Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-17
CHAPTER I.

HSSrs S#IN m Gu N ION S; al
though Or
oughly fatigued could not sleep.
1 reopened my eyes unwillingly,
looked out into the impenetrable dark
ness, then at the pickering light of the
lamp and finally at my fellow-t~avelers
1t was strange company.
Opposite me sat deeply-bronzed,
manufacturing 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 liquide," and handled it " 18th
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. 1t was newly-cut pamphlet-a
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 son of
the Celestial empire had settled himself
"a veritable Chinese. l could see his
modest little pigtail, ornarnented 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 robust, pleasant-looking woman
of about forty years of age, the wife of
a soldier, whom she was going to meet,
as | concluded from her conversation.
In these surroundings /. northern
er, attired in an elegant travelling cos
tune, must have looked odd. But on
that train there were no differences of
class. 1t 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. l was
sent to Nice by the doctors and an over
anxious mother, to spend the winter
and to recover from the effects of
serious attack Of inflammation of the
lungs.
tions 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
an end when we reached Marseilles.
The coupe was soon emptied.
The student closed his book and
stepped ont 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 deep breath, sprinl1led some
eau de cologne on my handkerchief and
stretched myself out. ! really sue
ceeded in sleeping soundly, for the
train had taken the pleasant, slumber-
producing jog of an express. How long
l slept, 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 was 50 full of sleep that l could
not rouse myself immediately.
When l finally opened my eyes they
rested OH the corner where short
while since the black-bearded corporal
had snOred.
There now sat in his place a slender
female form in long, clinging silk
mantle A thick. gray veil covered her
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 as
if she wished to sleep, and |, being
ashamed of my lounging posture, tried
to raise myself quickly and quietly.
AS l did so l glanced out of the win
dow and could hardly restrain an excla-
nation of delight.
There lay before me, at no very great
distance, half enveloped in the morning
mist, the magnificent Mediterranean;
the sun rose from the water, throwing
bright CLEAN of light through the mist,
and covering mist, clouds and water
with a rosy hue. High up along the
rocky coast ran the train in and out of
dangerous windings. Southern vegeta-
ZION everywhere; evergreens. oaks. OIL
ives, oranges, everything glistened with
the dew in glorious freshness.
Could it be December? Were the
folks at home sitting shivering around
the stove while our feeble, Wlntry sun
shone coldly and family through the
frozen window panes? / felt as if
were under a magic spell and as
turned to the other side, driven by an
impulse. l beheld a lovely girls face
suffused with the tints of the morning
sun. For one short moment our eyes
met, then the train ran into one of the
numerous tunnels. The lady sat back
in her seat, drew her veil Deer her face,
and by the dim light of the lamp now
saw next me a mans form, her com
panion's. ! awaited the temperance
of daylight and examined the gentle
man furtively.
The sun lit him up. too, and showed
unrelentinClv every wrinkle, every