The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-10-03

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 persistently in his dr.
rection. There was no use trying to
talk against the roar Of the tunnel, but
when they were clear of it aud in the
light once more little Mr.. Tom N. Oddly
gave vent to his feelings by saying
"Confound that lamp !" ...I.
"Why Does it smoke ?" she asked,
with gentle solioitude 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 p
"Well, one is 80 much bolder in the
dark he replied, with Machiavelian
evasiveness.
DON'T you think you are bold enough
in the light p she asked, with captivat-
ing archness.
"Sometimes," he answered.
There was a short silence, during
which little Mr.. Tom N. Oddly brought his
diamond ring into better view, and at
tempted 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 IL not ?" she asked.
Little Mr.. Tom N. Oddly gave start.
"No, indeed" he said; "there are three
more between this aud San Rafael"
She sat quietly again, looking pensive-
ly at her folded hands.
SIS your sword-stick hollow ?" she
asked, with curious interest, without
considering the apparent irrelevancy Of
the question.
"Stick hollowl" he repeated. eyes,
it's Chinese bamboo-that ia, with the
joints bored out. Do you wish to exam
inc it p
.No," she answered, with smile like
a sunbeam, "only, was thinking that II
the ferule, or whatever you call that
brass thimble thing at the end OF the
stick, were cut off and the sword re-
moved 1t would make a splendid blow
pipe"
"Well, WE'LL" he stammered, confus-
edly, "what in the world do want OF
blow pipe"
"Oh, nothing, l suppose" she an
swered, with another fash OF smile,
"only was thinking, also, that il any
one had such blow pipe it would just
about reach from here to that lamp, ,and
that little, well-directed puff would
blow it out without any one being the
WISER"
"Oh, you angel" said Mr.. Tom N.
Oddly and with two motions he whipped
out the sharp sword blade and slsshed
off the ferule.
AS he did so there came another warn.
ing toot from the engine and a little
smothered cry from his side.
"Why, here's another tunnel" she
cried.
Then, in the gathering darkness, Little
Mr.. Tom N. Oddly cunningly lad the
bamboo tube along the size OF the cal
until the further end was just under the
lamp glass, set his mouth to the near end
gave sharp puff, and, presto the cal
was in what is sometimes known at
Egyptian darkness. There was a chorus
of cries and smacking sounds from al
over the car as the light went out, bu
little Mr.. Tom N. Oddly minded none o
these, but turned in a tremble Of excite
ment to snatch his reward from his cap
tivaLing companion.
As he flung out his arms TO make &
prisoner of the dainty beauty at his side
they we're seIzed by two hands OF iron
and then Mr.. Tom N. Oddly felt himself
irresistibly drawn down and doubled NJ
over two undoubted male knees. Ther
one of those iron hands was swiftly
drawn away, and before little Mr.. Tom
N. Oddly knew what was happening, hi
was treated to a castigation OF that basi'
order which vigorous mothers some
, times administer to rebellious sons
Then he was lifted up as suddenly as h'
had been dra 4n down and planted, Will
Jerk, in his corner. Before he had re-
covered his brea'h h the train was rushing
into the daylight once more. and there
citing quietly at his side and reading
his paper, was the stalwart young mar
of the opposite seat.
"How w-dare'-lillle Mr.. Tom N. Oddly
began, with a fierce pant. when th'
; young man turned slowly on him anC
said, in ponderous bass voice
"Please accept my thanks for you
kind attentions to my wife.
"Your wife T. gasped little Mr.. Ton
N. Oddly, and, glancing wildly acros
the aisle, he say the lovely creature SIT
ting demurely in the young mans seat
Demurely only for moment, however
! for then a merry, wicked light sprant
into those ravishisg eyes, and
The lady smiled Thomas j. Vtutd'
in the Argondut.