The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-31
CHAPTER /.


damp fog which filed the arched expanse from
end to end. The broad platform teemed with
the motion and hustle attendant upon the de-
parture of e train. The newspaper boys alone
were having a 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 fog 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, on
corners might choose some other compart-
ulent than his
The moving rack which bears the lamps
reached the extreme end of the train. The
stronc-armed official below hurled the last
CRYSTAL globe TO the nimble official who runs
along the top Of the carriages, and leaps SO
recklessly from one to another. Deft as an
Indian iuggler, 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
body,s carelessness had left open, jumped into
his van as it swept by him, and, punctuai to
the minute. the five o'clock train left London
and began its race to Penzance.
In one of the first-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 of as child
in arms by all save, perhaps, those tender
minded persons who send conscience money
to the chancellor of the exohequer. The two
travellers who augmented the companys rev.
enue were a man and woman.
That they were strangers was evident, and
IL was also evident that the man was an Old
traveller As soon as the train was in motion,
and he felt insured for some time to come
against disturbance, he 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, detailed description
would be superfuous. 1t is enough to know
be was a gentleman, well dressed, well-to-do
I'm appearance and looked quite in his place
In q frst-class carriage.
1t was different matter with the woman.
There was no obvious reason why she should
not be able and willing to pay threepence-
halfpenny instead of penny mile for the
privilege of being whisked TO her destination;
vet one could imagine crusty old director,
who travels free himself, and is therefore
anxious to prev, Mt the company from being
defrauded. calling to guard and suggesting
that the woman's ticket should be examined.
Or, from purely benevolent reasons, per-
son who knows what mistakes women make
In such matters, might with propriety have
remarked: How comfortable these first
class carriages are" For my part, l should
most certainly have done so-not from be
nevolence, but to save myself, who had paid
lust fare from feeling swindled If, at the
Journeys end, good-natured ticket collector
let Off the victim of such q comfortable mis-
take.
Yet there was nothing remarkable in the
woman's appearance, except the utter absence
of individuality it displayed. For any guild
ance her looks gave, she might have beer
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 London to the Lands
End, yet not have known how to classify her
She was dressed in plain black-and black, like
charity and night, covereth and hideth much
No scrap of bright ribbon, no vestige OF
color, broke the sombre monotony Of hel
attire, and O thick black veil hid the upper
part of her face She sat like one in 9
thoughtful frame Of mind. Her head was
bent forward, and so threw her mouth and
chin into the shade. Her hands being gloved
it was impossible to know whether she wore
avoiding ring or not.