McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-01-17
THE RED NECKTIE.

I, Jessie Sutton, had been spending a
year with my aunt in the west. AS
was to return home, sister-in-law CT
aunt's had suggested that cousin OF
hers, who was also going east, was jOl-
ly company splendid fellow, and just
the one for travelling companion. !
could travel to Chicago alone, and he
would meet me there, and then we
could complete the journey together.
So aunt had her sister-in-law write to
him, and it was all arranged. As had
never seen him, there was a spice OF
romance about the matter which suited
me exactly.
But as we were total strangers to
each other, how could he recognize me
or him among the thousands of peo-
pie in Chicago. My aunt, good woman,
instantly suggested the way. l must
wear a gray jacket and he red neck
tie.
. "Take care of yourself, my child,''
were auntie's last words.
Then as sank back on the seat, af-
ter waving my handkerchief in fare
well, it suddenly flashed upon me had
not heard the name, and for the life of
me [ could not remember it. Had l
ever heard it? asked myself. Yes it had
most certainly been mentioned in the
first letter, that was sure of; whether
again did not recollect.
could not help feeling somewhat
blank after this discovery, until the
laughable part of it struck me.
s'After all,"I said to myself, ssit is
only carrying out the romance of the
adventure. Besides, the grey jacket
and red tie are certain signs of recog-
milton, and no doubt he knows my
name"
At last it grew dark. Perhaps I had
exhausted my store of wonderings as to
what my unknown escort would be like,
or was tired of specializing about him;
certainly he did not occupy my thoughts
then. 1t was the past that stood SO
clearly before me, the old short-lived
romance of nearly eight years. Why
should it crop out them 1t had been
SO long past and buried. What had
coniured it into life again?
''Chicago!" Chicago!'' shouted the
brakemen, waking me up from the rev.
erie that had ended in an hours sleep.
1t was 9 o'clock. 1 had to wait an
hour for the train from the south. 1
ordered tea at the depot restaurant.
There were few occupants in the room.
and either the waiter had little to do or
I looked helpless and forlorn. He was
certainly polite and attentive; and
when he ventured upon saying, s'Leave
by the next train, miss?'' 1 cOnfided to
him the state of the case, and begged
him timidly, when the next train come
in, to look out for a gentleman wear
ing red tie.
My heart did begin to beat little fas-
ter as the time drew near. Would he
come or had he missed the train;
Should have to make that long jour
ney alone, after all? for now that I
was SO far should 90 on, of course.
What was he likeP
1 am afraid that however quiet and
staid my outward self may have been,
inwardly l felt like any 16-year-old
schoolgirl. Indeed 1 am ashamed to
say that 1 did walk across once or
twice to the mirror, giving pull here
to my hair and a twitch there to my
veil, and caught myself wishing had
put on a more becoming hat. l sup
pose even at % one likes to look ones
best at meeting stranger.
The bell announced the trains ap-I
proach, then heard the engines shrill
whistle, and the hustle and confusion
as the passengers alighted. The train
seemed very full. My polite waiter
had disappeared, seeking my red hectic
on the platform.
In few minetes 1 espied him at the
farthest door, and-yes, actually there.
was an individual in flaming red tie at
his side. The waiter was gesticulating
and talking most volubly, but his COM
panion was silent. L had only time to
see a tall, foreign-looki1g man before
they came up to where was standing.
'sThere he is, Miss" exclaimed the
waiter, eagerly; then turned on his
heel and left us. Exactly what I felt
that moment cannot describe. 1t was
q mixture of satisfaction that the
stranger had come, and very distinct
sort of timidity and uncomfortableness
together at the presence of that silent,
long bearded man.
/ glanced at him furtively, and re-
marked that it was very chilly.
"Yes," he assented, drawing up his
fur cloak closer about his throat, and
as if waiting for me to pro-
ceed.
"Surely he ought to say something"
thought l, 'if he were only to introduce
hi mself."
1 began to wish myself anywhere but
the re. / looked around 1--WE were still
sta nding in the doorway; the little
70 ON was empty. the large one much
les full.