Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-02-24

"EhG" said he, wondering at hel
frightened face.
At the next corner the car stopped
an old gentleman helped IN a young
lady. They took the seat before Ben
and Patty.
They were talking, fast and loud, the
words came to the girls cars:
"But, my love, you could wait until
Tomorrow" said the old gentleman.
'Mr. Figgs," said the lady, "Td con-
slider myself coward if did. Eliza
says that when Miss Smith opened the
door of the inner room, she saw her niece
there, with blue bonnet on, and that
she hid behind the bed-head, and in the
bandbox was this old turbau that have
on my head. The girl meant to wear it
tonight and send it home tomorrow,
no doubt. But I'll show this to madame
first, and then get warrant for the ar
rest of both women-I'lI punish them. "
Patty suddenly threw her veil over
her head. Evidently this was Mrs.
Ficgs. The poor girl felt very ill.
"Did Ben hear2" she asked herself.
"Did he guess the truthG"
Ben, however, was interested in GER
tain vagaries of the electric lights, which
blinked and fiared surprisingly.
"Well, now, that's kinder hard on the
poor women" said the grocer.
81 will have revengel' said Mrs.
Figgs, gritting her teeth and becoming
hysterical. -.
"Therel therel you shall, dearest, |"
gasped Mr.. Figgs. "Ain't we going
there as fast as we cau9"
YOU'RE always thwarting mel" sobbed
the lady.
"I amt" pleaded Figgs. "Why,
wiley, 1 amt no such thing. l always
do what you want, only
At this moment the electric lights
blinked madly and went out altogether
mimic lightning began to play along
the floor of the car, aud cries were heard
outside.
The car stopped; Ben jumped up and
walked to the door.
"Lend us a hand" said the guarl.
cay" replied Ben.
The car was in utter darkness. A
sudden jerk overset Mr. Figgs, aud he
sprawled on the floor. Mrs. Figss
shrieGei:
I'm struck by lightuingl I'm dead !
It's all your fault, Mr.. Fi9gs, all your
fau,tw and went into Mysteries.
But Patty did not. Sne seiz I'd the op-
portuuity. With one hand she pulled
down the shades, so that not even the
faint light of the street could betray her
with the other she whisked her old tur-
ban from Mrs; Figgs's head, and in an
instant had pinned the blue bonnet to
her golden braids. Then she seated
herself, put her despised old hat, so
precious now, upon her own head and
covered it we'll with her veil.
ooh, thank goodnessl" she gasped,
"thank goodness" ..
The light flashed up again.
"All aboardl - roared the guard.
Ben was at her side explaining all that
had been done-all the danger, all the
value of the aid he had offered. She
did not understand "a word, but she
beamed upon him.
"Seems to have cheered you up" he
said.
"Well," said Patty; "a little excite
ment does, now and then"
"Abominable things-these cars, "
said the passengers, in chorus; "fright-
full accident some day-a mercy we were
not all killed"
"There's one gentleman struck" said
an old lady.
But Mr.. Figgs had only been wedged
between two seats-Bsn extracted him
safely, and be resumed his position be-
side his wife.
"Better, lovea" he asked. .
"No, / shall never get over this" ;"
said Mrs. Figgs, "and you ought not to
have taken trolley carl am sure you
did it to be rid of me"
"I didn't" said Mr.. Figgs; ''mY dear,
your heir is down aud your het askew.
Mrs. Figgs put up her hands, took of
her hat, and dcftly twisted her beauti-
FIJI, golden hair. Then she looked at
the blue bonnet, lying in her lap-lilted
it-turued it about, gasped and glared.
'What does this meana' she said
"Mr. Figgs, that shock of lightning has
driven me mad-what does this look
like to youT'
Gas handsome bonnet as I ever saw
you wear, DEAR" said Mr.. Figgs, ''and
a lovely blue just like your eyes, pet"
"This is the one l ordered to match
my eyes," said Mrs. Figgs, "but when
left home l had CD a greasy, brown tur'
ban. You saw 1t, Eliza saw it-why it's
supernatural work-spirits, or some
thing"
"I guess" said Mr.. Figgs; "sornehov
or other, electricity has done it,"
"I'm frightened to death; take mi
home," said Mrs. Figgs, and they alightec
at the next corner.
Ben and Patty arrived at the theatre
a little late, but they enjoyed the per
formance. In its midst, Ben said tx
Patty:
"Why don't you take off your veil and
show us your pretty bonnet2"
ats rather ugly, and quite old, Ben,
said Patty demurely. "Only my old
brown turban."
But she removed the veil.
"Why, Patty, I'd have sworn you had
a new blue bonnet on" said Ben
.Ln-:Al4 ll..a oe HIM "a uniir ouaa