The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-10

any OF Dy report. lhpre was IN her
manner kind of confidential reliance
when she listened to me that is not u.s.
ually accorded to stranger, and some
times she actually seemed to refer to
different circumstances with which
| had been connected in times past.
After about three-quaiters of an hours
conversation the train arrived at Ret
ford, where | was TO change carriages
On my alightiDg and wishing her good
morning, she made a slight movement
of the hand, as il she meant to shake
it, and on my doing so she said, by
way of adieu: 81 dare say we shall
meet again :" to which / replied 81
hope we shall all meet again. and so
parted, she going on the line toward
London and through Lincolnshire to
A. The remainder of the journey
was cold, wet, and dreary. / missed
the agreeable conversation and tried to
supply it with box | had brought
with me from York and the Times
newspaper which | had procured at
Retford. But the most disagreeable
journey comes to an end at last, and
$50 III the evening found me at the
termination of mine. A carriage was
waiting for me at the station, where
Mr.. kirkbeck was also expected by
the same train, but as she did not ap-
pear it was concluded he would come
by the next-balf an hour later ac-
cordingly the carriage drove away
with myself only.
The family being from home at the
moment and the dinner hour being Z,
| went at once to my room to unpack
and to dress Having complete ed these
operations l descended to the drawing.
room. 1t probably wanted some time
TO the dinner hour, as the lamps were
lighted, but in their place large blaz-
ing fire threw flood of light into ev-
cry corner of the room and more espec-
tally over lady who, dressed in deep
black, was standing by the chimney
place warming very handsome foot
on the edge of the fender. Her face
being turned away from the door by
which | had entered did not at first
see her features. On my advancing
into the middle of the room, however,
the foot was Immediately withdrawn
and she turned around to accoSt me,
when, to my profound astonishment,
perceived that it was none other than
my companion in tie railway carriage.
She betrayed no surprise at seeing me.
[ In tho pF tkaoa
agreeable, joyous expressions that
marks the plainest woman appear beau
tiful, she accosted me with 81 said
we should meet again.
My bewildermeut at that moment
almost deprived me of utterarce. |
knew of no railway or other means by
which she could have come. l had
certainly left her in London train
and had seen it start, and the only con
ceivable way in which she could have
come was by going to Peterborough
and then returning by a branch TO
A, a circuit of about ninety miles.
As soon as my surprise enabled me to
speak, said / wished had come BY
the same conveyance as herself.
That would have been rather diff
cult she rejoined.
At this moment the servant came
with the lamps and informed me that
his master had just arrived and would
be down in few minutes.
The lady took up book containing
some engravings and having singled
out one, "a portrait of Lady y ask
ed me to look at it well and tell her
whether thought it like her.
| was engaged trying to get up an
opinion when Mr.. and Mrs. Kirkbeck
entered, and, shaking him heartily by
the hand, apologized for not being at
home to receive me (; the gentlemen
ended by requesting me to take Mrs.
Kirkbeck in to dinner.
The lady of the house having taken
my arm, we marched on. | certainly
hesitated moment to allow Mr.. Kirk.
beck to pass on with the mysterious
lady in black, but Mrs. Kirkbeck not
seeming to understand it, we passed on
at once. The dinner party consisting
of us four only, we fell into our re-
respective places at the table without
difficulty, the mistress and master of
the house at the top and bottom, the
lady in black and myself on each side.
The dinner passed much as usual on
such occasions. | having to play the
guest, directed nv conversation princi-
palIy, if not exclusively, to my host
and hostess, and | cannot call to mind
that | or any one else once addressed
the lady opposite. Saying this and re-
memberiug something that looked like
slight want of attention TO her on
coming into the dining, room, | at
once concluded that she was the gov
erness. / observed, however, that she
made an excellent dinner; she seemed
to appreciate both the beef and the
tart, as well as a glass of claret after
wards probably she had no luncheon
or the journey had given her an appe,
tite.
The dinner ended, the ladies retired,
and after the usual port Mr.. Kirkbeck
and joined them in the drawing
room BY this time, however, a much
larger party had assembled. Brothers
and sisters in-law had come in from
their residences in the neighborhood,
and several children, with Miss Hard
wick, their governess, were also intro.
duced to me, | saw at once that my
supposition as to the lady in black be-
ing the governess was incorrect. AT,
ter passing the time necessarily occupi-
ed in complimenting the children and
saying something to the different per-
sons to whom ! was introduced,
found myself engaged in conversation
with the lady of the railway carriage,
and as the topic of the evening had
referred principally to portrait paint
ing she continued the subject
'Do you think you could paint my
portrait ?" the lady inquired.
"Yes, think could, if | had the op-
portunity,"
snow, look at my face well; do
you think you should recollect my fea-
lures 7'
HNaa | on, eura I shonlJ na,,o, e..