Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-11-28
AN AWFUL CHARGE.

Inc ilIJle COMBINATION freight anu
passenger train that runs from the ell
trance OF the great Hoosac tunnel away
mp through the mountains along the
bank of the Deerfield river waits pa.
tiently on its narrow gauge side track
until its larger contemporary from Bos-
ton comes up and empties out what
ever of its freight and whoever of its
passengers are destined for the little
villages farther up in the mountains. As
soon as the Fitchburg train has pulled
out OF the station and into the tun-
mel the smaller combination is left
master of the field, and, after backing
coquettishly from it's side track with
many puff and Hutter and much
ringing of not untuneful bell. 1t starts
sturdily around the curve and begins
It's Journey of twelve miles over an up
grade track.
One quiet evening In the earlier part
of July young woman, accompanied
by girl who seemed to act In the ca
paeity OF maid rather than companion,
alghted from the o'clock train from
Boston, made some inquiries OF an Off
cial at the Fitchburg station and then
made her way across the tracks to the
other train which was waiting respect
fully at distance. Just AZ 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 moment later with tan
leather satchel, an umbrella and cane.
He looked nervous and annoyed, but
crossed the tracks and climbed into the
single passenger car on the narrow
gauge road. The car was combina.
ton passenger and baggage car. and he
climbed in at the baggage car end.
Presently the train backed from the
side track and started along its up grade
journey
The young man took up a position
before the open side door of the bag
gage end OF the car and seemed to give
himself up to admiration of the coun
try through which they were passing,
though he cast furtive glances 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 behind her, with wraps
and umbrellas and the various other
paraphernalia that fastidious young
woman carries with her even on a short
Journey. Having made these observa-
tions the young man gave more perfect
attention to the landscape and looked
less frequently into the car proper,
The girl was evidently unconscious of
bis presence. or at least unmlndful Of
H. She looked steadily out of the win
dow and seemed 20 be enjoying also the
beautiful scenery
Hut presently the young man began
to grow more nervous and restive. He
moved uneaslly 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 ar
ranged his four-ln hand nervonsly.
Suddenly he got up and walked reso
lutely down the car to where the young
woman was seated. He walked much
In the manner of one who has deter
miued to take bath In very cold wa
ter aud goes at II with his nerves at the
sticking point aud his eyes shut The
young woman was much interested In
the landscape rs he came up. and she
did not notice him. He was Obliged 10
call her attention.
TRACE, he said.
She turned from the window with
wondering eyes and looked at him
moment Then the light OF recognl
tion drove the wonder slowly from her
eyes aud shs held out her hand Ian
gnldly.
why. how do you do. Mr. MardenT'
she said.
lie took her hand slowly; he almost
groped for L. lie had been trying all
the way from Boston TO yet up conrage
10 speak 10 her, and now her cool. sur
prised How do you 90" was almost
too much for him. There was noi even
traoeable note Of resentment Ia L.
yheEs certainly vas nothing Of pleasure