Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-29

COZy VindSe- AT Dy nalI b uO8Sn idrtuiAs
rush lights, fit by like phani ON, or town
that made patch of angry glare on the
edge of the horizon. Useless to think Of enjoy
ing Tennyson by the sickly CLEAN of that
wretched lampi He curled himself up in
his warm rug; he closed his eyes. and tried
to sleep. In vain. He was thinking of the
face under the blue veil He was broad
awake-hopelessly awake He could do
nothing but sit and contemplate the figure
reposing SO quietly in the opposite corner.
How he longed for Mildale Junction! He
looked at his watch. The inexorable dial
told him that it was only half an hour since
he left Grand chester His own sensations
told him that it was long night of agony.
Ma furally a nervous man, tonight his
nerves were getting the mastery over him
II never took such miserable Journey"
be 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 ign of lifel 1t is like trav cling
with Death person fed Were she 10 lift
that veil this instant shou d expect to see a
grinning skull underneath"
He had been told not to speak to her. but
the inclination to disobey that injunction
was every instant inten>ifying. Yet, if she
were sleeping as placldiy as she seemed to
sleep, it would be cruel TO disturb her: and
he was a 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 a quarter of an
hour. He looked at his watch God be
praisedl fifteen minutes more and the rain
was due at NJ lldale. What bliss to del yer
that poor creature into the keeping of her
friend to have done with that mufflsd
figure and that unseen face forever,
The tram was fast approaching the juno
ton; seven minutes more alone remained of
the hour and this night mail was famed for
it, pune uality.
Just at the last that feeling of morbid
curiosity which had been torme 1tin, the
curate for the greater part of the journey
became an irresistible impulse. He changed
his seat to that directly opposite his silent
COM anton. Here he could see the form of
the delicate tea ures under the blue veil!
How cruelty illness had sh1rpened that out
line. The girls ungloved hand hung list
lessly over the moroc co-covere1 arm which
divided her seat from the next Such
pallld hand, so nerveless in its attitude!
Something, he knew no. what, prompted Mr.
OdulIlelu 10 tOuCu GuOS0 pale fingers. d9
bent over and laid his hand lightly upon
them.
Great God, what an icy hand! He had
felt he 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
gauze VEIL and saw face purpled by the
awful shadow of death.
Broughborougn, Mudford, Middld \lge.
Soughcombe--" and a string of b tines
that dwindled into silence far away along
the platform
George Caulfield sprung out of the rail-
way carriage like man distraught He
seized upon the nearest guard.
"For Gods sake, tell mo what to dol" he
cried. "There is lady in that carriage
dead or dying Indeed, l fear she is &C
tually dead She was placed in my charge
by stranger at Grandchester She is to
be met by friends here. 1t will be an awful
shock for them-near relatives, perhaps
How am | TO find thems How am to break
the sad news to themp
He was pale to the lips, cold drops Of
sweat were on his brow. All the De lt-up
excitement Of the last hour burst from him
now with uncomfortable force The guard
was as calm a man Of iron.
"Fetch the station master here, will your
he said to passing porter. "Sad thing,
SIR" he said to the curate; "but you d better
keep yourself quiet Such misfortunes will
happen. Well 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
herr"
They were standing at the door of the car
rage George Caulheld glanced with a
shuId der at that muffled figure in the farthest
corner.
"No," he answered, profoundly agitated,
81 could do nogood. l fear there is no hope
l fear she is dead
"No alton of yours, sir, the ladyp asked
the guard, scrutinizing the curate rather
curiousiy.
81 never saw her till to-nig t. and then,
in Hurried accents, Mr.. Caulfield related the
circumstances of his departure from Grand
chester
H re comes the station MASTER" said the
guard without vouchsafing any comment
on the curate's story.
The station master was a business-like
man of commanding presence and Mr.
Caulfield turned to him as if for protection
"What am to dor he asked, when the
qua d 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 lady's friends, l wonder2 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
station master stayed. In three minutes a
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 a
lamp was brought
A crowd was collecting by this time, trav-
elers 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 he carriage. "This is a bad case"
"How do you meang" inquired the station
master
"Noh ohao Wills poOi VI ealuo hoo NAoA
from the effects of a narcotic poison"
"Great heavenl" cried the curate; II had a
presentiment there was something wrong.
The doctor and porter lifted the muffied
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 the curate's side.
The guard came back.
"NobodY here to meet the lady y he said.