The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24
CHAPTER II.

The shock to the nerves which sustained
in that instant Is perfectly indescribable. No
human being that has not gone through such
an experience can conceive what 1t is. At the
first moment my senses positively reeled. l
never have tainted. but think came near it
then. and as the deathlike sensation passed
off still worse feeling. sense that reason
and life tottered on their throne. overcame me.
Yet, after minute or two at the most. began
to recover. ! resumed my manhood and got
control over myself again.
forced myself to rise. though my limbs
trembled. to walk to the empty end Of the car
rage to touch the cushions, to feel with my
hand the empty spaces looked at my watch.
1t wanted twenty-three minutes to one. 1t
was a repeater: sounded It 1t struck the
hour correctly.
staggered back to my scat. and there were
the ghostly pair. as before. pursuing their
quarrel! The girl had sunk back in her place
and covered her face in her hands: the man
looked more furious than before That was
saw myself reflected. my own horror
| struck face. with disordered hair and my trav-
cling cap pushed all awry. and beyond. Just as
real seemingly as myself those twol
reached down my travelling bag unfast-
| ened 1t, and took out a small penknife. II
| this is a dream, a sleeping horror only"
| bdlu Will oWhho! opcAcu tuo hhllcs duus
unfastening my cuff and turning back my
sleeve. I deliberately cut cash in the neshy
part OF my arm. three inches below the elbow.
| The smart was sharp-it bled freely-but as
| twisted my handkerchief round 1t and raised
my eyes. there. as before. unchanged and real
as life itself. were my terrible companions.
Iseemed to have lost all power OF thinking:
| my bodily strength had almost ebbod away
| under the shock. lay back ca the cushions
| rs before. with sense Of utter exhaustion.
| but determined to watch. with the closest at
| tention. everything that passed. I took notice
| OF many things that at first rs careessly OBJ
| served the pair. had not observed. The girl.
who was looking up again and speaking. was
| clad from head to foot in gray travelling suit.
| relieved with little crimson. She wore some
| sort OF O hat or cap to match: her hair was
! very fair. her face white. with small. well-cut
| features. There was an intensity. an indie
| scribable force Of expression. power both OF
| feeling and doing on the small white face that
made me shudder. 1t would be dangerous to
provoke the passion that lay there. and still
| felt as II had seen her somewhere before
| Her gloves were off: saw no wedding ring
but on the little finger OF her right hand
noticed large emerald ring OF peculiar shape
and great lustrc
In spite Of his well-cut clothes it struck me
| class as she did. There was commonness
| about him. in spite OF his good looks. that was
| offensive. large diamond sparkled In his
| necktie. and that alone gave mo o bad i'm
precision OF him. Their conversation went
| on. to all appearance moro hercely than ever
Ny mind was dazed my senses stunned. l
| thought no feeling OF surprise or horror could
possibly penetrate my brain. The unreality Of
| the strange scene seemed to attach itself TO
me and not to them. ! said to myself: III
this continues many minutes longer shall 60
beEan, with Trembling ilnsers.p to Write down
all that had passed and every detail about the
ss 69ek aa
IN am mad already or II this drives me
mad" | romember thinking II will At least
| But the end was closer than l thought
though the worst was yet to come;
ceptible quieting Of the rafting motion Of the
train which means the approach to stopping
station. had time to wonder what would be-
that had thrust va tse upon mo-
when saw the girl stretch out her lett hand.
knocking scorn ct the man, on which he. goad:
ed to madness. as 1t seemed. with look OF
haeS aHa uG cd To
:, The girl sprsng to her feet and fell back on
The murderer did not hesitate moment.
IN his 9d that
carefully thought out aud planned.
eyes were closed. and her face. 50 lately flash
and peaceful as chiids. 70 all appearance
Her murderer lifted from the floor her rail-
way rug and coolly laid it over her up to her
chest. SO as to cover any mark on her dress:
quiet sleep MI Then lie reached s down Ai from the
! rack small Dag. turned. laced me fully. waitsh