The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-19
AT HORSESHOE BEND.

The parlor car on the fast line from
Philadelphia was comparatively empty
when the train pulled out of Harris
burg, after stopping the usual twenty
minutes for dinner. The three drum
mers had retired to the smoking room
for cigar, and the only other occu-
pants of the car were young lady
md gentleman.
She was about 20, blonde, with
little rings of soft hair falling over a
white forehead from beneath the
turned-up brim of jaunty straw hat.
Her nose was what Tennyson calls tip
tilted. Her laughing blue eyes re-
belled against the otherwise demure
expression of her face, and the slight
ly-parted lips revealed glimpse of
pearl-like teeth which one could never
associate with dentists chair Her
neat figure was set off to advantage in
a tight-fitting light dress, and the
cluster Of carnations on her bosom be-
spoke love of nature.
The young man on the other side of
the aisle, Immediately opposite, evil
dently appreciated the points of excel
lence in his fellow traveller. He held
book in his hand, but was not so alb
sorbed in it that he did not cast many
a covert glance at the pretty face half
turned toward the window in admira-
ton of the scene. He was a bright
| young fellow, with dark moustache,
and silk travelling cap thrown care
lessly on the back of his head. In the
seat by his side was a small satchel,
which he had never let out of his sight
since leaving Philadelphia, and upon
which he rested his hand most of the
time. 1t was easy to see that he was
travelling on business, and that he
was used to it. He was as much at
home in the swinging chair as if he
owned the car and all its appurtenan-
ces, and he commanded the services of
the colored porter m the off hand man.
ner characteristic of your experienced
traveller.
"Wonder what makes my fair neigh
Dor so fdgety?" he was saying to him
self. "Seems to ME something is
troubling her. She Looks awfully wor-
ried. Not used to travelling alone, 1
guess. Maybe she thinks there is
danger of our being attacked by train
robbers or Indians, or something of
that sort. She does not look like a
fool, though. There is a good deal of
intelligence in that face"
The lady had been feeling in her
pocket and had closely examined the
contents of her hand -satchel, drawing
therefrom handkerchief, a vinaigrette,
pair of gloves, bundle of paper
patterns, some crochet work, and a
few crumbs of cake. The last she put
in her mouth in an absent minded
way, signing heavily as she replaced
the other articles. Then she tried to
raise the window. In an instant the
young man was at her side, rendering
his assistance. She thanked him with
glance of her blue eyes.
cat what time shall we be at Al
toona?" she asked, in low, sweet
voice. in perfect keeping with her ap,
pearance.
"About o'clock. We are little
behind time."
eve shall pass Horseshoe bend by
daylight, shall we not?'
Eyes. Just about sundown. YOU
have seen it before, of course?" he in
terrogated.
"No. have passed it several times
but always in the dark. Papa prefer:
travelling at night, to save time. an
making the journey by myself thi.
time. and it is the first opportunity
have had to enjoy the scenery"
altoona! Twenty minutes for sup
per-"
The young man hastily seized hi
satchel and left the car, telling the por
ter, as he passed him to see if the lad,
wanted anything. But she did not
She told the porter rather shortly tina
she did not want any supper, and then
as soon as the man had disappeared
burst into tears. When the youn,
man returned in about fifteen minutes
with stray crumb on his mustach
and an aroma of coffee clinging to hi
clothes, he noticed that his travelin:
companion eyes were red, and that sh,
looked generally disconsolate.
"Does not like travelling by herself
and feels lonely" was his inward com
ment, as he settled himself In his seat