Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-11-08

gave out in the darkness OF the tun-
mel was very faint, but it was quite
enough TO stay little Mr.. Tom y.
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 the upper half of that oval,
just where ii was cut by the dark
line of the hat-brim, there were two
other eyes which were fixed very per-
sistently 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 more,
little Mr.. Tom n. eddy gave vent to
his feelings by saying
"Confound that lamp
why? Does it smoke?" she asked,
with gentle solicitude 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?'
well, one is so much bolder in the
dark he replied with Machiayelian
evasiveness.
Don't you think you are bold
enough in the light?' she asked, with
captivating archness.
Sometimes he answered.
There was a short silence.
THAT was the only tunnel on this
part of the road, is it not?" she asked.
Little Mr.. Tom n. Oddly gave a
start. No, indeed, he said; there
are three more between this and San
Rafael"
She sat quiet again, looking pen
sively at her folded hands.
rs your sword-stick hollow she
asked. "Yes, it is Chinese bamboo
that is, with the joints bored out DO
No she answered, with a smile
like sunbeam, "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 a
splendid blow-pipe."
" Ill ha IN
fusedly; what in the world do you
know of a blow-pipe?"
"Oh, nothing, | suppose" she all
swered, with another flash Of smile;
only | was thinking, also, that If any
one had such blowpipe that would
lust about reach from here to that
lamp. and that little well-directed
puff would blow it out without any
one being wiser"
"Oh, you angelr' said little Mr.. Tom
n. Oddly; and with two motions he
whipped out the sharp sword-blade
and slapped off the ferrule.
AS he 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 the gathering darkness,
little Mr.. Tom n. Oddly, cunningly
laid the bamboo tube along the side
of the car until the further end was
just under the lamp glass, set his
mouth TO the near end, gave sharp
puff, and presto the car was in what
is sometimes known as Egyptian
darkness. There was chorus oi
cries and smacking sounds from al
over the car as the light went out but
little Mr.. Tom n. Oddly minded none
of these, but turned in tremble of
excitement to snatch his reward from
his captivating companion.
AS he flung out his arms to make a
prisoner Of the dainty beauty at his
side they were seized by two hands Of
iron, and then little Mr.. Tom n. Oddly
felt himself irresistibly drawn down
and doubled up over two undoubtedly
male knees. Then one of those iron
hands was swiftly drawn away, and,
before little Mr. Tom \. Oddly knew
what was happening, he was treated
to a castigation of that basic order
which vigorous mothers sometimes
administer to rebellious sons. Then
he was lifted mp as suddenly as he
was drawn down and planted, with
Jerk, in his corner Before he had
recovered his breath the train was
rushing into the daylight once more,
and there, sitting quietly at his side
reading his paper, was the stalwart
young man of the opposite seat.
"How-dare-,n little Mr. Tom \.
Oddly began with fierce pant, when
the young man turned slowly on him
and said, in a ponderous bass voice;
please accept my thanks for your
kind attention to my wife,"
Your wifer' gasped little Mr.. Tom
Y. Oddly, and glancing wildly across
the aisle, he saw the lovely creature
sitting demurely in the young mans
seat. Denurely only for a moment,
however, for then a merEy, wicked
light sprang into those ravishing eyes,
and
The lady smiled.
A business man with no advertise