The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-02

nOurS. An awful SlUuaClOn II Sno were
a relict of some person unknown.
There was a tunnel, too, coming-a
long one. A cold perspiration broke
out on the generals forehead as he
cursed his own folly in placing himself
in such dangerous position. He lifted
his hat, and, taking out his pocket
handkerchief, rubbed off the drops
which had gathered on his manly brow.
Then he took wary glance at his
enemy AS he did so, he suddenly en-
countered two charming saucy-loolsing
eyes, with oceans of suppressed fun in
their dark depths looking at him over
the pages of book she was perusing.
The general instantly withdrew his
glance, and, taking out his Times, set
himself to read in true John Bull fash
ion. There was silence in the carriage,
only broken by occasional whisperings
ana sometimes smothered laugh
between the widow and the boy.
Sir Peppery would have given worlds
to know what they were laughing at
probably at him. Like allsmall, stout
men, the general was sensitive. par
ticularly to the ridicule of pretty
woman-and there was no denying tho
lady in black was pretty.
''She must have been married when
almost child to be the mother Of that
young fellow" thought the general,
who someway felt himself wonderfully
interested in his travelling companions
especially the female companion.
For widow she wasn't in the least in
trusive. He would stake his life on
that, even in the tunnel
Here they We're actually going
through the tunnel. Sir Peppery heard
a faint scream as they flew into the
darkness, and as they emerged he saw
that the boy was holding his mothers
hand in his.
''Nice boy that-uncommonly so!'
The generals bead-lilSe eyes beamed
benignantly on the lad, who was now
busy setting out very appetizing-look-
ing luncheon.
Sir Peppery had started early. He
had had slender breakfast. He was
really hungry. He watched his neigh
bors as they enjoyed their cold fowl
and champagne with wistful interest,
and his glances attracted the attention
of the lady in black.
She nudged her companion, and
whispered something to him.
The boy nodded He turned to the
general.
Can l offer you some lunch?" he
said, in a frank, pleasant voice. "We
shall not get to York until six o'clock,
enough to feed all along the line. Do
have something"
Sir Peppery hesitated, and hesitation
was fatal The mental struggle be-
tween widowphobia and his empty
stomach was unequal, and, in spite of
the warning voice which reminded him
of Pickwicls and the chops, he yielded.
| He took the fair, unspotted breast of
Il delicate capon from the still whittier
hand of the lady in black and glass
of sparkling Moselle from that of her
son.
After this they grew quite friendly.
The widow, indeed, spoke little, but
she smiled very sweetly, showing row
of the most evenly matched teeth, and
her laugh was quite bewitching; SO,
too. were her eyes.
What between these charms and the
champagne, which was supplemented
by chasse in the shape of tiny silver
lhimbleful of Chartreuse, the general
was beginning to lose his head slightly.
To his surprise and, indeed mortifica-
ton, an intense drowsiness fell upon
him. it was in vain he tried to resist
the approaches of this irresistible in
vader, who has batfied the most sturdy
auchorite.
He made frantic efforts, for he knew
he would snore. He let down the win.
dow, he pinched his fingers, he moved
restlessly from one leg to another, all
in vain. His eyes closed-closed.
The voices of his companions sounded
a long way off, their heads grew pre-
ternaturally large; there were three
lamps in place of one. The general
gave in and was soon in deep slumber.
He didn't wake until they reached
York.
All was hustle and confusion. The
general, with hasty bow to the lady
in black, darted from the carriage, car
rying his own bag, and collared por.
ter. Then he fumbled for his list and
made his way to the luggage van.
1t was nearly an hour before he could
disinter his numerous boxes from the
piles of Christmas hampers and travel
ing wardrobes going northward.
At last 1t was done. After innumera,
BILE scares of having lost his hat box OF
his oblong case, he managed to gathe,
all his belongings ON to cab and
seated himself in the midst like an owl
hen over a clutcn OF chickens. then
drove off to Capt. Lankester's.
II was pleasant to observe Pussy's de-
light at seeing "dear Uncle Fidgett.
She kissed him dozen times, but the
general. contrasting her with the lady
in black, thought she lacked some thing
She had grown triflc fat, and hel
voice had not the sweetness Of the
Widows.
Still, she was dear little soul, and
Sir Peppery pleased himself with the
idea of her rapture over her diamond
star. He was all impatience to give II
To her.
When she took him upstairs 70 show