The Portland daily press., 1892-10-31
WAS HE A MURDERER.

of physiognomy and have an irresistible
habit of studying faces that | encounter
in public. On one occasion at least this
faculty has led me into serious pre-
dicament.
The incident occurred on one of the
railways between London and west of
England.
AS soon as I had conveniently disposed
of my belongings in a compartment and
wrapped myself in my rug, I proceeded
leisurely to take a survey of my fellow
travelers-a young man and girl ap-
parently travelling together.
The style of the young man did not
please me. He looked Nhorsy." His
attire was great deal too cloud for
my taste, and on his little finger he wore
a diamond ring probably a sham
diamond, decided. He was not ugly.
but obtrusively big and strong looking.
and saw at once that he was in very
bad temper.
The girl, ON the contrary, pleased me
extremely; she was exceedingly pretty,
and she was daintily dressed and ex-
quisitely refined looking. was struck
by the fact that she seemed to share my
objection to her companion, for she
avoided his attempts to catch her eye,
keeping her face carefully averted from
him, and when he spoke to her she an
swered in monosyllables, without look
ing around. | noticed also that her
pretty, childish face bore signs Of re-
cent weeping and that now and then
her blue eyes filled with tears. I even
fancied that she cast plaintive glances
in my direction, as though unconsciously
seeking for help and succor.
With my usual quick sympathy I
soon felt deeply interested in the lovely,
innocent looking young creature, who
was apparently in the power. of the mo-
rose scoundrel beside her, and began
to consider what means should adopt
to make her understand that compre-
hended her sorrow and desired to help
her. No better idea suggested itself
than to offer her my copy of Punch,
which did with a deferential bow and
look which fattered myself would
reveal my sentiments toward her. /
have always been told that I have
most expressive countenance.
She declined the paper, but her eyes
met mine with an eloquent look, and l
felt that had established an under
standing between us.
Then a brilliant idea occurred to me.
could not talk to the girl right under
the eyes of the scowling villain beside
her, but if / feigned sleep he might be
thrown off his guard and disclose the
situation to me. forthwith gave sew
eral portentous yawns; then leaning
back in my corner l spread a handker-
chief over my face SO as to conceal my
features, but not to prevent me from see
ing my companions; and after little
while commenced to snore.
By and by the ruse seemed successful.
The young man, after several unavailing
attempts gain the girls attention, took
hold of the tiny gloved hand which had
been lying listlessly in her lap, and as
she still continued to look the other way
suddenly bent his head and kissed it.
''How dare your" she cried, hastily
drawing away her hand, while she
turned and faced him. "How dare you
touch me, even when you know-you
know A flood of tears made the rest
Of the sentence inaudible.
The man looked at the girl with half
femorseful, half impatient expression.
"Come, Evelyn, " he said after pause,
crying won't do any good. Forgive
and forget" and he attempted to put his
trim around her waist.
ssForgiving won't bring back to life,"
she cried passionately, shaking herself
free, "and as to forgetting, 1 never,
ilever shall. How could you have the
heart? He never harmed your
NO." replied the young man, with an.
unpleasant smile, "and he won't have
the opportunity now.'
"You never cared for him." sobbed
the girl; ''you never had a kind word
ior him!"
"But tell you it was in self de-
fense"-
s.And I tell you that I don't believe
H." exclaimed the girl. "He never would
have harmed us, and you-yon never
gave him even chance for his life"
And she hid her face in her hands and
sobbed convulsively.
By this time l was becoming almost
apoplectic from horror. There was but
one interpretation to be put upon the
conversation. The man before me-how
true had been sfny first impressions of
him!-had caused the death of fellow
creature, and the pretty fair haired girl,
by her very loathing and repugnance,
was perhaps recklessly risking similar
fate. My blood curdled at the thought,
but by a strong effort I repressed my
feelings and continued to strain my ears
to the utmost, and to snora as naturally
as was possible with every nerve CULVER
ing from terror.
"Evelyn," said the man, evidently try
ing to be conciliatory, and as he spoke,
forcibly drawing the girls hands from
her face-"E Evelyn, surely you and l
need not quarrel about the affair? I as
sure you acted for the best. He would
undoubtedly have proved dangerous to
US both"
"Oh," cried Evelyn, looking at him
with Hushed taar stained face and fash