Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-10-02
AN AWFUL CHARGE.

trance OF the great HOOsac tunnel away
up through the mountains along the
bank of the Deerfeld River waits pa
tiently on its narrow-guage side-track
until its larger contemporary from Bos-
ton comes up and empties out whatever
of its freight and whoever of its passen-
gers are destined for the little village
farther up in the mountains. As soon as
the Fitchburg train has pulled out of
the station and into the tunnel the small
er combination is left master of the field,
and, after backing coquettishly from its
side track with many puff and futter
and much ringing of not untuneful
bell, it starts sturdily around the curve
and begins its journey of twelve miles
over an up grade track.
One quiet evening in the earlier part
of July young woman accompanied by
a girl who seemed to act in the capacity
of maid rather than companion, alighted
from the five o'clock train from Boston,
made some inquiries of all official at the
Fitchburg station, and then made her
way across the track to the other train
which was waiting respectfully at a dis
lance. Just as the train from Boston
was about to start a young man came
hurriedly to the platform of the car,
looked earnestly across the tracks, and
then disappeared inside the car to return
a moment later with a tan-leather satchel,
an umbrella and a cane. He looked ner-
vous and annoyed, but crossed the tracks
and climbed into the single passenger
car on the narrow-guage road. The car
was a combination passenger and bag
gage car, and lie climbed in at the bag
gage car end. Presently the car backed
from the side track and started along it's
upgrade journey.
The young man took up position be-
fore the open side door of the baggage
end of the car and seemed to give him
self up to admiration of the country
through which they were passing, though
he cast furtive chances into the other end
of the car, where the young woman had
taken her place. She was seated near
the middle of the car, on the sunny side,
and her maid was two or three seats be-
hind her, with wraps and umbrellas and
the various other paraphernalia that a
fastidious young woman carries with her
even on short journey. Having made
these observations the young man gave
more perfect attention to the landscape
and looked less frequently into the car
proper. The girl was evidently uncon-
sCious of his presence, or at least I'M
mindful of it. She looked steadily out
of the window and seemed to be enjoy
ing also the beautiful scenery.
a Pnf tlyy4 tho horroro 4o
grow more nervous and FESTIVE. He
moved uneasily from his position to the
open doorway and sat down on a box in
the middle of the car. Then he went
back to the door and leaned away out,
looking up the track. Then he went
back to the box again and arranged his
four-in-hand nervously. Suddenly he got
up and walked resolutely down the car
to where the young woman was seated.
He walked much in the manner of one
who has determined to take a bath in
very cold water and goes at it with his
nerves at the sticking point and his eyes
shut. The young woman was much in
terested in the landscape as he came up
and she did not notice him. He was
obliged 10 call her attention.
"Grace," he said.
: She turned from the window with
wondering eyes and looked at him
moment. Then the light of recognition
drove the wonder slowly from her eyes
and she held out her hand languidly.
"Why, how do you do, Mr.. Marden9"
she said.
8. He took her hand slowly; he almost
CROPPED for it. He had been trying all
the way from Boston to get up courage
to speak to her, and now her cool, sur
priscd "How do you do' was almost too
much for him. There was not even
traceable note of resentment in it. There
certainly was nothing of pleasure. How
ever, he pulled himself together and took
the seat which she made for him beside
her:
SIT used to be sFrank,'" he said in
answer to her ''Mr. Marden." She
laughed easily.
"Oh, yes, but that was ever so long
ago."
''It was long ago." said the young
man; ''it seems an age"
Miss Grenville made no reply. She sat
there brown-eyed and self-contained,
and presently looked out of the window
again. The young man made another
issue.
"What on earth brings you to this for
saken region?" he asked. Miss Gren-
vile looked at him inquiringly.