Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-28

thing"
These tho three remarks consequens
on the scrutinizing of the six eyes, and
about as true al are most of the blind
remarks made upon fellow-travelers In
the totally unsuggestive atmosphere Of
q waiting-room, enduring those inter
minable minutes between trains coming
and trains going.
"Now, Miss Chester, this is our
train"
Lima was leaning back in the corner
of couch. looking before her with eyes
that saw nothing OF this room and its
occupants, when Sir Neil's quiet words
aroused her. He had taken up the rug
and thrown it over one arm, the other
was offered her. Her steps tottered
feebly as she rose-after the rest the
WEAKNESS was more evident than before
but still she passed the offered hand
again, and walked from the room as
steadily ss she could.
Once more, away from those staring
ewes. she entreated to be left. But this
entreaty was as unavailing as the last
had been.
"Your seats, sir. I've taken care Of
them"
The porter, who had had the ''grandee"
In his eye all through the previous half
hour, came forward now, fearing that il
the lady fingered there, the train might,
after all, go without them. Such pity
as that would be, after taking four
tickets.
In the farther corners of the carriage
ct which Sir Neil and Lima stopped, two
ladies sat luxuriously buried in snawls
and rugs two quiet, experienced lady
travellers.
"Now lock the door," said Sir Neil,
slipping a half-crown into the mans
hand, when he and Lima were in, and
he had again made her comfortable in
his furs; II have taken the rest Of
the carriage"
"f know, sir" put in the guard,
coming up and turning the key ~
am aware, sir Have you all you
"Ali right" CURLY replied Sir Neil,
who had piled the hot-water tins one
upon another for q high footstool for
Lima.
Churchill, you said, didn't you, sir
There's no need to bother you again
until then. The other ladies 60 still
farther north"
eyes," answered Neil, who had taken
care to ascertain this fact before he took
Lna's place.
Then he settled himself in his seat,
and opened the evening paper and,
somehow, as they sped on, Lima grew
conscious how thoughttully he was TAX
ing care of her through this journey.
The presence of the ladies prevented
any reference to exciting themes, and
was, too, Just the companionship she
wished yet it was relief to know that
no one else could join them. and no in
ouisitive eyes probe her as those had
done at Euston, 1t was great relief to
her, too, that Sir Neil still lounged in
his own seat, with his old lazy insouci-
0rce, the lappets of his high seal-skin
cap down over his ears, and the paper
still held between his eyes and hers.
1t was not until the night journey was
nearly over that suddenly all this
thought was effaced for a moment only
by one chance glance at the quiet Saxon
face. Oh why was she there with him,
going to help to kill Gerard? He was
cruel to have brought her with him
cruel, as he always had been to her.
He knew she was alone and unprotected.
He knew she was in his power, and he
had sought her out to give her the bit
terest task of all her bitter life. He had
been cruel to her always-always even
more cruel than he had been to every
one else; selfish and heartless. He
The affianced husband of a lady q thou
sand times better and nobler and truer
than himself; the son of the mistress
who had paid her for her services just
as she paid her servants; the man who
had begged her to accompany him from
his own house, where he was even then
entertaining his betrothed wife He to
protect her now
Care what care had any one for her?
All, if Rachel had only been spared
If Heaven did not always claim the
good and merciful, and leave those who
had no pity and compassion
Athwart this dark, rebellious thought,
there fell soft rays of light for Lima.
She recalled the old woman in her cot
tage among the hills. She recalled
Marjorie's warm, trustful sympathy.
She recalled Col. Stuart's goodness to
her and to Gerard; but this thought
bordered SO closely on her one over
mastering fear that she hid her face in
the corner of the carriage, and wept for
the first time through all the hours Of
that interminable day.
Not one movement did Neil make
toward her through this silent weeping,
though it hurt and panied him as no
woman's weeping had ever panied him
in his life before. Not one word did he
attempt of consolation or sympathy, and,
for the first time, he acted with a real
thoughtfulness in his courtesy.
Churchill.
The name that had grown familiar to
Lima through the past summer struck on
her ear now like knell.
"That's right, said Sir Neil, with an
effort at cheeriness, as he rose and took
the wraps gently from about Lima. 'It
is only just midnight now, Miss Ches.
ter; tiresome journey, but it hasn't
taken us very long, and-1 declare heres
Mrs. Esdaile."
The tone was the same tone through.
out the speech, to all seeming light and
cheering, though in reality anxious and
troubled; but at the last words, uttered
in feigned surprise, Lina's whole face
frightened with a sudden gladness; mo-
mentary only, perhaps, but 80 vivid thai
Neil, when he saw it, rejoiced in hi
heart that he had had the thought K