The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-08-11

DAISY.
II any one were to ask me whether could
fix upon such turning point in my own
career. my thoughts would instantly fly back
10 one hot daY In the month of August, 1S7-,
when found myself the solitary occupant Of
first-class railway carriage standing in the
great station at York was looking out
upon the fustling scene on that cheerful
platform with not little interest and amuse-
ment Wearied by months Of tedious work
in London, / was on my way 10 Scarborough,
for the purpose Of recruiting my health and
spirits, depressed by recent bereavement,
in that famous pleasure resort 1t seemed
to me that here at York Twas already feeling
some Of the benefits which the doctor had
told me that a change of scene would bring
in its train The air. even in the railway
station, was distinctly fresher than that
which had breathed few hours before at
Kings Cross; and the men and women who
were hurrying to and fro or the platform, in
all the hot excitement Of travellers at the
height Of the tourist season, were very
different from the pale-faced, jaded loungers
/ had left behind me in the streets of London.
It was my first visit to York since the
erection OF the palatial station which has
taken the place Of the little pink-roofed shed
that SO long sheltered tho traveller as he
paused on his flight to the north, and was
lost in admiration of the architectural mag
nifcence of the new building. Twas hardly
conscious myself of my absorption in the
scene before me, until was startled by
voice at my very ear.
Would you be kind enough 10 allow me
to enter the carriageP
1t was woman's voice, sweet and deep
toned, such as all men love to hear. The
speaker was standing with her hand upon
the handle of the door, which she had evil
IDENTIFY been trying to open at tine moment
when my eyes are fixed in admiration upon
the great span Of the station roof. She was
young and handsome, so much as that / saw
at glance; and she was dressed with singu-
lar elegance
Il leg your pardonl" cried in confusion,
and fear with blush dyeing my cheeks
AMI forehead; for was still young enough
to be sui ject to that weakness. / hastily
opened tie door and stepped back.
little nlore-entered the carriage with some
appearance Of haste. She was accompanied
by ar unnistalIable lady's maid. of demure
aspect, WAo was laden with the inevitable
dressing tpee. which she carried with care
that suggested the value Of its contents, Her
mistress turned to porter who was in at
tendunr' laden with various small parcels,
and giving h'm half crown, said:
se ftspf Z 81 ft,l-
Eyes ulsss. IL only wants one minute to
the time. thank you, miss. kind "" touching
bis hat ed pocketing his handsome douceur.
"Woui1 you be kind enough" said the
young lady, then she looked at me for mo-
ment, and Icould have sworn there was a
slight increase Of color in her cheeks also
"Would you be kind enough 10 lock the
dOorg" she resumed; but the porter was al
ready out Of earshot, and her request was
not + TENDED to- Giving up the attempt to
arrest his attention as hopeless she sank back
into her seat with little sigh, that might
have been one either Of satisfaction or un-
fas ness There was something singularly
attractive In her whole appearance She
had only been a few seconds in the carriage
with me, and yet her presence seemed to
pervade the whole apartment. and some
subtle lndeRnable spring of joy in my own
heart was touched at the thought that for
an hour or more we were TO be fellow
travellers
looked into her face as she sat with her
eyes fixed upon the door. She had taken the
seat furthest from the platform, but could
see that she was watching the crowd in the
station with an intentness that was surpris-
ing even TO one ordinarily so unobservant as
myself Suddenly l beheld the most extra
ordinary change pass over the face, the
beauty of which ! was admiring perhaps
more openly than / was aware Every yes
tige of color faded out OF it; evel the rich
full lips that had seemed made for smiles and
bright conversation and kisses turned white,
and long lines of care or terror were pen
ciled on the forehead followed the direc-
ton of her eyes and saw that they were
fixed upon tnan who was look ng into a
carriage--a yelngish man, with handsome
dissipated face, which spoke elcquently of q
lie Of vicious sef-indulgenoe. and a sneering,
insolent smile upon his lips, that told some-
thing of the heart that was beating in his
breast
He nodded familiarly 10 the girl, and
then, with a sinister laugh of triumph, laid
his hand upon the door.
"Oh, stop him, sirI step him! For the
love of heaven do not let him enterI
/ could hardly believe the evidence of my
own ears when heard the voice in which
she addressed me. Her tone had undergone
as great transformation as her features.
Ii ever mortal terror was expressed by a
voice it was new in the harsh. strained ac-
cents in which she spoke.
Ibid not wait to ask for any explanation.
It was enough that she had appealed to me
for aid The young blood ran more rapidly
through my veins ! felt rather than saw
that she was appealing to me, not only with
her voice, but with her beautiful eyes, her
clasped hands and the whole attitude of the
figure. the symmetry Of which a moment
before had been admiring. | turned to the
door, which the man was already trying to
open, as the train began TO move slowly out
Of the station
@You cannot get In herei" said, holding
the door hard against his altampt to open it.
With scowl upon his handsome evil facs.
be struck at me through the open window.
Almost before was conscious Of tbs smart
Of ths blow which had fallen upon my
mouth, he was lying on his back ON the
platform, where as the train, with increas-
ing speeI, proceeded on its journey. could
see little group Of officials and spectators
quickly gather round his PROSTATE form
It had all passed in a moment | might
have thought that it was only dream. as
the train went quickly over the railway
bridge, and past the gray towers of the
Minister, if It had not been for the undoubted
presence Of the lady and her attendant and
Tor she fact that my Lip was bleeding where
] had been struck. / Has more excited than
appeared to be. Whilst / stanehed the
slight cut with my handkerchiaf looked
toward the girl at whose bidding l had just
struck a stranger to the ground She was
still white and trembling violently, and her
maid was fumBIing with the stopper Of
bottle Of SCENT Ny own heart was beating
quickly with the excitement Of the strange
encounter, but when saw her pale face and
manifest agitation. felt that ! must be
ealni for her salre.
nniled end said, sY'ou are nct frightened,
hope. ! vas forced to strike him back
after he struck me but ] 90 not think be
was hurt
@But your she snid ii Il voi.ss chat shook
as she spokes shs has hurt youlv
-(1h, itisa mere triAeis cried. gla1 to,
hay5 heard her sneak again at Is abso