The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1891-11-27

ulties in complete allegiance, lunatics
hypnotists, Inurderers, etc, IS possible
feilow-travelers had never entered his
mind. As a rule, indeed, his fellow
travellers no more excited his interest
or notice than his near neighbors at
home. On this occasion he was Just
conscious on. leaving the station at
Ostend that an elderly couple were the
other occupants of the carriage. He
merely gave a passing glance from his
newspaper at the man. a stranger,
who got in at Bruges and sat down
on the Oppsite seat.
Nearly an hour had passed before
Brown laid down his paper and glanc-
ed round the carriage. He was think
ing of the parliamentary debate he
had been reading and of the lost ira
diuIons ofgood breeding in I he House of
Commons, and not at all Of his fellow
travellers. when on a sudden his eye
caught that of the man opposite
curiously fixed on HIM. Each becom-
ing aware of the others glance with
drew his at once, not, however, before
Browns attention had been engaged.
Was the man complete stranger, as
he had supposed? Had lie not seen
the face before2 And when?
Where? Or was it merely a Case OF
chance likeness to some acQnaintanCe2
Parliamentary shortcomings passed
from his mind while he rRcked his
brain on the subject. The face was
peculiar, with raight, black whIsk-
ers. During Browns furtive study OF
him from behind the Times the stran-
ger turned his head sharply and the
light from the window STRUCK full on
his face. With suddenness of a flash
Browns memory was Illuminated.
The man opposite was the same who
had stood in. the lamp-light outside
the window in Harley street. There
was no doubt of it-no mistaking the
unusual and remarkable wlliskers. On
n sudden impulse Brown put up his
hand to feel the jewel-case in his
breast-pocEet. AS he did SO his eyes
met those OF the stranger. hNed on
him with a peculiar expression.
BY q chain of reasoning OF which
he felt ashamed, Brown. before reach
ing Brussels, decided on changing his
usual hotel, the Bellevue, for
the less known Nassau. Set
ting out for the latter, he lost sight of
his fellow-traveler on the GRO wded plat
form OF the station.
Fixidity of habit as a creed can rot
be lightly renounCed. Brown was
miserable at the Nassau, simply be-
cause it was not the accustomed Bel
levue. Discomfort with himself and
everything else was the result.
what anrass | have made of my
self about that mani" was the bur
den of his thoughts while smoking his
| after-dinner cigar. His being in the
train was a mere coincidence. he prob
ably has never cast n thought about
me l must walk this nonsense out OF
my brain"
As Brown left the room, he passed
at the door a late guest being ushered
in to solitary dinner. With a GER
tain reguls'on of feeling he recognized
his fellow traveller, the object of his
thoughts.
The earliest train for Cologne next
morning saw Browns departure from
Brussels-an alteration in his usual
program, which always included a day
or two in that bright capital. The
close scrutiny of the train did not
| discover his bugbear; there was no
sign of n man at Cologne.
A tranquil night in his accustomed
hotel restored Browns mental bal
ance. Revereting TO his usual habit,
he took his way by boat up the Rhine.
Spending one night at Mayence, the
following found him at the Three
Kings, in Bale, his last resting place
before Lucetne.
In the pleasant GOODNESS of a moon
light night lie sat on the terrace of the
hotel, overlooking the Rhine. His
mind was undisturbed as the peace
ful scene around. The slight stirring
of sentimentallty inspired by a honey
| incoming couple who sat. near, hold
ing each otljer's hands and whispering
together, could not breed disturbance.
The pale spectral might -have-beens
raised by the sight of welded happi-
ness moved his elderly heart in the
gentlest possible manner. An audible
| sigh escaped him when the departure
of the lovers left him, as he thought,
alone. A slight movement, how
| ever, made him look around,
sentimental reflections. For the first
on the terrace. At the moment this
individual rose from his char, which
stood far back under the veranda,
and moving into the clear moonlight,
paused at the stone balustrade over
looking the river. He remained there
| pensively watching the flowing waters
beneath. To Browns eyes were alb
ruptly revealed the face and figure OF
the man with the black whiskers
The shock was tremendous. It's
suddenness was too much for Brown.
On the moment, without a pause for
| thought, before taking in whether or
not he had himself been seen, he hur-
ried stealthily from the terrace, and,
seeking his room. only breathed freely
again when he was safely locked with
| in.
All the clear reasoning by which he
had convinced himself of the ground
lessness and folly of his alarm ut
| Brussels was now overthrown and
swept out Of sight. He was Swallowed
! by the man below. That was beyond
| n doubt WhOaver he vyaS the sacrat