The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-06-23
Mr. Penbortons Patience.
by WILLIAM SHRINE

Mr.. Henry Pcmbcrton was glad ta get
out OF the driving rain and as; he settled
himself back into the luxurious depths
OF the Pullman car seat, he thanked his
stars that he was not poor man. A half
audible sigh of relief which came from un.
der his brown mustache was almost lost in
the sound of the escaping steam from the
locomotive, as tho driving wheels whiZzed
in the air, the wet rails Offering little fric-
ton to their shining surfaces.
The wind blew small hurricane as the
increasing speed of the churning piston
rods carried the train out of the Chicago
station and the outlines of houses and out
door objects grew DINNER and, DINNER in
the gathering dusk. Pelling rain drops
played lively rhythmical tattoo on tho
car window paEes, and made doubly apprc.
ciatcd the soft light and handsome furnish.
ings of the interior.
MIR. Pcmberton was going to spend
Christmas in New York, where he had al.
ways lived up to ten years ago before this
one, and as the tall broad shOuldercd hand
some reflection of himself caught his eve
in mirror, he smiled bitterly. "Why
should 60 back after all these years. ht
muttered. She may be there still and moi
care to meet her handsome lover Al
we'll If She can stand it l guess [ CAM ant
the man stretched himself in his seat.
lie was handsome man; musally tall
ana with clear cut nose and chin.
| curling brown mustachc adorned his uppc
lip and i'll his quiet gray eyes one NIGH
| read stcngth of character and determine
ton. His head was well set upon broat
shoulders and with we'll dcvelopcd chcs
he looked the picture of manliness a
| thlrty-five. Whatever it was that worried
nm was something deep, for his expression
could not have been called q cheerful one
though it was not tho exponent cvidcntl,
OF morosc or melancholy disposition.
The car was comfortably filled with pas
scngcrs but though the one who had ius
boarded the train had n double scat to linn
scil 'I ana an afternoon paper on his lap ht
did not seem ut ease "Why in the devil. ,
he suddenly muttcrcd, "can't get over
that thing? Here am as much of a fool
to-day as was decade ago &ud 1 know
LOO that there is no use in regrctting. WHY
can't ! bring myself to realize that every
IhlnS Is forever over between us? BY Jove
:! WILL" and hard look came on his face.
For the space of about five minutes he re-
manned passive with his lips pressed tight
~ together and BIS eyes staring into vacan-
cy:,. Ihcn he sighed got up quickly and
pulling cigar from his pocket, walked in
10 the smoking compartment.
The only occupant of this comfortable
'hu coy part OF the car was q middle aged
man with clcanly shavcn face, whose
iress proclaimed him a clergyman and he
vat by the window with half smoked ci-
gar between his lips. Mr.. Pemberton
hought that he detected look of annoy
ance on the strangers face as he glanced
up when the former entered and he noticed
that white clincn handkerchief was tied
about his neck. There was no dust in the
car and the young man fell to idly won
derlng, as he cut the end from the cigar,
What ii wa3'thcrc for. lie was not man
to make miscellaneous acuuaintances but
after searching his pockets and finding that
he had none he hcsitatcd Il moment and
then leaned toward the man of the cloth.
II beg your pardon sir, but may | trouble
you tor lightl" "Most assuredly"- was the
smiling reply as the gentleman turned
quickly toward him. ''I}ut don't say trou
Die tor am smoker myself and know the
usclessncss of an unlightcd cigar" and he
deity extended the half consumed weed.
"fhank you," Mr.. Pembcrton reioined as
he returned the cigar after accomplishing
his purpose. ut is trouble nevertheless, :"
he added "for half the pleasure of smok-
ing alone, think lies in the absence of all
disturbing elements"
Yes l admit that, but in this case an
afraid the disturbing elements had not '':~
| 0,,,>no~,l "a