Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-12
ghe Daily eagle ThndaY grormng September IL

little Mr.. Tom N. Oddy's arm; II do believe
we're going through tunnel"
There YVES no doubt about it, and with an
other toot the engine plunged into the long,
black hole A wild, wicked hope leaped up
in little Mr.. Tom N. Oddy'slittle mind, but
it only lived moment, for there, directly
over the next seat, was hung lighted lamp.
1t only burned dimly, and the light it gave
out in the blaclness Of the tunnel was very
| faint, but it was quite enough to stay little
Mr.. Tom n. Oddly from doing the desperate
thing he had contemplated. He could see the
pale outline of her face and two lustrous
spots, which showed where her eyes were
cleaning; but SO, too, he could see the oval
| of that fellows face across the way, and was
| very sure that in the upper half Of that oval,
| Just where it was cut by the dark line Of the
hat brim, there were two other eyes which
were fixed very persistently in his direction.
There was no use trying to talk against the
roar Of the tunnel. but when they were clear
of it and in the light once moro little Mr..
Tom n. Oddly gave vent to his feelings By
saying:
"Confound that lanp!"
"Whyi Does it smoker she asked with
| gentle soicitude in both her look and tone.
NO." he said; ''but if it had not been lit,
the car would have been dark in the tunnel,
and then"-
Then, what?'
"WelI, one is SO much holder in the dark"
he replied, with Machiavellian evasiveness.
Don't you think you are bold enough in
! the light?" she asked, with captivating arch
! ness.
Sometimes" be answered.
! There was a short silence, during which
! little Mr. Tom n. Oddly brought his diamond
ring into better view, and attempted to find
out whether her feet were On the floor or on
the rest bar.
THAT is the only tunnel on this part of the
road is ii notg" she asked.
Little Mr.. Tom Y. Oddly gave start. sNo,
indeed" he said, there are three more be-
tween this and San Rafael"
She sat quietly again, looking pensively at
her folded hands.
SIS your sword stick hollowg' she asked
with curious interest, considering the ap-
parent irrelevancy of the question.
''Stick hollowf' he repeated; Eyes, it's
Chinese bamboo; that is with the joints bored
out. Do you wish to examine itf'
NO." she answered, with smile like sun
beam; ''only was thinking that if the ferrule,
or whatever you call that brass thimble thing
at the end of the stick, were cut off and the
sword removed, it would make splendid
blow pipe"
well, well, he stammered, confusedly,
''wha5 in the world do want of a blow pipel"
ooh, nothing, suppose she answered,
with another fash of smile, ''only I was
thinking, also, that If any one had such a
blow pipe it would just about reach from
here to that lamp, and that little, well di-
rected puff would blow it out without any
one being the wiser"
"Oh, you angel" said little Mr.. Tom N.
Oddly, and, with two motions, he whipped
out the sharp sword blade and slashed OFF the
ferule.
AS be did so there came another warning
toot from the engine and little smothered
cry from his side.
why, here's another tunnel" she cried.
Then, in Che gathering darkness, little Mr..
Tom n. Oddly cunningly laid the bamboo
tube along the side Of the car until the fur
Their end was just under the lamp glass, set
mis- mouth to the near end, gave a sharp puff,
and, prestol the car was In what is sometimes
known as Egyptian darkness. There was a
chorus of cries and snacking sounds from all
over the car as the light went out, but little
Mr.. Tom n. Oddly minded none of these, but,
turned in trembie of excitement to snatch
his reward from his captivating companion.
As he flung out his arms 30 nalea prisoner
of the dainty beauty at his side, they were
seized by two handsof iron, and then little
Mr.. Tom N. Oddly felt himself irresstfbIy
drawn down and doubled up over two I'M
doubtedly male knees. Then one of those
iron hands was swiftly drawn away, and, be-
fore little Mr. Tom N. Oddly knew what was
happening, he was treated to a castig stion of
that basic order which vigorous mothers
sometimes administer to FebelIous sons Then
he was lifted up as suddenly as he had been
drawn down and planted, with jerk, in bis
corner. Before he had recovered his breath
the train was rushing into the daylight once
more, and there, sitting quietly at his side
and reading his paper, was the stalwart
young man of the opposite seat.
Observation-Disclosures Mr.. Tom y. Oddly be-
gan, with a fierce pant, when the young man
turned slowly on him and said, in d ponder
GUS bass voice:
please accept my thanks for your kind at
tentions to my wife"
Your wifel" gasped little Mr.. Tom n.
Oddly, and, glancing wildly across the aisle,
he saw the lovely creature sitting demurely
in the young mans seat. Demurely only for
a moment, however, for then merry,
wicked light sprang into those ravishing
eyes, and
The lady sniled--Thomas ]. Vivian in
The Argonaut.