Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-11-13

~ sSAS 44S OWu 6SuShIlOuS
told him that it was a long night of agony.
Naturally a nervous man, tonight his
nerves were getting the mastery over him.
II never took such a miserable Journey"
he said to himself. "If 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 life! It is like tray cling
with Death personified. Were she to lift
that veil this instant l should 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 intensifying. Yet, if she
were sleeping as placidly 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 a 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 DO
praised! fifteen minutes more and the train
was due at Milldale. What bliss to del. YER
that poor creature into the keeping Of her
friends-to have lone with that muflsd
figure and that unseen face forever!
Tie train was fast approaching the juno
ton; seven minutes more alone remained of
the hour, and this night mail was famed for
its punc.uality.
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 fea .ures under the blue veill
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 attitudel
Something, he knew not what, prompted Mr..
Caulfield to touch those pale fingers, He
bent over and laid his hand lightly upon
them.
Great God, what an icy handl He had
felt the touch Of death o many a sad &C.
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 a face purpled by the
awful shadow Of death
"Milldale Junction. Change here for
Broughborough, Mudford, Middlebridge.
Sloughcombe-" and a string of names
that dwindled into silence far away along
the platform.
George Caulfield sprung out of the rail-
way carriage like q man distraught. He
seized upon the nearest guard.
"For Gods sake, tell ma what to dol" he
cried. "There is a lady in that carriage
dead or dying. Indeed. l fear she is &C
tually dead. She wal placed in my charge
by a stranger ut Grandchester. She is to
be met by friends hero. It will be an awful
shock for them-near relatives, perhaps
How am I TO find them' How am I 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 a man of iron.
@Fetch the station master here. will vouT'
he said to a passing porter. @Sad thing.
sir" he said to the curate; @but you'd better
keep yourself quiet. Such misfortunes will
happen. Wen got 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
riage. George Caulfeld glanced with a
shudder at that mufled figure in the farthest
corner.
"No," he answered, profoundly agitated,
~ could do nogood. I fear there is no hope.
fear she is dead"
mo relation of yours, sir, the lady2" asked
the guard. scrutinizing the curate rather
curiously.
~ never saw her till tonight and then.
In Hurried accents, Mr.. Caulfield related the
circumstances of bis departure from Grand.
chester.
Here comes the station master" said the
guard, without vouchsaflng any comment
on the curate's story.
The station master was a business-like
man. Of commanding presence. and Mr..
Cau!field turned to him as II for nrotactinn
What am 1 TO dor he asked, when the
guard had briefly stated the case.
Nothing, l should think" answered the
station master, shortly; "but you'd better
are the lady's friends, I wonder7 They
ought to havo turned up by this time.
johnson, just You go along the platform to
inquire for anybo ! waiting to meet a lady
from Grandchestcr, and send some one else
along the line to inquire for a doctor"
il,e 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 a better light" be- asked, and a
lamp YVES brought
A crowd was collecting by this time, trav-
e!ers who scented some excitement, and
thought they could not make a better use of
their remaining five minutes than in finding
out MI about it.
You'd better send for the police" ex-
claimed the doctor. reappearing at the door
of the carriage. eth is a bad case"
"How do you mean?' inquired the station
master.
~ mean that this poor creature has died
from the effects Of a narcotic poison"
"Great heavenl" cried the curate; u had a
presentiment there was something wrong"
The doctor and a porter lifted the mufled
hgure out of the carriage and conveyed it to
The nearest waiting room. Three minutes
more and the train would be moving.
Apolice constable appeared as if by magic,
and planted himself at the curate's side.
The guard came back.
Nobody here to meet the lady," he said.
"There must be a mistake somewhere"
"WEat am l to dol" demanded George
Caulfeld, looking helplessly from the station
master to the doctor.
Keep yourself as quiet as you can, I
should say" answered the station master.
"But. good heavens! I 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. l 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 Briargate-a big man with large