Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-08-09
isn't there a dining car attached TO

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, fecked only
by the driven snow, and then got in
again, with the customary uncompli-
nientary 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
I'll never tempt Providence more, on
these night roads"
Across the aisle two young girls were
seated-the one pale-fGced and rather
plain, as Mrs. Esterhall had already
noticed by the light of the cluster Of
lamps under which they were seated;
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 soft. sympathetic voice;
Are you i'll, madam
"N-no," stammered the old lady,
quite forgetful Of her society dignity.
"only am so faint and weary. | ex-
pected 10 dine at home, long before this
hour; and took almost nothing 70 eat
before started.
~ have some nlce, homemade chicken
sandwiches in my bag" suggested the
pretty girl. MY aunt insisted on my
taking them, although dined heartily
before leaving home; and have "a little
alcohol lamp with every convenience
for making good, strong cup of tea as
we'll II you viii allow me to prepare
it for you"
Mrs. Esterhall was a genuine tea
maniac new brightness came into
her eyes at this suggestion.
"You are very kind, said she. Eat
you win want il 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 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 murmurs of the
sweet-eyed brunette. who had changed
her seat and that of her companion to
the one directly back Of Mrs. Ester
hall, and was talking almost in a
whisper.
NO, ! am not going back; and ! do
not intend 10 communicate my address
10 anyone,
mot even 10 him?"
mo, not even to him"
'But he loves you. dear"
ayes; and that is the very reason !
am determined to create no discussion
between him ard his friends Perhaps
he will forge; me"
"He will never do that"
But at least shall feel that have
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"
'And ali this" cried the companion,
''out OF Difference to the whims of an
Did woman whom you have never seenl'
"Out of Difference to his mother, /
Alice, gently corrected the first
speaker.
What a quixotic notioni" dreamily |
nused Mrs. Esterhall "But she has an
excellent idea of duty, this dark-eyed
little girlr'
THAT is you. all over. Efiie! said the
friend. lyon are always effacing your
self in favor of some one else. Here
you are giving all your tea and sand
viches TO a person you have never
heard of, abandoning your seat to
Door little woman with a crying baby,
because IL is trifle nearer the stove,
ind. to cap everything, giving up the
nan you love and who loves you, be-
Because it is my duty" said Ellie.
Please. Alice, don't let us discuss the
natter any longer. 1t is because love
iuy that am willing to sacrifice every
hing for his sake
Guy! Bless my SOUL Guyl' thought
Jrs Esterhall, sitting suddenly up
But, Of course. there are other Guys
han mine in the world"
Just then there was tremble of the
rozen ground under them, roar and
ush of lighted cars past them.
THE western express at lastl' shout
d the choleric old gentleman, bobbing
ID in his seat like an india-rubber bali
"All abo-o-ardl'' bawled the conduc-
or, with twitch at the bell-rope; and
n moved the train at last, creaking
nd groaning like some monster ser
ent in pain. Mrs Esterhall leaned
yer the back of the seat, toward the
azel-eyed girl
My dear" said she, between tie
hrobs of the engine, lis it Guion Is
erhall that you are speaking OFF,
The girl started and coIored sc
ould not repress cry of surprise.