The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1888-04-17
THE END OF A JOURNEY.

The l1OughtOn landau drew up at the
station, and Louise alighted with her
friend, Sybil Travers. The latter young
lady, clad in a gray Mother Hubbard,
and wearing pretty poke bonnet piled
high with ostrich feathers, was the very
picture of elegance. Louise was lit
tic, insignificant thing, and she appear
ed less attractive than ever as she made
her way to the waiting-room alongside
Of her distinguished-lo looking friend,
sit is too absurd, Sybil," she said, as
they sat together In a remote corner,
enjoying last confidential chat before
Miss Travers left for the West. '"The
idea of your posting off to San Fran
cisco all alone, simply because harm
less youth promises to come this way,
and to act as your escortl''
1T is only three weeks earlier than l
meant to 20 anyhow" said Sybil, stout
". "You know why l prefer to go
alone, Louise. You see Uncle Jerry has
made up his mind that propinquity is
the only thing necessary to make Mr..
Valleau and myself fall madly IN love
with each other. He fancies that a trip
across the continent is especially we'll
calculated to bring about that much
desired result. But I don't see it that
way. l know very we'll that should
hate Mr.. Valleau from the outset. l
should feel bound to do it just for con-
trariety. So, you see, I prefer to go
home few weeks earlier, and to go
alone; for If I did wait for Mr.. Valleau,
as Uncle Jerry wished me to, and if l
failed to fall in love with him, you
know very we'll that it would be impos-
sible for me to explain the phenomenon
satisfactorily. AS it is, can smooth
matters over easily"
"IIow far-sighted you are, Sybil,
Louise said, laughing. 'Mr. Valleau
will be terribly disappointed, though,
fear. But there's your train, dear.
Good-by. Write to me as soon as you
arrive
Then followed considerable girlish
demonstration, which provoked a smile
on the lips of a nonchalant young trav-
eler who reclned at his ease before one
OF the windows of a parlor car, and
who had been watching Louise and
Sybil with interest.
"A very handsome girl, by Jovel" was
his mental comment as Sybil took her
seat just behind him, and the mirror at
the end Of tho car enabled him to COM
mand "a full view of her face. 81 won
dor bpy,r fo al, 10
There was no means Of ascertaining
just chen, but when the conductor came
through the Car. and the young man
presented his ticket to which were at
tacheda long string of coupons running
all the way from New York to- San
francisco, he noted with satisfaction
that Sybil had one like it.
"a through passenger" he observed.
81 wonder who she is2 Travelling alone
too; but evidently lady. She must be
californian, but she looks like New
Yorker" etc.
The young mans fancy ran riot, and
all the while he kept his eyes liked on
the mirror in which was reflected Sybil's
lovely face with it's rich warm colorinp.
and its beautiful frame of ripping hair.
Very often their eyes met, as was only
natural; but Sybil had wonderful COM
posure for so young girl, and the look
Of serenity, she continued to wear rather
chagrined the handsome stranger, who
had entertained a hope, innocent enough
in It's nature, that the long ride over
the plains might be enlivened with
piquant Irritation.
"Pallas Atliene," he said. regretful-
ly. beautiful, but susceptible Of no
passion that is not animated by rea.
son.
Such conclusion might have been
rather hasty, but it appears that this
aggressive young man III an ulster and