Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-04-14

nor mOf0 Vn6n BIG n6U Uc0IueU pOS-
sible; and, leaving a hastily written
note to explain to Guion that she had
altered her plans, she took the late
express, which reached Clevedon
Junction ct nine, there connecting
with o branch train for Esterhall
Station. She was travelling alone, as
her maid remained to pack up the
last things and follow her the next
day:
There had been heavy snowfall,
the night had settled down dark and
tempestuous, and the train was rum
ming behind time. At last It came
to full stop. Mrs. Esterhall start
ed from q doze and looked anxiously
around her
"Ten o'clock! d" some one said,
consulting a watch. Why, con-
ductor, we are due at Clevedon at
five minutes before nine I"
Eyes, I know, SIR" spoke the off,
cial, but the road Is all blocked,
and the Western express is overdue
ut this point. We're waiting here
for the signal to move on"
And what's to keep us from wait.
ing all night?" petulantly inquired
the old gentleman.
Nothing sir-unless the Western
Express Is heard FROM"
Mrs. Esterhall began to DO Q little
frightened.
"Conductor," said she, us there
any danger Of o collision?'
mo, ma'am-not as long as we're
on this side OF the switch"
Isn't there dining car attached
to this train?"
mo, ma'am-thisi isn't the through
express, but I hope we shall not be
detained here much longer" the
conductor cheerfully 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 the darkness, fiecked
only by the driving snow, and then
got in again, with the customary
uncomplimentary comments on the
railway management. Mrs. Ester.
hall was nervous and unaccustomed
to travel alone. She began to cry
softly behind her veil.
"Ah," she thought, III ever live
to get safe home again, I'll stay
there. I'll never tempt Providence
more, on these night roads"
Across the aisle two young girls
were seated-the one pale.facUd and
rather plain, as Mrs. Esterhall had
already noticed by the light Of the
cluster Of lamps under which they
were seated; the other q brilliant
young brunette with soft hazel eyes,
peachy cheeks and wavy dark.brown
hair, brushed carelessly back from a
low, broad forehead. Presently the
latter rose, and coming to Mrs. Ester
halls side, asked in q soft, sympath.
etic voice:
"Are you III, madam"
"N-no," stammered the old lady,
quite forgctful Of her society dignity.
"Only ! am 90 faint and weary. I
expected to dine ut home long before
this hour, and I took almost nothing
to eat-before ! started"
~ have some nice, home made
chicken sandwiches in my bag" sug.
gested the pretty girl. my aunt in
sisted on my taking them, although
I dined heartily before leaving home,
and have q little alcohol lamp with
every convenience for making cup
Of good, strong ten us we'll. II you
will allow me to prepare 1t for YOU"
Mrs. Esterhall was a genuine tea
maniac. A new brightness came into
her eyes ut this suggestion.
"You are very kind" said she.
"But you will want 1t 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 So"
In five minutes, Mrs. Esterhall
had eaten and drunk, and felt In.
tinitely refreshed. How 1t happened,
she did not pause to question herself,
but she presently found herself re.
clining comfortably, with her head on
o pillow improvised out Of the folded
blanket shawl that belonged to tho
young girl; and, mingled with her
drowsy reflections, came the soft,
low murmdrs Of the sweet-faced
brunette, who had changed her seat
and that OF her companion to the one
directly back Of Mrs. Esterhall, and
was talking almost in q whisper.
mo, am not going back; and I
do not intend to communicate my ad.
dress to any one"
mot even to him?"
mo, NOT even to him."
"But he loves you, dear"
"Yes; and that Is tho very reason
am deter mined to create no dissen.
sion between him and his friends.
Perhaps he will forget me-"