The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
IN EXPRESS IDYLL.

The South express, known commonly as
''The Flying Scotchman," is at the plat
form, steam engine attached, and on the
point of starting.
He has taken his seat, and is snugly en-
sconced in the far end of a first class COM
partment He is straight from the moors
the "dittos," deer-stalker cap, gum
case in rack, show that; a gentleman,
young, well-born, well-to-do-all these are
indicated by his bright, handsome face,
aristocratic features, and altogether pros
porous, self-satisfed air.
-"There-3:05 Safe to be alone as
far as Grantham. l think may smoke"
Takes out cigarette case and lights up.
Suddenly the carriage door is thrown
open.)
Guard (frantically)-'1 with you, miss
train is moving! All right!' Ito engine
driver. Whistles.)
She falling into her place like bundle
of old clothes)-"Ah! (hysterically.) Oh.
what fool I've beenw Bursts into
paroxysm OF tears
He mentally, interested at once)-"My
hOiu. Lulu u AuAh SO. L OOA NOoAt
how she sobsi Examines her atten-
tively.) Quite the little lady, too. Neat
turnout; good fit. That jacket Is Paris
built, I'm sure, and those little brogues-
whoever made them was an artist They'd
do Tor Chinese Wish 1 could see her
face"
She raising her head, and with quick
gesture tearing at her hat, which she
throws off as though it hurt hero
the curl To think 1 should have be-
lieved in him. trusted him! The coward!
the cur"
He mentally" There's q him in il,
then. 4 bad lot, too, / should take it, TO
have ill-used so sweet her Clear skin,
nice face; and what eyes, The tears i'm
prove them, think. Their eyes meet.)
Hope you do not mind (aloud, with an
almost imperceptible wave of the cigar
rette.O
She (absently)- Mind what? You? (s5-
rup:ly.) Not in the least"
He lmeekly)-"I meant the smoke. 1
never presumed to think YOU would OBJ
ject to me or my presence here. Besides.
carriage if could"
should / care-for anything? Pm far too
miserable" "a fierce Sob
He (seriously)-"I am sorry for YOU
You seem in terrible trouble. Is there
anything / can do for you? | hardly like
to intrude, but no man-no gentleman
could see a lady in such distress without
offering his help"
She gratefully, but with fresh te ars)-
"You are very good, very kind: but il you
would please leave me alone-leave me to
NV own thoughts"
He-"They cannot be pleasant thoughts,
Pm sure. Far better look at the papers.
Will you have Punch, or this weeks World?
They're both here
She-"I could not see to read them,
thank you"
He-"Then let me talk to you" Rises
and moves a seat nearer.)
She-"No, no; YOU must not talk to me!
/ don't know who you are. I've never seen
you; never met YOU before"
He-"Let me introduce myself then.
NV name is Fiiz-Hugh."
She-"That's not enough. Some one
else must introduce you"
He (raising his hand to the communi-
cator)-"Shall stop the train and get the
guard to introduce me? He knows me"
She laughing, In spite of herselfl-"No,
please. That would make us both look
ridiculous. l will accept the inevitable
know some Fitz-HuQhs-(a pause but
1 don't like them"
He-"A bad lookout for me! Hope
they're no relations of mine. What part
OF the country"
She-"Oh. near us; near. But have
hardly met them; only hear such things
about them from my guardian; it is ne
who is always abusing them They are
such disagreeable neiRhbors, he says ;the
mother gives herself such airs, and the
sons are so stuck up"
He-"That must be painful for them.
Are there many of them, and are they all
like that?"
She-''Three or four are. l don't know
about the eldest; I've never seen him at
all. No one has much. He owns the es-
tates, has the title, but he's always away,
shooting or travelling about the world
He's half wild man, / believe"
He-"What a curious personl / should
be very sorry to resemble him. And
don't think Pm at all stuck up. So your
guardian hates the Fitz-Hughs? Perhaps
it is little his fault"
She-"I daresay. He's horridl / can't
bear himp
He-"Won't let you do foolish things,
perhaps?"
She (blushes crimson)-"What do you
mean?"
He-You've just been doing something
foolish, haven't you? don't want to pre-
sume-I would not force your confidence
for the world-but, you know, confession
is good for the soul"
She (still scarlet)-"I certainly shall
tell YOU nothing! wonder how you dare
to ask You are taking a very great lib
| erty. / think you are exceedingly rude"
He-"No, indeed, no. Nothing was tur-
ther from nv intentions. only thought
might be able to help you. / should be
| so glad to be of use. i mean it. Won't
you trust me?"
She-"Oh, l can't. l can't talk of it 1
think-(breaks and sobs outright)-I
think 1 am the most wretched, miserable
girl alivep
He (soothingly, tenderly)-"You poor,
dear child! What is it, then? What has
vexed you? Don't cry. Come and tell
me all about it; you'll be ever so much
better then. What did he do?"
She Quickly looking up at him through
her tears )-"He? How do you know?
Were you at Scarborough? l never told
| you about Capt. Bell"
He-"Yet knew. OF course, l was GER
tain there must be he; what else would
make little woman cry? But he's not
worth it, assure you. Treat him with the