San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-09-24

"Ah, but that's not all" said she, would
you believe it, that man has followed me ever
since left my house, got on the same boat,
and now here he is on the same train. Oh, If
| only But there, don't let's notice him.
Tell me about your bear hunts and how you
would use your knife ii you saw bear going
to hug me-"
Little Mr.. Tom n. Oddly was trying hard
to remember the most exciting bear adven-
ture he had ever read Of, when the engine
gave a shrill toot.
"Oh, N.Y." cried she, laying her hand on
Ettle Mr.. Tom n. Oddy's arm; 81 do believe
we're going through tunnel"
There was 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's little 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 blackness 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
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 more little Mr..
Tom N. Oddly gave vent 10 his feelings by
saying:
''Confound that lamp"
"Whyl Does it smokes" she asked, with
gentle solicitude in both her look and tone.
mo" he said; but if it had not been lit,
the car would have been dark in the tunnel,
and them
Then, whatF
"Well, one is SO much bolder in the dark, )"
he replied, with Machiavellian evasiveness.
Don't you think you are bold enough in
the lightl" she asked, with captivating arch
ness.
Sometimes" he answered.
There was 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 it nota" she asked.
Little MIR. Tom n. Oddly gave start. mo,
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 hollowr she asked
with curious interest, considering the ap-
parent irrelevancy of the question.
''Stick hollowF' he repeated; yes, it's a
Chinese bamboo; that is with the joints bored
out. Do you wish to examine it''
"No," she answered, with smile like a sun
beam; only was thinking that if the ferrule
or whatever you cali that brass thimble thing
at the end of the stick, were cut off and the
sword removed, it would make a splendid
blow pipe"
well, WELL" he Stammered, confusedly,
what in the world do want of blow pipef"
'Oh, nothing, l suppose" she answered,
with another flash Of smile, ''only l 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 he did so there came another warming
toot from the engine and little smothered
cry from his side
why, here's another tunnel" she cried.
Then, i'll the 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
his mouth to the near end, gave a sharp puff,
and, presto! the car was in what is sometimes
known as Egyptian darkness. There was a
chorus of cries and smacking sounds from all
over the car as the light went out, but little
Mr.. Tom n. Oddly minded none of these, but
turned in a tremble of excitement to snatch
his reward from his captivating companion.
As he flung out his arms to make 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 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 castigation of
that basic order which vigorous mothers
sometimes administer to rebellious sons Then
he was lifted up as suddenly as he had been
drawn down and planted, with a 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
and reading his paper, was the stalwart
young man of the opposite seat.
"How-dare"-little Mr.. Tom n Oddly be-
gan, with a fierce pant, when the young man
turned slowly on him and said, in a ponder.
GUS bass voice:
please accept my thanks for your kind at
tentions to my wife"
your wife!" gasped little Mr.. Tom N
al ] LII