The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-09-04

Hcifco HeIc BettilR tne mystery over MIN
Il never took such a miserable journey,
he said to himself off she would only
throw back that veil-if she would only
speak to me-if she would only stir, or make
some little sign of lifel 1t is like travelling
with Death personifed Were she to lift
that veil this instant should expect to see o
grinning skull underneath
! He had been told not to speak to her, but
| the inclination to disobey that Injunction
was every instant intensifying. Yet, il she
were sleeping as placidly as she seemed to
sleep, it would be cruel TO disturb her; and
he was man overlooking with the milk OF
human kindness.
| He took out his Tennyson and cut the
leaves, puzzling out few lines here and
there by the uncertain lamplight. This
helped him to while away quarter of an
| hour. He looked at his watch. God be
| praisedl fifteen minutes more and the train
was due at Milldale. What bliss to deliver
that poor creature into the keeping of her
| frends-to have done with that muffied
figure and that unseen face forever!
The train was fast approaching the juno
| ton; seven minutes more alone remained of
| the hour, and this night mail was famed for
| its punciuality.
| just at the last that feeling of morbid
curiosity which had been tormenting the
curate for the greater part of the journey
| became an irresistible impulse. He changed
his seat to that directly opposite his silent
companion. Here he could see the form of
the delicate features under the blue veili
How cruelty illness had sharpened that out
line. The girls ungloved hand hung list
lessly over the morocco-covered arm which
divided her seat from the next Such a
pallid hand, SO nerveless in its attitude I
Something, he knew not what, PROMPTED Mr.
Caulteld to touch those pale fingers. He
bent over and laid his hand lightly unon
them.
Great God, what an icy handi He had
felt the touch of death on many sad oc-
casion in the path of duty, but this was
colder than death itself A cry of horror
hurst from his lips He snatched aside the
gauzs veil and saw face purpled by the
awful shadow of death
"Milldale Junction. Change here for
Broughborough, Mudford, Middlebridge,
Sloughcombe-" and string of names
that dwindled into silence far away along
the platform
George Caulfeld sprung out of the rail-
way carriage like a man distraught He
seized upon the nearest guard
"For Gods sake, tell ms what to do,n he
cried. There is lady in that carriage
dead or dying. Indeed, l fear she is az
tuaily dead. She was placed in my charge
by stranger at Grandchester Sho is to
be met by friends here 1t will be an awful
shock for them-near relatives, perhaps.
How am | to find thema How am to break
the sad news to them:'
He was pale to the lips, cold drops of
sweat were on his brow. All the pent-up
excitement of the last hour burst from him
now with uncomfortable force The guard
was as calm as man of iron.
Fetch the station master here, will YOUR
he said to a passing porter Sad thing.
sir ne said TO the curate; "but you d better
keep yourself quiet, Such misfortunes will
happen. Wen get a medical man here
presently. | dare say there's one in the
train. Perhaps the lady has only tainted.
Hadn't you better step inside and sit with
bert"
They were standing at the door of the car
riage. George Garfield glanced with a
shudder at that muttied figure in the farthest
corner
NO" he answered, profoundly agitated,
81 could do ogood fear there is no hope.
l fear she is dead"
~No relation OF yours, sir, the lady?" asked
the guard, scrutinizing the curate rather
curiously.
a never saw her till tonight and then.
in Hurried accents, MIR Caulfeld related the
circumstances of his departure from Grand
chester
Here comes the station MASTER said the
guard, without vouchsafng any comment
on the curste's story.
The station master was a busins ,s-liks
"an, of commanding presence, and Mr..
taultield turned TO him as if for protection.
What am to dor he asked, when the
guard had briefly stated the case.
Nothing, | should think" answered the
station master, shortly; ''but you'd better
stay to see the upshot of the business Where
are the ladys friends, l wonders They
ought to have turned up by this time
johnson, just you go along the platform to
inquire for anybody waiting to meet a lady
from Grandchildren, and send some one else
along the line to inquire for Doctor
The guard departed on his errand; the
Seo'AoAA AhfiSLti Al tilItS iIlluultS d
porter came, followed by an elderly man,
bearded and specialized. Medical gentle
man, sir said the porter
The doctor got into the carriage and
looked at the lady.
Bring me better light" he asked, and
lamp was brought
A crowd was collecting by this time, trav-
e.ers who scented some excitement, and
thought they could not make better use of
their remaining five minutes than in finding
out all about it.
You'd better send for the police" ex-
claimed the doctor. reappearing at the door
of the carriage. "This is bad case
"How do you mean?" inquired the station
master
81 mean that this poor creature has died
from the effects of narcotic poison"
threat heavenm cried the curate; ~ had a
pfesentiment there was something wrong"
The doctor and porter lifted the 1nuffisd
figure out of the carriage and conveyed it to
The nearest waiting room. Three minutes
more and the train would be moving.
A police constable appeared as if by magic,
and planted himself at tine curate's side.
The guard came back.
Nobody here TO meet tie lady, he said.
"fhere must be a mistake somewhere
"What am l to do" demanded George
Caulfisld, looking helplessly from the station
master to the doctor
keep yourself as quiet as You can,
should say" answered the station master
But, good heavens! l may be suspected
Of being concerned in this poor creatures
death unless her friends appear to verify my
statement. All, by the by, her brother gave
me his card / can tell you her name, at
any rate
He took the card from his breast pocket
and handed it TO the station master.
"Mr. Elsden, Briargate," the man read
aloud
"Elsden,' said the doctor II know an
Elsden, of Brjargate-a big man with large
white whiskers" he Intercepted, turning
to the curae
"No, this was a young man; pale, dark,
good-loobing
"Ah, don't know who he can be- There'll
have to be an inquest tomorrow morning,
and the best thing we can do is to telegraph
to Elsden, of Briargate, directly the office is
open. Very strange that the lady's friends
ShOl1d mot baya aJ