The Dillon tribune., 1885-06-06


damp fog which filed the arched expanse from
end to end. The broad platform teemed with
the motion and hustle attendant upon the de
par'ture Of train The newspaper boys alone
were having comparatively dull time Of it,
as the first act Of every passenger, upon TAX
ing his seat, was to pull up the window and
shut out as much tog as possible, declining to
let the sash down for any one, except other
travellers, who having paid their fares, claimed
their right to seats in the train-a proceeding
which, to the first installed passenger, always
seems supremely selfish The new conner, or
corners, might choose some other compart-
nlent than his!
The moving rack which bears the lamps
reached the extreme end Of the train. The
strong-arned official below hurled the last
crystal globe to the ni.,bie official who runs
along the top Of the carriages, and leaps so
recklessly from one to another. Dett as an
Indian juggler, he caught the cleaning mis-
sile. slapped It into the last socket, and sprang
incontinently from the already moving train.
The guard shut the last door, which some
Eodys carelessness had left open, jumped into
his van as it swept by him, and. punctual to
the minute, the five o'clock train left London
and began its race to Penzance.
In one Of the filst-class compartments were
three passengers, although the railroad COM
pany would only benefit to the extent Of two
fares one Of these passengers being child
still young enough to be passed off as a child
in arms by all save, perhaps, those tender
minded persons who send conscience money
to the chancellor Of the exchequer. The two
travellers who augmented the company'' rev.
enue were a man and Il woman.
That they We're strangers was evident, and
o1c t1.nt t1,a nd
traveller. AS soon a. the train was in motion,
and he felt insured for some time to como
against disturbance, be arranged his wraps in
the most approved fashion, donned a soft cap,
lit lamp and buried himself in book. He
was a young man: but as he appears in this
tale only to disappear, a detailed description
would be superfluous. 1t is enough to know
hc Vas a gentleman, well dressed. well-to-tlo
in appearance, and looked quite in his place
in flrst-clnss carriage.
1t was Il different matter with the woman.
There was no obvious reason why she should
rot he able and willing to pay threepence-
lulfpenny instead OF penny a mile for the
privilege of being whisketl to her destination;
yet one could imagine crusty old director,
who travels free himself, and is therefore
anxious to prevent the company from being
defrauded, calling to Il guard and suggesting
that the wolran's ticket should BE- examined.
Or, from rely benevolent reasons, a per-
son who knows what mistakes women make
in such matters, might with propriety have
remarked: "How comfortable these .fs'st-
class carriages are" For my part, should
most certainly have done so-not frol. be-
nevolence, but to save myself, who had paid
Just fore. from feeling swintllei it, at the
journeys end. Il good-natured ticket collector
let off tLr victim OF such u comfortable mis-
take.
Yet there was nothing remarkable in the
woman'> appearance, except the utter absence
of individuality it displayed. For any guild
ance her looks gave, she might have been
rich or poor, young or Old. beautiful or ugly,
noble or simple Had her travelling COM
panion been as curious as he was at present
Indifferent about the matter. he might have
sat opposite to her from I.ondcn to the Lands
End, yet not have known how to classify her
She was dressed in plain bla"k-and black, like
charity and night coverrth and hideth much
No scrap Of bright ribbon no yestige OF
color, broke the sonll.v monotony Of her
attire, and thick black veil hid the upper
mrt Of her face. She sat like one in u
thoughtful frame Of mind Her head was
bent forward, and threw her mouth and
chin into the shade. Her hands being goyed,
it was impossible to know whether she wore
avoiding ring OF not.