Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-24

His clothes were certainly thick, but that
he would be very cold before morning
could not help deciding. That the sauna
idea should strike Seraphine did not sur
prise me, but that she should all on a sud
den hand him a large rug, one OF our thick
est, was a move on her part for which was
in no wise prepared, and very much in
clined to resent, especially as he smilingly
accepted it with look at Seraphine which
seemed to say:
you are nice, civil little person, but
your mistress is both rude and inhuman."
And why should have been civil and
considerable, / should like to know, to q
stray man who chose to infict his presence
on me at the risk of catching a severe cold
In bis heads l am not an officer of the
humane society.
He apparently did not care whether Sera-
phins gave him the rug or l did He
tucked himself up most comfortably, and
sitting we'll back in his corner, was very
speedily, to oil appearance fast asleep.
And very handsome he looked, as he re-
clined there sleeping. l could not help reg
istering that fact, though l hated him for
being there at all Evidently Seraphine
was Of my opinion, so far, at all events, as
looks were concerned, for she never took her
eyes Off the sleeper's face. l was longing
to ask her what she was thinking of, but
was afraid any movement on my part
might wake the individual in question
! Stirlng We were there at last, and
pretty loudly, in good broad accent, was
the uame of the place shouted out; but there
was no waking up, no attempt to quit the
carriage on the part of the sleeper. was
! just about to insist on the promise he had
] -, r,,1G LII otfx
started again, and felt that now there was
positively no chance of being free of this
man till we got to Edinburgh then, if no
myself with Seraphine and my luggage to
an hotel
| Once free Of Stirling of course the gen.
tleman knew there would not be another
halt for long while-he WOKE up with:
BLESS my soul, where are We. l really
believe have been asleep"
Yes, sir, and consequently you did not
get out at Stirling as l fully expected you
would have done.
And you were considerable enough not to
wake me- How good of you, but then it is
only what / should have expected"
expect indeed! You have no right to
expect anything from me. Your behavior
( is most"
Again the almost cynical smile played
about the curling Ups. l stopped in my
sentence resolved not to speak to him any
more could have killed him, l felt SO
angry, and to think that l was boxed up
with this man in train going at express
speed. And no help from Seraphine, but
rather the reverse; for by constantly fixing
her eyes on him she certainly contrived to
encourage him Yet felt absolutely sure
that it was me he honored with his hateful
attentions, and that he never gave the smart
little soubrette one single thought He
waited Tor second or two to see if l should
finish my remark about his behavior, and
then be said:
well; tell me what you think of me; rep
resent my character in the very worst
light"
IL don't wish to think Of you at all, my
only object is to be relieved Of your pres
ence."
still that one desre-since you did not
wake me hoped you were relenting."
This mans GOODNESS was past all belief;
never in my life before had met any ono
with half his effrontery. If there was any
chance of taking a citadel by coup de
main, doubtless he was the man to effect it;
but was a wary general and far too well
guarded to be surprised at a weak point
Tor some minutes the train steamed ON
its even way and nothing more was said;
the.l again ne broke the silence, he could
not let me be at peace.
You do not seem to get on with Oily mp
las Wooing," he remarked; land yet it is a
very interesting subject"
did not reply; l felt too angry. This
ceaseless persecution must be making me
hysterical for / did not know whether to
laugh or cry with ve1ation. | believe | did
the latter Till now the bearded intruder
had beeu sitting al the farther end Of the
carriage from me, opposite Seraphine; but
he actually got up and most presumptuously
took the pace opposite me-
what, tears. impossible, l could never
have believed it,
If you are q gentleman, you will"
The rest of the sentence was an historical
sob.
And the strange thing was that Seraphine
did not interfere. She could have set this
man down most thoroughly if she had
chosen; but he seemed absolutely to mesmer-
izs her; ard if she did not actually declare
herself his partisan, at all events she let
things drift, and sat placidly watching the
turn they would take
MY uystcEISNl Ct iH1 ulu SccHl W IuONo
him just little, for he leant back in the
corner opposite to me, and, looking at me
very gravely with his sad eyes, he muir.
INJURED in low tone:
Il am sorry-very sorry"
And SO for a long time We journeyed on:
l occasionally gasping forth a sob; he watch
ing Inc with an interest which, fur1ously an
gered though l was, yet could not help al
lowing to fascinate me; and Seraphine-use
less little fool, thought her passive in her
corner.
Thus we reached Edinburgh, where there
would be wait for some minutes
No sooner had We stopped than he jumped
out on to ths platform
Thank goodness he has gone, and fer
vently hope | shall never see him again
! am not sure that this ejaculation of
mine was quite sincere; the strangeness OF
the adventure had its charm, though |
would scarcely allow it even to myself. l
did not feel angry with Seraphine, however,
when she remarked very quietly:
Il do not think he is gone; my belief is he
will come lack.
And she was right; in a minute or two he
did come back, bringing what appeared .
sumptucus supper in a basket: nothing was
forgotten.
Il don't want it l declare don't want
it, cried impetuou.ly. Favors heapei on
to insults; It was too much TO expect me &c
accept
But again calm endurance prevailed;
without even attempting to argue with me,
he put the basket on the seat and Jumped
into the carriage Just as the train glided ont
of tie stat;ca. In II. most natty way he
laid cut the tempting viands
He has been in the service, or he would
not oe so soo, campaigner, | thought