Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-22
M pESERTER.
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cruelty down on the little unshel,ere'
platform as my guard aud harrie'
slonk the line Of first-class carriages
There was litsle choice Of travelling
companions for me that night. Tire
noisy youths playing dummy whist o.
cushion; . lady with nurses AM
babies who greeted me with warnini
"whocpirg.cough" as ! prepared =
enter: . portly foreigner. the opening
Of whose compartment released q fin'
odor Of mingled garlic And patchouli
and who greeted me with an unsanc'I
fied lcer from the depths Of his fur
lined coat; ladies at last, but toe
many Of them, and not place TO spare
for me then an empty compartment,
"You'll be all right here TIL we gel
to Newstead junction. miss" my pro-
toctor assured me, "snd I'll see after
ycu there" So hastily slowing in
rugs, travelling bags, umbrella, and
railway literature. he drew up the win.
dow and shut me in, alone with my i'll.
humor.
I was in an evil mood--a mood OF
blacklist, scurcst discomfort with things
in general which had begun with the
arrival Of the first post that morning
bringing my summons to return home.
A brief, imperative, altogether unrea-
sonable recall, hurrying me away from
the very msddest. merriest time oil tue
brightest bit Of the season. half my en-
gagemcnts untitled and half my pretty
toilettes unworn, back to town in the
middle Of September.
had been staying with Connie, my
very dearest friend, pretty young
bride, during sort Of appendix to her
honeymoon, an extra month at the sea-
side before her Oscar returned TO his
law.books and briefs. They were q
very festive young couple. with large
circle of acquaintance and no desire
for romantic seclusion. Only tonight
we were all to have gone in large party
TO the race ball. Oscars brother was
coming from Scotland, breaking of
all bis shooting engagements-and all
for nothing At least fabcied he
would think so. or course | didn't
care, only one doesn't like to seem ca
PRECIOUS or Indifferent and unless Con-
ME explained to MIN the reason Of my
Sudden departure. which Of course
she wouldn't do. Girls are so thought
less when they have got all they want
themselves, and mothers so inconside-
rate. VIVA. could ] be wanted at home
forg I felt really injured, the more |
thought OF It. In fact, was just going to
cry, I'D did give one sob, when sort
of echo startled me. Not sob exactly,
either; more like q snecze, distinct
sneeze. Then another. Somebody
in the next carriage" Thought; but
it came again, loud and unmistakable,
from under the end seat in the far cor
ner opposite and as I looked saw a
hand, q grimy hand, encircled,
by a grimier cuff, just visible, rest
ing on the dusty boards beyond the
strip Of carpet. didn't scream, but,
jumping up, sprang on the seat and
seized the communication with the
guard.
"Stop." shouted an imperative
voice. | turned and saw the upper
halt of the proprietor Of the grimy paw
emerging from concealment, and the
shining barrel Of revolver levelled d.
rectly of me.
"Puli if you dare. I'm desperate :"
spoke the horrid wretch.
"Fire if you like. I'm desperate
too :" / said, but l didn't pull, only
kept my hand on the knob and my eyes
firmly fixed on the miscreant's face,
which became suddenly irradiated with
a fendish grin.
"Better not. It's fifty pounds if
you stop the train for nothing. Be-
sides. am a dead shot. Also, that
thing mostly doesn't work."
I hesitated, paralyzed by these accu-
mulated considerations seeing which
be diyed again under the seat, emerging
instantly with small cane.
"Now look here" He inserted it
in the barrel Of the revolver, and
stretching over to Inc dropped it gently
on the cushion at my feet.
"Take that Now you have me at
your mercy. It's loaded. I'm defence
less. Put the contents Of the whole SIX
chambers into me when and wherever
you like, but don't. don't, like a good
girl, pull that COMPOUNDED thing just
yet"
II can't shoot" replied honestly
"brt can pull, and don't quite see
vet why shouldn't" | suppose i
was foolish to parley in this way, bu
something in the intruder's face ant
manner penetrated through the CRIME
and general disreputability Of his ap
pearance and spoke in his favor.
His voice was rough and peremptory
but refined in accent and infection, anC
besides he never really did look as i
he wanted to kill me either. Still h
was a repulsive object, thought, as
stepped gingerly down and secured thu
revolver. A soldier, a common soldier
in q dipgy red jacket stained with mud
one sleeve ripped open to the shoulder
and red smear that was not mud OF
his cheek bone. Then no was drenched
saturated, and shining with moistur,
where he wasn't powdered gray witt
dust. no wonder he sneezed, poo
fellow y
II don't inspire confidence, do L?
he asked land / don't deserve j
either. I'm 4 deserter, therefore
thief, making off with this valuabl
property Of her Msjesty's"; b
glanced quizzically at his dilapidate
vesture. That's q good-conduC
stripe" he observed in q casual toni
holding his arm out.
"Only one" replied disparagingly
"why, how long do you, think l''
seryed?" he asked, his merry blu
eyes wide with astonishment at IN
ignorance. ~ only enlisted two year
ago, and this is the wickedest deed ~
done since. I'm not as black as
look. IL you could only see me WHIT
I'm washed !"
His white teeth flashed out so me
rily In accord with his dancing ey
that felt my own lips twitching