Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-27
CHAPTER I.

EESSS>C yzz.M. ~ ony. The train
f \yZlZIZZM rushed swiftly
ll@sg1JE.zz s ssss Sssi ! sss
( gey3 rocked to and
nA.fSN y + fro on my soft
~a.s- SMA~NA cushions; al
|' n though t h or
oughly fatigucd could not sleep.
I reopened my eyes unwillingly,
looked out into the impenctrable dark
ness, then at the Pickering light of the
lamp and finally at my fellow-travelers.
1t was a strange company.
Opposite me sat a eply-bronzed,
martial-looking corporal. He had drawn
the hood of his black cloak over his
head and was snoring with enviable
comfort. Between his legs, which were
incased in scarlet hose and light gait
ers, stood large, heavy box. Upon
entering he had pointed it out as being
filed ''du Hquide," and handled it with
loving care. Our strict officials had
never allowed such large article to
pass as hand-baggage, but in this in
stance they only smiled, and drew up
my feet on the seat resignedly.
Farther on, as near as possible to the
miserable lamp, sat young, slender
man. His pale, worn face was bent
over a book he read all through the
night. It was a newly-cut pamphlets
late production of the Partisan book
market. Was it political pamphlet or
Zola's latest novel? could not make
out. On the seat next me q son of
the Celestial empire had settled himself
"a veritable Chinese. 1 could see his
modest little pigtail, ornamented with
ribbons, moving back and forth. as he
turned his back on me to converse in
fluent French with his vis-a-vis, who
was a robust, pleasant-looking woman
of about forty years of age, the wife of
a soldier, whom she was going to meet,
as 1 concluded from her conversation.
In these surroundings I, northern
er, attircd in an elegant travelling COS
tune, must have looked odd. But on
that train there were no differences OF
class. It was the lightning express
which rushes on to Marseilles with very
few stoppages and carries only first
class passengers.
Most of my companions had tickets
to Algiers, and tomorrow would steam
out into the Mediterranean. I was
sent to Nice by the doctors and an over
anxious mother, to spend the winter
and to recover from the effects of a
serious attack of Inflammation of the
lungs.
was 10th to leave my home assOcia-
tons and my calling, and Indignantly
questioned if travelling in such a mood
could be of any benefit to an invalid.
The long December night was not at
The coupe was soon emptied.
The student closed his book and
stepped out first. The rest followed
him; the corporal, swearing and still
half-asleep, knocked about everywhere
with his case, and only the lady had a
word of farewell for the remaining
traveller.
drew a deep breath, sprinkled some
eau dc cologne on my handkerchief and
stretched myself out. 1 really sue
ceeded in sleeping soundly, for the
train had taken the pleasant, slumber-
producing jog of an express. How long
/ slept, l do not know. Suddenly felt
the cool morning air, and the rustling
of skirts together with a wonder.
fully sweet perfume, pass close by me-
but 1 was SO full of sleep that 1 could
not rouse myself immediately.
When finally opened my eyes they
rested on the corner where short
while since the black-bearded corporal
had snored.
There now sat in his place q slender
female form in. n long, clinging sill
mantle. A thick, gray veil covered hel
travelling hat and face. about which
some very light golden curls fell.
Those curls looked SO natural they re
minded me of little cousin at home.
The lady bent her head. seemingly a
If she wished to sleep, and /, beinl
ashamed of my lounging posture, triet
to raise myself quickly and quietly.
As did so glanced out of the win
dow and could hardly restrain an cxcla
nation of delight.
There lay before me, at no very grea
distance, half enveloped in the mornin,
mist, the magnificen1k Mediterranean
the sun rose from the water throwing
bright CLEAN of light through the mist
and covering mist, clouds and waite
with rosy hue. High up along tn
rocky coast ran the train in and out O
dangerous windings. Southern vegeta
ton everywhere; evergreens, oaks, ol
ives, oranges, everything glistened wit
the dew in glorious freshness.
Could it be December? Were tn
folks at home sitting shivering aroun
the stove, while our feeble. wintry SUI
shone coldly and family through tn
frozen window panes? l felt as if
were under n magic spell, and as
turned to the other side, driven by a
impulse, beheld lovely girls fac
suffused with the tints of the mornin
sun. For one short moment our eye
mot, then the train ran into one of tn
numerous tunnels. The lady sat bac
in her scat, drew her veil over her fac,
and by the dim light of the lamp no.
saw next me n mans form, her con
panion's. / awaited the reappearanc
of daylight and examined the gentl
man furtively.
The sun lit him up. too, and Shove
unrelentingly every wrinkle, ever
ugly shade of color on his worn count
nance, which, when the leaden Lie
were lowered, had something deathlii
about it. His slight form was enve
oped in a fur cloak.
Was it the sun or was it my gaze tn,
affected him-he opened his eyes su