Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-10-20
THE 3 O'CLOCK EXPRESS.

IHE 5 UCLUCk EAPkESS.
| never said that Seth Brush was
not handsome-never, even when | was
anscred at him. He had gypsy eyes
and brown skin, gypSy-lke. too, for
the matter of that. aud ali m<nner OF
kinks and curls in his black hair. and
such Il throat. He Wore his collar
turned back and knot of some
bright color under it and he had Il
flashing way that no one could help
Liking
When the Rip Van Wrinkle came III
with the 3 o'clock train-the Rip Van
Wrinkle was the name of his particular
engine. you know used to see him
up in his engine house. He never took
any notice of III, then, so | could look
us much as l liked; not that | caught
more than a glimpse. either. yet some
how | was always at my window
with my work by ten m:nteS to ).
Then I'd catch the first scream of the
whistle, and then I'd see her turn the
curve and hear her chip. chip. chip,
as She slackened speed and came
into the depot.
Mother and father used often to say
lhat they should sell the old house
and move away on account of the
noisy new railway. but l liked it. I'm
free to confess l might not, but for
ihat one little fact of seeing Seth run
the Rip in at O'Clock every after
noon.
Did only see him then? Oh. no.
He was off at every evening and at
80 he was with me. He'd been COM
ing half IL year. and not that I'd have
lold him so for anything. | loved him
better than my life-a great deal bet
Ter. used to wonder whether per-
laps. | did not love him too much. but
it wasn't Il sort of love to be ashamed
Of.
There were one or two men in the
town who had been through collisions
and bore the marks of it, and when
saw them | used to think if that sort
of thing ever happened to Seth and he
should lose his handsome looks as
they had. Td-Id-you know all about
it: of course l would if I cared .
him at all. But wasn't much afraid.
And "chip. chip. chip she came in
every day just at 3. the train of
steam behind her and all a-shinr. Ike
some great jewel, with care and polish
ing.
Well, this went on without any
change for SIX months. as | nave told
YOU. and we We're engaged. and Seth
brought me from st. Louis the dearest
l'ttle ring. And Wore it openly and
did not care if everyone knew whose
ring it was.
| was making up some Of my things
already when Cousin Charlotte came
down from st. Louis to pay us Il
visit never had been fond of her,
but blood is blood and she was my
mothers sisters child. and we always
asked her once year. She kept a
mill:ners' store and She made money
by it. too. and was rather a brisk,
brght-looking young woman.
Well. Charlotte cam" down. as | say.
and great budget of news she had
for us.
That evening Seth came. l hadn't
told Charlotte anything abour MN. nut
she could guess what there was mr-
tween us, I suppose. she was very
silent that evening and looked iii him
with strange. searching gaze. that
certainly was not polite. and she went
to bed early and never said good
night" But when Sctn was gone and
| was alone in my own room ! heard
some one tapping at the door, and
said. Come in and in came Char
lottc.
saw the tears come into her ryr:.
1--WE got something to say tonight
and you'll hate me for it. Of course,
though it's my duty. That young man
who came here Tonight is your bean,
l SuppoSe?'
You can't know anything about
him that's not good l said.
"You like him. she said.
I'm engaged to nim." l answered.
She came across and took me by the
hands in a sisterly fashion not usual
with her.
Mamie" she said. ON going to tell
YOU Heavens truth-that | swear.
see that man every day when and
where he ought to blush to he seen.
especially if he's engaged to good
young girl like yon."
"A woman lives opposite us a wO-
man whose husband has gone away.
YOU know. She has one little boy and
she's very handsome. He comes to
see her every day; he gives ncr mon
ry; he kisses her; I've seen both
things. It's been disgusting 10 me
before. but now-when | see what he
IS TO you. l turn sick. 1t must he
when the engine comes in and is wait
ing ut the depot. Once or twice he has
stayed longer, but not often, only on
Sundays"
My heart gave great leap. Seth
did often spend Sunday in st. Louis.
! never thought of asking why but I
said:
II can't believe it; I won't. You
think it is Seth. know, but it's some
other man.
Mamie" said Charlotte. II don't
ask you to take my word. Run down
10 the city with me. Come up into MY
workroom and peep through the shut,
tiers and you'll see for yourself"
II WILL" said I. land I'll see some
man l never saw before In all my
FIFE"
And | tried to believe This through
all the hours of the night after she
left me, and all through the early
journey to st. Louis next day.
l went up into the workroom OF
Charlotte's house and We two knelt
down at the open window peepins
through the green blinds. Over the