Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-25

the lady, let down the glass and called the
guard.
'sHerei what did you say about the hood7
have seen it mentioned in the paper, but did
not understand that it had been az Merga-
troyd."
at has been in the Keld valley"
"And Mergatroyd Is in that valleyr
where else would you have it, sirT
"But-according to my paper the great Aanr
age was done at Holme BRIDGE
"Well. so it was; the Holme bridge is above
Mergatroyd-"
Philip Pennycomequick drew up the glass
again. Now he understood He had never
been to Mergatroyd in his life, and knew moth
ing about its situation. He had skinned the
account of the food in his paper, buthad given
most of his attention to the narrative Of the
war in France 1t had not occurred to him to
connect the 'loss" of his uncle with the mum
dation. He had supposed the word 'ioss" was
an euphemism for ''going of his head" Elderly
gentlemen do not get lost in England, least Of
all in one of its most densely populated dis
tricts, as If they were In the backwoods or
prairies of America.
But, who sent him the telegram? He had no
relative Of the name of Salome. His aunt,
Mrs. Sidebottom, who was now resident, ~
he knew, at Mergatroyd, was named Louisa,
and she was the person who, he supposed,
would have wired to him if anything serious
had occurred requiring his presence.
His companion was going to Mergatroyd, and
probably knew people there. II he asked her
whether she was aware of a person Of the Pc
culiar Christian name of Salome at that place
it was possible she might inform him. But he
was too reserved and proud to ask He would
not afford this fighty piece Of goods an excuse
for opening conversation with him. In half an
hour he would be at his destination, and would
then have his perplexity cleared.
The train proceeded Ieisurely. Philips feet
were now very cold, and he would have been
grateful for the warmer, but could not now ask
permission to use what he had formerly re-
jected.
As the train proceeded the engine whistled.
There were men working on the line; at in
tervals coal fires were blazing and smoking In
braziers. The train further slackened speed.
Philip Pennycomequick could see that there
was much water covering the country. The
train had now entered the Valley of the Keld,
and was ascending it.
What nuisance it would be were he stopped
and obliged to tarry for some hours till the
road was repaired, tarry in cold and darkness,
without lamp in his carriage, Gagged in with
that pretty. coquettish. dangerous mink, and
with no third party present to serve as his pro.
tector.
The train came to a standstill The young
lady was uneasy. She lowered the glass and
leaned out; and looked along the line at the
flaming fires, the half-illumined navvies, the
steam trailing away and mingling with the
smoke, the fog that gathered over the inuns
dated fields. A raw wind blew in at the open
window
Then up came the guard sharply turned ths
handle and threw open the door. Everyone
get out. The train can 60 no further
All the passengers were obliged to descend,
dragging with them their rugs and bags their,
cloaks umbrellas. novels, buns and oranges
all the piles of impedimenta with which travsi
elers cucumber themselves ona journey, trust
ing to the prompt assistance of mercenary
porters
But on this night, away from any station,
there were no porters. The descent from the
carriage was difficult and dangerous. 1t was
like clambering down ladder of which some
of the rungs were broken. 1t was rendered
doubly difficult by the darkness in which it
had to be effected, and the difficulty was quad
rupled by the passengers having to scramble
down burdened with their effects. It was noe
accordingly performed in silence, but with
screams from women who lost their footing,
and curses and abuses launched against the
Midland from the men.
Mr.. Philip was obliged by common humanity
to assist the young lady out of the carriage,
and to collect and help to carry her manifold
goods; for the civil guard was too deeply en-.
gagged to attend to her. He had received his
fee, and was, therefore, naturally lavishing his
attentions on others. in an expectant mood.
Mr.. Philip Pennycomequick somewhat uu.
graciously advised the companion forced on
his protection to follow him. He engaged to
see her across the dangerous piece of road and
return for those of her wraps and parcels
which he and she were together unable to
transport to the train awaiting them beyond
the faulty portion Of the line.
The walk was most uncomfortable It was
properly not walk but continuous stumble.
To step in the dark from sleeper to sleeper was
not easy. and the flicker of the coal fires dazzled
and confused rather than assisted the sight.
The wind, moreover. carried the dense smoke
in volumes across the line, suddenly envelop-
ing and half sitting, but wholly binding for
the moment the unhappy. bewildered houn.
derers who passed through it. In front glared
the two red lights of an engine that waited
with carriages to receive the dislodged passen-
gers.
''You must take my arm" said Mr. Philip
to his companion. This is really dreadful.
One old lady has, believe. dislocated her
ankle hope she will make claim on the
company"
'"Oh, dear And Salome!-what will she saJra
"Salome?'
"Yes-my sister, my twin sister,"
When Philip Pennycomequick did finally
reach his destination, it was with mind thas
prejudged Salome, and was prejudiced against
her.
ITO be continued merit MondayI