The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-06-02
isn't there dining car attached 70


tor checrfully. added.
Slowly the minutes dragged them
selves by. gradually lengthening into
hours The passengers gathered in
knots and whispered. One or two OF
the more adventurous spirits got out,
peered into tho DARKNESS, flecked only
by the driven snow, and then got in
again, with the customary uncompli-
mentary comments on the railway
management. Mrs. Esterhall was ner-
vous and unaccustomed to travel She
began to cry softly behind her veil.
"Ah," she thought, IF ever live to
get safe home again, I'll stay there.
Ill never tempt Providence more, on
these night roads"
Across tho aisle two young girls werc
scated-the ono pale-faced and rather
plain, as Mrs. Esterhall had already
noticed by the light of the cluster OF
lamps under which they were scatedi
the other brilliant young brunette,
with soft. hazel eyes, peachy checks,
and wavy dark-brown hair, brushed
carelessly back from low, broad fore
head Presently the latter rose, and,
coming to Mrs. Esterhall's side. asked
in a soft, sympathetic voice:
Are you i'll, MADAME
"N-no," stammered the old lady,
quite forgetful of her society dignity.
'sOnly am 80 faint and weary. ex-
pected to dine at home, long before this
hour; and took almost nothing to eat
before started"
"Ihave some nice. homemade chicken
sandwiches in my bag" suggested the
pretty girl. MY aunt Insisted IN my
ticking them. although Idined heartily
before leaving home, and | have q little
alcohol lamp with every convenience
Tor making good. strong cup Of tea as
well. If you will allow me to prepare
1t for you"
Mrs. Estcrhall was q gpruinc tea
maniac A new brightness came into
her eyes at this suggestion.
you are very kind" said she. But
you will want it yourself"
NO" smiled the girl. II don't care
for tea. But my kind old aunt would
put the things IN. Now am glad that
she did SOL
In Eve minutes Mrs. Esterhall had
eaten and drunk and felt infinitely re-
freshed. How it happened she did not
pause to question herself, but she pres
emily found herself reclining comfort.
ably, with her head on pillow impro-
vised out of the folded blanket shawl
that belonged to the young girl; and,
mingled with her drowsy reflections,
came the soft, low fnurmurs of tho
swect-eyed brunette. who had changed
her scat and that of her companion to
the one directly back OF Mrs. Ester
hall, and was talking almost in g.
whisper.
'sNo, am not going back; and l do
not intend to communicate my address
to anyone"
mot even to him?"
mo, not even to him"
"But he loves you, dear"
"Yes; and that Is the very reason l
am determined to create no dissension
between him and his friends. Perhaps
he will forget me-"
s'Ife will never do that"
.But at least shall feel that hayd
done my duty" said the hazel-eyed girl,
firmly. II shall love him to the end of
his days, but / shall not have ruined
his future"
.sAnd all this" cried the companion,
.'out of Difference to the whims of an
old woman whom you have never seen!'
.Out Of Difference to his mother,
Alice" gently corrected the first
speaker.
.What quixotic notionl" dreamily
unused Mrs. Esterhall. But she has an
excellent idea of duty, this darlz.eyed
little girll'
THAT is you. all over, Effie!' said the
friend. "You are always effacing your
self In favor of some one else. Here
you are giving all your tea and sand
witches to a person you have never
heard of, abandoning your seat to
poor little woman with q crying baby.
because it Is trif1e nearer the stove.
and. to cap everything, giving up the
man you love and who loves you, be-
cause"
Because 1t is my duty" said Fife.
"Please, Alice, don't let us discuss the
matter any longer. 1t is because love
Guy that am willing to sacrifice every
thing for his sake"
''Guyl Bless my soul! GuyI" thought
Mrs. Esterhall, sitting suddenly up.
but, of course, there are other Guys
than mine in the world"
Just then there was q tremble OF the
frozen ground under them, roar and
rush of lighted cars past them
"The western express at lastl'' shout
ed the choleric old gentleman, bobbing
I'D in his seat like an india-rubber ball,
"All abo-o-ard!" bawled the conduc-
tor, with a twitch at the bell-rope; and
on moved the train at last, crcaking
and grooming like some monster SER
pent in pain. Mrs Esterhall leaned
over the back of the seat, toward tho
hazel-eyed girl
my DEAR" said she, between the
throbs of the engine, lis it Guion Es-
terhall that you are speaking OPP
The girl started and coiored. She
could not repress q cry of surprise.
Eyes, thought so. Come over here
and sit by me. am his mother, and
l want to talk to you"
It was two o'clock in the morning
when they reached Esterhall station.
but the covered sleigh was waiting for
thar, xU;t h hot soapStone foof.waru-