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

ment with his head, which said unmistakably
that he invited no further condolences.
This she accepted, and turned her face to
look out of the opposite window
At that moment the brake was put on, and
sent thrill through the carriage. Presently
the train stopped. The face of the guard ap-
peared at the window. and the little lady at
once lowered the glass.
How are you getting on, miss%
"verywell,I L thank you; but you ihust not call
me miss; I am married woman. 1 have left
my husband in France fighting like lion, and
L am sent away because the Prussians are rob-
bing and burning and numbering wherever
they go. know lady near Nogent from
whose chateau they carried of an ormulu
clock" How unnecessary it was for her to en-
ter into these details to the guard, thought the
gentleman. He could not understand how
poor little heart full of trouble would long to
pour itself out; how that certain natures can
no more exist without sympathy than can
plants without water.
Don't you think, guard. that the English
Government ought to interferef'
well, ma'am, that depends on how it would
affect trafic-on the Midland. Where are you
going. if / may ask?''
'Mergatroyd."
"There has been food. and the embankment
of the railway has been washed away. For
lines, and now we are ordered to go along un-
common leisurely."
"But oh! guard, there is, I trust, no danger"
''No, ma'am, none in the least; I'll take care
that you come by no hurt. The worst that can
happen is that we shall be delayed, and per
haps not be able to proceed the whole way in
the same train. But rely on me, ma'am, I'll see
to you"
"Oh, guard, would you-yould you mind? 1
have here little bottle of nice Saint Julien,
and have not been able to touch it myself.
Would you mind taking it? Also, here-here.
under the bottle"
She slipped some money into his hand.
The guards red face beamed broad and be-
nignant. He slipped the money into his waist
coat pocket, the bottle he slowed away else
where; then thrusting his head inside, he said
confdentially: "Never fear. Pn make it all
right for you, ma'am."
When the lady. who was none other than
Janet, the twin sister of Salome, mentioned
Mergatroyd as her destination, the eyebrows
of her fellow passenger were slightly lifted.
He was looking out of the opposite window to
that at which she conversed with the guard.
Now he knew that he would not be rid of his
companion for the rest of the journey, for he
also was on his way to Mergatroyd. There was
but single subject Of comfort to him, that the
distance to Mergatroyd was no longer great,
and the time taken over it, in spite of the hint
of the guard, which he discounted, could not
be great either.
The short November day had closed in; and
the remainder of the journey would be taken
in the park. The lamps had not yet been
lighted in the carriage. To the west he could
see through the window the brown light of the
set day, the last rays of wintry sun arrested
by factory smoke. The gentleman was Uneasy.
If the dromedary will not voluntarily enter the
cage of the vulture, he will not remain in it in
darkness with her without tremors.
when do you think, sir. that I shall reach
Mergatroyd?" asked the young lady.
THAT is question impossible for me to an
swer," replied the gentleman. "As you heard
from your friend" he emphasized this word
and threw sarcasm into his expression, ''the
guard. there are conditions, about which I
know nothing. which will interfere with the
punctuality of the train"
Then he fumbled in his pocket, drew forth
an orange-colored envelope, from this took a
scrap Of pink paper, and by the expiring even
ing light read the telegraphic message in large
pencil marks.
"Your uncle lost. Come at once. Salome."
Salome!-who was Salome?
He replaced the paper in the envelope. which
was addressed Philip Pennycomequick, care
Messrs. Pinch & Squeeze, Solicitors, Noting
ham.
The message was brief one-too brief to be
ineligible.
Lost-how was Mr.. jeremiah Pennycome-
quick lost?
When the train drew up at small station
the young man returned to the down side, by