Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-12
LOVE IN A sNOwDRIFT.

Scene: The Departure Platform Of Kings
| Cross Station. Time: $50 am. on q certain
| dull. cold oath of December. The Scotch Elk.
press is getting up steam; piled-up trucks
Of luggage are being whirled rnadly by, We,
| withal with method in their madness, along the
platform. A little crowd is besieging the book.
stall; bawling boys are driving thriving trade
in the morning papers.
| man-servant of weather-beaten aspect evi-
IDENTIFY an old soldier, is waiting his masters
| coming. with coats and wraps, outside first
class carriage. 1t is already occupied by an
ancient eeelcsiastic, who has reached the
dignity of silken hose; lady in black, scarcely
past her premiere jeunesse; and boy of
twelve or thirteen, who treats the absent travel
er's impedimenta to a close scrutiny, and has
time TO read the name, Colonel Pomeroy,
Wessex Regt., boldly blazoned in white upon
portmanteau and hat-box, before the arrival Of
their owner.
He came up at last with a quick, command
ing tread. A tall. soldierly figure, with close
cropped head, and keen eyes looking out from
under dark. straight brows, which, like the
heavy moustachios, were already tinged with
gray. The man-servant stepped forward,
saluting. Everything is in. sir.'
His master frowned. isn't there an empty
compartment, Gough?"
mo, sir; the train is very full this morning;
but believe most Of them get out at York.
indicating the occupants Of the carriage with a
jerk of his elbow.
Very well. Give me my ulster; it's bitterly
cold"
As the bell sounded he stepped into the car
riage, figure clad from head to foot in rough
gray frieze; and, eschewing the neighborhood
of the old churchman, seated himself opposite
the lady in black, whose thick gossamer travel
ing veil revealed little of her features. The lad
al haai A.h or and x%xv 4
boyish devotion to his rail-looking companion,
who seemed full young to be his mother. Yet
such was the relationship between them.
Colonel Pomeroy settled himself in his corner
with the deliberate attention to comfort of an
old traveller, exchanged his hat for a deer
stalker cap, wrapped his ulster coat and car
rage rug well over his legs. unfolded his
Times, and gave no more thought to his silent
travelling companions who rarely, very rarely,
exchanged a word. Yet the boy sat with visit
full eyes fixed upon his smother; and the mother,
putting out tiny hand, took her sons within
it and clasped it closely. They were quite free
from observation. The colonel was absorbed
in Randolph Churchill's latest philippe, the
ecclesiastic was occupied in mentally arranging
his moves at the next chapter meeting, as the
express rushed on hour after hour through the
dreary winter landscape.
The colonel put down his paper at last, con-
suited his watch, and rejoiced that he had run
through already nearly four hours of his Jour
ney. I'VE are nearing York." he said, half
aloud: Mother and son exchanged chances,
Col. Pomeroy interceptedthe look and began
to feel the languid, half insouciant interest in
his fellow-travelers which we take in the COM
panions of day. He offered his Times.
The lady declined 1t with SMILE Thank
You, not at present. My son and 1 separate at
York.
The voice was sweet and low. and matched
well with the fragile form. 1t struck some note
In the soldiers memory. and sent him into a
reverie as he leaned back with folded arms in
his corner. Presently he took a letter from his
pocket and began toreperuse ii, for in the hurry
had been very superficial. It was in a woman .
hand, and the pith of it lay in this paragraph:
Jack and hope you will turn up before the
Christmas season is quite over. We have not
spent 1T together since those merry days at
Blithedale before poor Alison Kerr's unlucky
marriage, when you and she were the life Of
the party. You know her spendthrift husband
Is dead. But more of this anon. When YOU
come John wants you to look at Ravensden,
which is in the market Just now. Why don't
You buy the place and settle near US? We
shall neither OF us rest till you are mar
ried and as happy as We are. / know Of Just
the woman to suit you. She is a great friend
OF mine. and shall be dreadfully disappointed
if you don't fall in love with each other directly
yOu meet"
n, gay1nR TO
himself. inwardly: mo. no. Fool that ami
My idiotic consistency stands between me and
that sort OF thing. Emmie is the kindest-
hearted little woman in the world, but she'll
never snow me any one to Danish Allie Kerr
from my memory And he fell amusing
again; reverie so retrospective and interest
ing that it ended only as the train glided slow
ly across the levels about York, and entered
the busy station with shrill shrieks and
screams.
The boy took traveling-bag and baize-
covered cricket bat from the rack above and
turned to his mother. Her veil was thrown
back now. and disclosed a pale. wistful face
As the train stopped she clasped him in her
arms, whispering: Goodbye, Hubert! nv own
dear boy! Write often and tell me every-
thing"
Goodbye. little mother! If thew don't
make you happy, I'll settle themr
A parting hug and Hubert sprang down, but
still fingered near the carriage. tall. stout
gentleman passing along the platform looked
scrutinlZingiy at him, passed on, paused, re-
turned and peered into the compartment.
Ion! there You are; was looking for ydh
among the second-class passengers"
The colonel, who was preparing to get out
and stretch his legs, heard the remark and its
answer.
''And there You would have found us but for
my cousin kindness in Thanking us. Hubert,
come here and make your uncles acquaint-
ance."
HIM. So this is Hubert! Nothing of the
Lloyds about him. Favors you in appearance
/ see."
Thank you, SIR" smiled Hubert, holding
out his hand. though Mr.. Lloyd. perhaps, had
not intended the remark for a compliment.
We'll. boy, at any rate, hope you'll be
credit to our kindness. If you have any bag
gage. look 1T up and make the porter take il
out to my trap. I'm we'll known here"
He drew himself up with much self-import-
ance. bestowing a condescending look on the
colonel as he alighted, lit a cigar, and strolled
away. But when the ecclesiastic appeared his
manner was changed. 'Ah! Mr.. Archdeacou.
let me help you. Are these your rugs? Cold
day for Journey"
With parting nod to his sister -in-law. he
walked away to see the dignitary to his car
riage; and Hubert's mother blessed the arch
deacon in her heart, as presently her boy came
flying back for II last word. The colonel, who
had driven it rather close, returned lust in
time to witness this second leave taking be-
tween mother and son. Perhaps something
sympathetic in the soldiers eye emboldened
the boy, for as the guard came MP with his kew
Hubert bent forward and touched the colonel 3
arm, saying eagerly, 'Oh, sir! take care of my
mother"
She glanced up at Pomeroy with tremulous
smile almost of apology: Poor boy! We have
never been separated before"
He Is going to school?''
him home"
The gentleman who spoke to Won inst now2''
Yes and she sighed Evidently the offer
was not unmitigated good fortune.
A shrill shrek from the engine. the ouard
gives the signal and the xro,,, "a