The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-17

she opened it, "the card is not here after
all, must have lost it; but l can re-
member the name, guess. Let me see,
Bell, Bell-Bellville; that's it, I think.
Is there such placcI'
Mr.. Coddleman said that there was,
and told her furthermore that she must
change at the next station, and that he
himself would put her on the other train
Mr.. Coddleman was by nature retiring,
bat the lonely position of the lady and
her trust in him inspired him with the
idea that he must make himself agree
able; in which he succeeded so well that
it seemed but moment before the juno
ton was reached.
"Oh, really this is too much!" she ex-
pcstulated. as he loaded himself with her
baggage; 81 can't think of allowing ycu
to carry all of it."
"Do not speak of it, madam; it is
nothing at all, he painted, from beneath
his load of bags and shawl straps.
They had crossed the station and
boarded the other train, when Mr.. Cod
dlemau, happening to turn, he saw his
wife standing on the platform of the car
he had just left, with hard, cold look
on her face that BODIED no good for
him.
He was aghast; she had seen part but
not all, and evidently thought he was
going off with q strange woman. He
must hasten back to explain her mistake.
But first he must get rid of his load and
likewise of the lady. He therefore hur-
ried after her, found her a seat, and ex-
cused himself as quickly as possible; but
before he could leave the train, it was in
motion; and By the time he reached the
platform, it was moving at q good rate
of speed.
Mr.. Coddleman was inclined to be
stout, and, moreover, was much furrled,
and this fact, coupled with an absolute
ignorance of the laws of moving bodies,
may account for his jumping with both
feet together, and in the opposite direc-
ton from which the train was moving.
The result of this manGuyre was compli-
Gated series of somersaults, which landed
him in heap on the floor of the station;
from which he gathered himself up just
in time to see his own train disappear in
the distance. This involved a three
hours wait during which he meditated
on the events of the afternoon and the
reception that awaited him at home.
1t was after ten at night when he at
last. weary and worn, reached his house.
1t took him little while to summon up
courage to enter.
In the parlor sat bis wife, bolt upright
in a chair by the table, reading the fam
lily Bible-an ominous sign.
'My DEAR" he faltered, in his meek
est tones, ~ missed my train, and have
just arrived. I trust you have not been
worrying about me-"
Mrs. Coddlcman on his entrance slowly
closed the Bible, laid it on the table,
folded her hands before her, and waited.
Matthias began to get nervous. "Has
has not your sister come, my love-" he
asked hesitatingly.
"Wretch!" returned his spouse, and
dissolved into tears.
"What is the matter, my angelo" he
inquired, in a vain attempt to appear at
case.
sMonsterl" she calculated, and swept
by him, out of the room and upstairs,
and this was the extent of their converse
ton for that night. BY personal obser-
vation he discovered that her sister had
not yet arrived, but of the circumstances
he could learn nothing.
At breakfast the next morning, Mrs.
Coddlcma1 wore the expression of q
martyr undergoing torture; she poured
the coffee with a Christian resignation
beautiful to see; and the manner IN
which she passed her husband the butter
would have brought tears to the eyes OF
the most hardhearted. Mr.. Coddleman
determined to make bold break, and
summoning up all his courage, addressed
his wife:
"My dear" he said, 'sI fear you did
not rightly understand the events of yes
terday; in short, that, that"
"No explanation can avail, Matthias,
saw it ALL"
"Saw al! what, my love-
"Do not attempt to deny it. I saw
you when you passed through the rear
car, though you did not see me; I fol-
lowed you into the front one to speak to
you, and you meet that odious woman
by appointment, I've no doubt. saw
you devote yourself to her, and finally so
off with her, don't know where. 1t is
we'll for her that I was without my
glasses and could not see her to know
her, Or"
Just at this moment carriage laden
with trunks drove up to the door.
"Therc is your sister, my love" said
Matthias. "For heavens sake, don't
let's have family row just as she is ar
| irving.
"Cowardw replied his wife, and left
the room. Mr.. Coddleman groaued, and
awaited results in the dining room. He
now heard the voice of his sister-in-law
in the hall; it sounded familiar.
"My darling, what happiness this
is!" she cried. "I thought I should
never get here, for could not find you
at the station, and one of the stupidest
men you ever saw offered to help me, and
put me on the wrong train, and sent me
off ever so far. got the name of your
town mixed up, to be sure, and told him
1 wanted to go to Bcllville instead of Bell
mont; but he ought to have known even
if didn't; men are so dull.-why, that's
the very manw she gasped, as she en-
tered the dining room; "who is he2"