Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-10-03

with her sad and ladr-llke smile
as | left her. | was nightly ut
tered. for she had got my name off the
card.
Old Ro>cbury. my stout double chin
ner, had settled himself for nap when
the train started: but after awhile he
beStlrrrd himself to get up a little game
of cards To while away the time.
introduced old RoSebury to Mrs.
Wyn, which he had been itching for.
and he bowed exceedingly well, consider
ing that the train was rounding the
curve at a good rate just then, and he
was never built for the business. He
asked her in his polite way To join us in
four-handed game Of euchre, but she
thanked him and haughtily declined.
RAILROAD restaurants come next to
ear winders fer gettin' good holt on
new acquaintance. don't they" said
Davis. the pop-eyed old fellow, giving a
wink to Rosebury.
They'll do" returned the double
chinner, with II chuckle; they'll do.
But they don't have all the modern ad-
vantagcS. You don't get the chance IL
lean over so far"
like the twenty minutes for dinner, ex-
cept that old Rosebury and the pop-eyed
Davis put their heads together to cut
me out with the lady. Rosebury was to
take Mrs Wyn to supper, on the
strength of my introduction. and
Davis was going to help him
for the laugh he would have on me-
They would have come off with
flying colors, too, if had not ''nipptd
him in the bud by asking her for the
pleasure of her company, etc, before
Davis took me down to the other end of
the car TO get up a good joke on Rose
bury and bribe the night porter to carry
it odt. kept one eye pointed down the
aisle all the time Davis was unfolding his
scheme, and when | saw Rosebury put
on his best dancing master airs and bow
like Frrnchman as the train began to
slow up. was chuckling inwardiy in
high humor. Of course, it was loves
labor lost with him, and he drew down
the corners of his mouth and whispered,
You'll do" as passed him in the aisle.
Late next afternoon the train drew
into the big station at New York.
had learned that Mrs. Wyn was 60
ing on to Boston, and am proud to say
that had her card and address, with
an invitation to call, in my pocket al
ready. SO was ready to do her a last
service by seeing herself and her baggage
transferred to the Boston train, which
was to start some time that evening AS
our train drew into the station, therefore,
with all the yelling of hackmen, and
importers, and baggage-smashers-
until you would think it was popular
riot, if nothing worse, unless you had
been there befOre-I asked Mrs Wyn for
her checks.
She blushed, and smiled a curious.
heSitating, embarrassed smile.
''Oh, thank you, Mr.. Sutherlin," she
said irresolutely. at is asking too
much of you"
saw 10 reason for blushing over
such simple request as had made. or
for looking embarrassed about it. but |
protested that it would be pleasure in
itead of a trouble to serve her in any
way.
At this she flushed up, and seemed
more embarrassed than ever; and
old Rosebury winked hard at me as he
came across the aisle to say good-by,
and gave me a parting poke in the ribs
on the sly.
At last, as the car was nearly emptied,
Mrs. Wyn gave despairing glance
around, and handed me two checks, and
we left the car-which | shall always
remember with as much affection as a
man can have for Il railroad company.
When had deposited Mrs. Wyn in
the "ladies sitting as the sign
over the door called it, | hurried for
ward to the baggage car and presented
the checks.
zone minute, SIR" said the baggage
master, which was, TO say the least, a
prevaricatiOn on his part, for it took
nearer fifteen.
At last they came, and first was
Saratoga trunk, which was to be expected.
But the next one was sumner for me.
thought should sink down through
the station platform. Out came long
pine bOX-a cOffin-case containing the
mortal remains of the late Mr.. Wyn.
Bless me. felt weak for a minute;
though had no occasion to, but could
see the reason of all the stammering and
confusion and hesitation over giving me
the checks. 1t didn't take me long to
put two and two together. could see
in minute that the late Mr.. Wyn had
gone to the springs for his health and
died there. and had had the privilege
of protecting his widow on her way
home
didn't hesitate or let my surprise
stop me more than minute at most. L
was in for it now, SO stood to my col
Ors like little man; and we had the
trunk and the coffin case loaded on to
the transfer truck and checked again on
the Boston platform in no time. And |
can assure you for fact that had not
the slightest hard feeling toward the late
Mr.. Wyn.
Now, do you want to know the restl
No, no, sir, or madam. There are some
things that man likes to keep to HIM
self, and it is best not to say too much
lest my wife should get hold of this pa
per. But will whisper to you-in con-
tidence, mind you--that, in spite of
few wrinkles and little more stoutness
than was once TO my taste, she is just rs
charming as when lifted the car-win-
dow for her more than five-andtwenty
years ago.