Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-07-01

This was cmlncntty taSn, as Mr.. ret
tigrew felt the moment he had spoken,
since the statement laid him open to
all sorts of dangers. Instantly it
flashed across his mind that the
stranger might be acquainted with the
real Mr.. Levi. The idea was too dread
full to contemplate. but fortunately the
stranger made no sign. He might
however, recognize the name and turn
the conversation on to shipping and
mercantile matters, concerning which
Mr.. Pettigrew was as ignorant As an
infant in arms. To avert this contin-
gency, and to check himself from rush
ing headlong to destruction, Mr.. Petit
grew, in desperation. closed his eyes
and feigned to sleep, which, perhaps.
under the circumstances. was the
wisest thing he could have done. At all
events the expedient was successful, for
the stranger naturally relapscd INTO
silence. CHANGING, however, at him.
after a mile or two, beneath his eye
lids, Mr.. Pettigrew found to his dis
NAV, that he was still regarding him
quietly and persistently. 1t was a
trying ordeal to feign to be unc0n-
scious Of this. and poor Mr.. Pettigrew
suffered a martyrdom in the attempt
He knew that he made miserable
failure of it, yet he dared not face his
companion openly, for fear he should
resume the conversation. 1t was a
positive relief when the next stoppage
of the strain distracted the stranger 8
attention, though Mr.. Pettigrew was
aware that he would again have to
produce his unlucky pass. When the
inspector appeared in due course, Mr..
Pettigrew pretended to wake up with
start, and produced the document,
but, in doing so, he cOntrived to drop
it upon the floor of the carriage. In a
moment the stranger, who seemed to
be on the alert, Officiously pOunced
upon it and handed it to the inspector.
But in the most natural manner in the
world he first uniolded it, and Mr..
Pettigrew perceived that he took the
opportunity of glancing at the con-
tents. The action occupied only a
moment, but. nevertheless, the
stranger evidently satisfied his Curl
osity. He leaned back in his seat with
a smile, and looked at Mr.. Pettigrew
with increased interest. This episode
made Mr.. Pettigrew more uncomfort-
able than ever, and, upon receiving
the pass back again, he fastened to
resume his fictitious slumher. But he
could not resist peeping furtively at
his companion from time to time, and
he grew more and more convinced
that the stranger regarded him as an
impOstOr. The consequence was that
he worked himself into such fever of
nervousness and apprehension that at
length he could stand it no longer. He
resolved, therefore, to get rid of the
pass at all hazards, even at the sacri-
flee of having to pay the full fare. Bet
ter this than run the risk of the pains
and penalties to which detection
would subject him.
Watching his opportunity. Mr.. Petit
grew, when the stranger had turned
aside for moment, suddenly let down
the window, and crushing the pass into
a ball in the palm of his hand, he cast
it forth into space. But his move
ments, quick as they were, did not es-
cape the attention Of the stranger, who
witnessed the whole maneuver. He
glanced at Mr.. Pettigrew IN such sig
nificant manner that the unhappy gen.
tleman felt bound to explain.
"a most awkward circumstance! he
murmured. 81 was just opening the
window when my pass"
dropped out?" interposed the
stranger, in sympathetic tone.
Eyes, dropped out" said Mr.. Petit
grew, very red in the face.
Dear me! How did you manage
it?'' inquired the stranger.
II don't know. had it in my hand,
and the draught was strong" said Mr..
Pettigrew, hastily. However" he
added, with more assurance, cit can't
be helped. l must pay, that's all. +"
Pay. Oh, no! l shouldn't think of
such thing if 1 were YOU" returned
the stranger, briskly. you've lost
your pass by an accident, but you've
only got to say so. l saw it and will
give my testimony"
''You are very kind" said Mr.. Petit
grew, not quite knowing whether to
feel grateful or not.
After all there was no reason why he
should pay the expensive railway fare
if he could get off doing SO, and now
that the tell-tale pass had disappeared
in the breeze, there seemed no fear of
detection. If the official at the next
station declined to accept his statement
about the loss of the pass, he would
only be called upon to pay, and this he
was now reconciled to do. Consider
ably easier in his mind, Mr.. Pettigrew
awaited the result of the experiment
with tOlerable equanimity, and even
ventared to exchange ideas with his
companion on the subject of the
weather. When the next stage of the
journey was reached and the inevitable
ticket inspector again presented HIM
self. Mr.. Pettigrew told his story glibly
enough.
''Of course, if must pay, / must"
he concluded, putting his hand reluct-
antly in his pocket.
pooh! Nonsense! No occasion
whatever for that" interrupted the
stranger. 81 know this gentleman
had pass, inspector, and / saw him
lose it.
will you give me your name and
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