The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-02-08

quaintance" walks lelsurely in, and is
allotted place at the same table. That
he is gentlemanly and unobtrusive she
is forced to admit before the meal
ends. Even Jane herself could hardly
cavil at his demeanor; he is polite; sim
ply that and nothing more. Neverthes
less she does not linger over the meal;
and at its close she hastily makes her
way to the gate, to be confronted by
an official whose brass is not limited to
the buttons on his uniform, and who
authoritatively demands to be shown
her ticket,
Poor, needless Kate! Of course she
has left it in her bag in the car. She
attempts an explanation to the guard,
who, on the whole, rather enjoys bully
ing pretty girl in her confusion, when
a quiet voice at her side requests that
the lady be permitted to pass, and offers
to be responsible for her ticket if need
be. The officer steps back obsequious-
ly, and Kitty passes on, timidly MUIR
muring her thanks. In her embarrass-
ment at this, her newest obligation to
the dreaded drummer. she steps aboard
the wrong car, and once again he quiz
city sets her right, with few deferen-
tial words waving all title to her graft
tude.
Jane is too great a pessimist anyway,
she reflects throughout that gloomy
afternoon, as the train is flying along
through smoky Pennsylvania towns, and
she makes a pretense of reading while
covertly watching the traveller, who is
stationed opposite Just a seat or two
ahead. He has met the porter, and the
enemy is his. Evidently he has trav-
eled before and knows his man. Miss
Kitty thinks; for after he has donned a
becoming traveling-cap, a word to the
attentive functionary and pillow for
his head is produced, against which he
leans in lazy, comfortable fashion and
reads leisurely-to all appearances, at
least. But in his secret heart he is
blessing the laws of natural philosophy,
and particularly the benetcent rules
that relate to the reflection from plane
mirrors; for from his easy position he
commands an unobstructed view of the
little girl who sits Just back of him;
and whose dark blue traveling-dress
and natty little hat of ultramarine fur
nish such an admirable setting for her
bright, clear complexion and heavy
brown braids.
At Pittsburgh she has sent telegram
to Edgar, and at Rochester the reply is
brought to her. As she reads her
brothers. message her blue eyes light
up with an expression of love and
pleasure that her neighbours mirror
faithfully reflects. From her hus-
bandn' he thinks. with great wave of
bitterness at the good luck that some
fellows always enjoy. And then for
awhile he reads on violently and tries
to forget.
The train flies on and on. In an hour.
the conductor tells them, they will
reach the famous Horseshoe Bend.
Outside cherries, slanting rain is fall
ing steadily. Within some among the
passengers are asleep; others are still
reading industriously. Several of the
gentleman have in table and inaugu-
rate game of cards. Kitty's acquaint-
ance is asked to Join them, and con-
sents with readiness; and soon a right
merry game is in progress.
They pass the bend, and those who
are awake. pay it the regular quantum
of admiration, And just at dusk they
reach Altoona and supper.
Just here the conductor, who, after
the first gruffness, has manifested a
flattering interest in Kitty, comes to
her with the intelligence that as GER
tain of the passengers are to leave at
this station she can have lower berth,
since she persists in giving up her own
number to the lady with the sick baby.
This is gratifying to our little lady, who
has secretly dreaded second night up
aloft. b ut conductors propose and fate
disposes.
An Erie train leaves the station just
as their train enters; and through some
confusion of signals a number of the
Erie passengers let their train depart
unnoticed, and are forced to seek ref
uge on board the sleeper which carries
our two friends. There are six or eight
persons in the group, and their annoy
ing mishap eNcites much commiseration
among the passengers. Numerous tel
egrams are sent on to Philadelphia to
quiet the anxiety of friends on the train
ahead. Berths are kindly offered them;
and by the time the train is fairly under
vav they are completely at home and
as comfortable as their Impotence will
admit.
On, on they rush through the dark
ness of the stormy night. The porter
goes his rounds, the berths are quietly
arranged, and one by one the sleepy
passengers disappear behind the friend
ly curtains. Kitty, who is not a bit
sleepy, and is in deep converse with a
Boston artistic who has numerous novel
and esthetic views to unfold, retireS
with her companion to the rear seat
and talks art with the pretty enthusiasm
of an amateur who paints plaques and
works South Kensington. 1t is ten o'clock
before the conference ends; and unsus-
pecting Katherine makes her way down
the aisle between the flu;tering green
curtains to section 4, the number that
the conductor has promised her early
in the evening. Warned by past mis-
takes she carefully searches for the
proper number; and, having found it,
parts The curtains carefully and deliber-
ately to see-what? pair of laughing,
dark eyes; hand thrust forth to seize
the parted curtains; the fash of a ia
maliar diamond ring! and in confusion
and terror Kitty Warner retreats hasti-
ly to confer with the porter, and to
bride that worthy. into making a full
explanation of the cause of her blunder
to the disturbed dreamer in section 4.
An upper berth is found for her pres
entity and heavenward she mounts, her
blue eyes suffused with tears. and her
cheeks burning with shame at the
thought of her last and most disgrace
full encounter with this man, who has
been the bugbear of her whole journey.
81 hafa hir,i dofii che oxn1a ms