say we shall find telegram
when We get home, said the elderly gen
tleman; "but we must ask the station
master to take care of Mary's box until
she comes to CLAIM, it.
Mr.. Gloam had glanced at the box be-
side which the girl stood, and he saw on
il a card with the name Miss Mary Aviss.
The miserable man shrank as the father,
mother and sister of tho poor girl with
whom he had travelled passed him. Then
he helped the porter to lift his portman-
teau and walked with him to u cab. He
had six-mile drive before he could
reach his parish of Rorleigh, which was
on the outskirts of Birmingham. How
ever, the drive was accomplished in
safety, and that night was spent by Mr..
Gloam, sleepless, in his new parsonage.
The body of Miss Aviss was found dead
on the line early on the following day,
and afterward her travelling bag was dis
covered twenty miles further down the
line. But for this discovery of the bag
the poor girls death would have been
attributed to accident; as it was, when it
became demonstrated that somebody
must have had q share in her death, no.
body accused the Rev. Jude Gloam; nor
was anybody else accused. The porter
who had put Mr.. Gloam into the carriage
8l OxlOTu uuu uOJ uouiccu tuno euOAC WIS
a young lady in the compartment, and
simply owing to this slight fact OF non
observance the story of Mary Avisss
death was always fated to remain mys-
terry.
It became known in time, however, to
one man to whom Mr.. Gloam communi-
Gated the facts in writing some five years
after they had happened. He, the rector
of Rorleigh, ended his letter by saying:
81 have lived in purgatory of remorse
and sorrow ever since that awful night,
and am thankful to think shall soon be
rid of my load" He was dying when he
wrote this. of q decline, brought on by
overwork in his parish; and he left be-
hind him the reputation of being the
most earnest. jealous. kindest and also
the saddest rector whom the people of
N ~. 4.