The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-22
RAILROAD JOURNEY.
iExchange.I


 urgent family matters necessitated my im- mediate presence in Ireland.
 '" shall have to start by the S:25 from Euston tonight" remarked to a cler- ical friend who had just dropped in to welcome me back to London.
 "l'll come and see you of" he replied promptly. But it is too bad to lose you so soon after your return"
 "i don't suppose l shall be very long in Ireland" 1 remarked, again reading over the letter Tn my hand. Although 1 might stay, and go and hear some of those trials that are coming on soon."
 had so much to see to during the few hours at my disposal that Mir. Chasuble soon took his departure, promising to i call for me in time for the Irish mail. waited until the las, minute, bu, he did not put in an appearance. Finally, not a little piqued at being so treated, wen, of, like the independent woman l am, and soon myself and my travelling imped- lments were comfortably ensoonced in a seoond-class carriage at Huston. had the compartment all to myself, upon which congratulated nay lucky stars, as l i had observed that the three or four other second-class carriages were pretty fully occupied. Looking at my watch l found that il yet wanted eight minutes to the time of starting. and 1 decided to walk up the platform and give a look for my fai,hless friend.
 Sure enough, there he was, hurrying down the platform. He was profuse in his apologies. forgot what they were, but i believe l considered his excuses valid and forgave his breach of faith.
 Going the whole way, miss inquired a guardTapproaching us and touching his caps. ...4.4
 Yes replied "I am going over by the Holyhead mail to Dublin"
 "Thank you, miss" and he walked away.
 "l am so glad, Mir. Chasuhle," said. that have got a compartment all to myself, as l like to take of my hat. tie my head in a shawl, and lie down and make myself comfortable"
 Quite so," he assented. .'I sec them putting in the foot warmers don't you think you had better take your seatT
 He was looking Into the carriages as he was speaking. and passed the one in which my rugs and shawls were de- posted.
 Which is your carriage :" he asked, peering into each one. :. They seem to be more or less occupied"
 This is mine," replied, indicating the carriage he had just passed. What a nuisance 1 added, in an undertone There is some man in the far corner he has come in since got out.o
 Two minutes more and the train steamed slowly ort of the station. NIT. Chasuble walked by the side of the cai- riage, and kept chatting him out of the window, until at last he could come no farther. drew up the window, drew down the blinds, and seated myself near the lamp, in order 10 improve my mind by the perusal of the last number of London Soti<fy, and scarcely glanced a, my travelling companion. Presently, there is no use of denying it. began to feel very hungry. The mental pabulum had not refreshed me physic- ally, and longed to attack the sand wiohes with which l had been careful to provide myself.
 laid down the paper, retreated into my corner. and l looked at my compan- ion. was in the corner of the opposite seat, at the far end of the compartment. Suddenly 1t struck me there was some thing odd in the way in which he was wrapped up on the seat. He was evi dently tall, powerful man--l could see that plainly. He sat with his back on a line with the door, and his legs stretched out on the seat. noticed that he wore a1all hat, rather slouched over his fore head, Ia a certain noble marquis on the ministerial benches when he is meditat- ing an attack upon the Irish unconvinca- bl.s. He wore heavy dark overcoat, inside of which was folded white, soft, warm-looking cashmere handkerchief: his hands were teneath the we'll tucked-in warm rugs with which he was enveloped from his waist to his feet, and his eyes were closed. congratulated myself upon the latter fact and furtively opened my paper of sandwiches.
 My companion apparently slept on soundly he never moved muscle. He might have been a wax figure of good looking man of abou: 10, with short brown beard and slight moustache. My impression is that l am somewha, of a romantic nature-at least my friends call IL romantic. my enemies hysterical-and l could not avoid giving rein to my inn agination, and thinking there was some thing uncanny in the way in which this wax oi wooden man sat there for two mortal hours and made no movement. Not even the taintest flicker of an eyelid demonstrated whether he were alive or dead.
 All this time l had not laid down. had been dipping into the magazines at intervals, but, feeling tired, proceeded to take of my hat. tie a little woolen shawl around my kead, and then settled myself on the seat in very much the same position as my motionless fellow-traveler. There sat, looking at him. was almost fascinated by him. began to think of all the horrible crimes had ever heard of in connection with railroad travelling, and wondered if this man was only pretending to be asleep, and then when was of my guard he would sud denly rob me. and perhaps murder me.