New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-15
AN EXPRESS IDYLL.

Scene. York Station. Time p IN; The south
Express, known commonly as The Flying Scotc1-
man. is at the platform, steam engine attacheu'
and on the point of starting
He has taken his seat, and is snugly ensconced
in the far end OF iirst-ciass comparatively. lie
is straight from the mOors-the autos, ueer-
stalker cap, gun-case in rack, show that gehte-
man. Young, welborn, we-tO-do-all these are
indicated by his bright handsome face arlsocratlG
features. ana altogether prosperous, sellSa'Sneu
iIc-There-3 30! Safe TO be alone as far as
Gantham l think l may smoke taxes ouo
cl.arettecase and lights up. Suddenly the car
riagc door is thrown OPEN
Guard (franticaly)-1n with you, miss-train
is moving All right TO engine driver. WmStles.y
Size failing into her place like bundle of
old clothesJ-Ah! jhystericallyJ Oh, what fool
I've been! Bursts into paroxysm Of tears
lie mentally. interested at opce)-My word !;
Examines her attentiveyD Quite the little
lady too! Neat turnout good tit. That Jacket
is Paris built I'm sure and those ttT ne eGgu les
for a Chinee Wish l could see her face
She raising her head and with quick gesture gesture
il hurt herj-Oh the cur To think ! should
have believed in him. trusted him The coward
lie cmentally)-Theres him in it then. bad
lot. too. / take il. to have ill-used so sweet a
her" Clear skin. nice face, and what eyes !
meet Hope you do not mind taloud. with an
almost imperceptiple wave OF ,he cigaretteJ
She iabsenty)-Alnd what? YOU (aorupuyJ
lie meeklyj-I meant the smoke. I never pre-
sumed TO think you would object to me or my
presence here Besides, it's not my fault quite
She-Oh. I'm sure don't care! Why should |
care--for anything? I'm far too miserable "a
fierce Sob
seem in terrible trouble is there anything /
can do for you?, l hardly, like to intrude, but
no man-no gentleman-could see lady In such
distress without Offering his help.
She gratefully. but with fresh tears)-YOu are
very good, very kind; but if sou would please
leave me alone-leave me TO my own thoughts
Ile-They cannot be pleasant thoughts. I'm sure.
Far better LOOK at the papeTy WI YOU have
>hc-I could not see to read them. thank you.
lie-Then let me talk 10 you Rises and moves
\ q seat nearer
Y She-No, no; you must not talk to me !
\ don't know who you are. I've never seen you :;
IIe-Iet me introduce myself then. My name
Is Fitz-Hugh.
She-Thats not enough. Some one else must
lie raising his hand TO the communicated
Shall l stop the train and get the guard to in
trodnce me lie knows me.
She Laughing. in spite 0f herscf-NO please.
That would make Us both look ridiculous. |
will accept the inevitable / know some Fitz.
lpfhsAa ,d p1n i"ot Id don't like o them
relations of mine. What part Of the country?
She-Oh. near us; near But have hardly
from my guardian; it is he who is always abusing using
them. They are such disagreeabe neighbors he
says the mother gives herself such airs, and
the sons are stuck up.
Hc-That must be painful for them Are
there many of them, and are they all like that
She7Three or four are. | don't know about
has much. He owns the estates. has the title.
bat he's always away, shooting or travelling about
the world d.. Hes half wild man. believe.
sorry to resemble him. And don't think Pm at
81 stuck p pp 80 your guardian hard hates the Ftz
She-I daresay. He's horrid. / can't bear
him!
IIc-Won't let you do foolish things, perhaps ?
She tblushes crimson-What do you mean {?
Ilc-You'vc just been doing something foolish
haven't you? ! don't want to presIrrne-I would
not force your confidence for the world-but you
kcow, confession is good for the soul.
She tstill scaret-I certainly shall tell YOU
rOthing! l wonder how you dare 10 ask! You
arc taking very great liberty. think you are
exceedingly rude
He--No-indeed no Nothing was further from
my intentions. only thought might be able t.
help YOU. i should be so glad. to be of use.
mean il. Won't you trust me?
Shc-Oh, can't. can't talk OF it! think
breaks and sobs outright)-I think / am the
most wretched, miserable girl alive
lie Csoothingly tenderly)-Iou poor dear child
Wha; is it then? What has vexed You? Don't
cry Come and tell me all about it; you'll be
eycr so much better then. What did he do?
How do You up We're Teoy yS nei
Scarborough? | never told you about Captain
Tcn
lIc-Yet I knew. OF course was certain there
must be he: what else would make little
woman cry9 But he's not worth it. ] assure you
Treat him with che contempt he deserves. He's
low snob.
She-IIow do you know thatP Where have
you met him
Hc-I never met him in all my life, and yet
know exactly what he has done. ! consider him
an utter cad and hate him
Shp-Why what has he done % YOU?
lIe-Nothing to me. 1t what he's done to you
IIe has treated You most UNANIMOUSLY! know
that.
She-I never told you
He-lou said-well, you implied something of
Shall tell you what l think occurred?
She-Iou may talk any nonsense you please
Ue-It is not so bad TO talk as TO act nonsense
cally But listen Is this right? You met Cap
tain Bell at Scarborough, he paid You great atten-
ton you fancied yourself in love With him-don't
interrupt me- please Then he humbugged you
into believing that he was desperately in love
with YOU and he persuaded you to meet him at
York Station so that you might run away. Shall
so on
She with hanging head, her ungloyed forehneer
following the pattern of her cloth skirt)-I cannot
prevent you.
lie-But you'd rather not hear? | am not such
brute, ! hope, as 10 insist: l only wanted TO
show you that knew what was talking about,
and TO prove the interest take in you.
She ishyly)-fou are very good, Pm sure.
don't understand why YOU should be 50 kind.
You are q perfect stranger
;e-Don't he too sure Of that ] know you,
ard have known you-at any rate of you-all your
life Mss-BrgnOlles.
She starts and bushes deeply)-Who are you ?
At any rate. don't know you.
HIe-Y0ur nearest neighbor at home, Lord Fitz-
Hugh-the half wild man.
Il onls In. inf y AZ