The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-10-01


leaned back in his corner shut his
eyes, and tried to commune, But he
could not. In less than a minute he
found himself taking furtive inven-
tory through his half-closed eyes of
the rude disturber OF his intended
meditations. She was pretty, there
was no denying that.
"a refined face, too," thought Algy
wonder where she's from-the South,
undoubtedly"
And as the unconscious object of
his haIf-curious scrutiny pushed back
her hat and forward so that the wind
could blow upon her face, flushed with
her rapid run to the train, he marvel
led at her wealth OF golden hair
"Real golden, that no bleaching
There" thought the observant young
man.
After while she leaned back in her
corner and appeared buried in
thought Pleasant enough, doubtless
for ever and anon quiet smile made
the dimples come and go in her fair,
white cheeks. She drew on her hat,
smoothing back her "wavy tresses"
with small, delicate and very white
hand.
"Pardon me, Madam, but perhaps you
find that draught too much; I shall
be most happy to change seats with
you, If you do not mind riding back
wards"
"Thank you, very much, she replied,
looking up and revealing a pair
of the merriest laughing blue eyes
that ever won heart. "You are very
kind but this breeze is delicious. /
am so warm after my hurried walk /;
indeed, it was fun"
But are you not afraid OF taking
coid2 Shall | not partially close the
Windows"
"No, thank you. don't mind it at
all, and we shall soon be in Newcastle.
| was foolish not to have taken more
time. But as / must be home by five
/ had to catch this train, even though
was obliged to enter this compart-
ment with rather more haste than
dignity"
"And would he," ventured Algy
"would he be SO very, very angry, il
you had not come until the next
train?"
"0h no, indeed" this with quiet
silvery laugh, that just showed two
rows Of even, white teeth "he is nev
er angry with me"
Il suppose he loves you too mucl
even to give him an occasion for an
, ger"
"Well, of course, / love him. But
am SO young and frivolous, and 81
, fond of quiet good time that doubtless
r l do give him plenty of reason for be
ing provoked with me, if he were no
: such dear, good old man."
( "Your husband is older than you
3 thenY
. Ever SO much--ages, almost--an,
}. as good as he is old. He was m,
. fathers dearest friend.
! "Then you're a sort Of an old man
a darling, eh? Don't you find it rathe
i irksome2'
!, "Not now At first it was littl
# bit SO, but now he lets me go on jus
}, as like. There are times, it is tru,
y when l miss that ineffable somethin
g that comes only to two natures pc,
il fectly in harmony one to the other"
e There was dewiness about thos
it wondrous blue eyes, that caused
II strange thrill in Algy's hitherto adj
is mantine heart. A quiyer of thos
delicately cut lips--a sigh, inexpress
Is bly, longing. Algy, Algyl
e "Why longer suffer this thraldon
r then? Shake off these hateful fetter
7 these close binding bandages of wealt
le and age let me be to you all that /
ss cannot. Nay, hear me. ! love you'll
y adore you Fly with me and In 9TH
IN lands will devote life--yet your
ct and full Of loye-to giving you thi
a. happiness for which your soul year,
Vt and he cannot grant Oh, say yo
IN will be miner"
Ii "Sirl This is unseemly. Aris
n We are at the station. Though / d
in serve this treatment for having unws
sn rantably assumed that you were ge
tleman, wish you to understand, s
he that I am o true and faithful %
b. mans darling
n She left the compartment, and in |
ed instant was lost in the crowd Of passe
ss gers, leaving poor Algy SO paralyz
lis with the look Of mingled scorn al
4e mirth she bestowed upon him wi
At. her parting shot, that he could han
tn ly summon strength to rise from +
he kneeling position into which he h
oh thrown himself In the lervoF Of
ell pleading,
N. Like one dszed, Algy left the CO