Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-04-05

| leTTupteu NdIIIe "oIus' ME GsteI :
hall rose hurriedly from her seat,
grasped her gloves and eyeglasses and
made all haste out of the restaurant.
When the waiter came with the
chicken salad and the tea, he found
his customer gone The unconscious
Miss Chippendale and her friends en-
loved their Vienna chocolate and
oysters fritters very much indeed
Mrs. Esterhall decided to return to
the manor at once Carrie Chippen-
dale's graceful treachery had affected
her more than she had deemed posi-
BILE; and, leaving a hastily written
note to explain to Guion that she had
altered her plans, she took the late
express, which reached Clevedon juno
tion at nine, there connecting with a
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 a heavy snow fall
the night had settled down dark and
tempestuous, and the train was run
ming behind time. At last it came
to full stop. Mrs. Esterhall started
from a doze and looked anxiously
around her.
"Ten o'clock" some one said, con-
sulting a watch why, conductor
we are due at Clevedon at five min
utes before nine !"
Eyes, l know, sill" spoke the Off
cial, "but the road is all blocked, and
the Western express is overdue at 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 be little
frightened.
Conductor" said she, sis there any
danger of collision?''
"No, ma a'am--not as long as we re
on this side of the switch"
Isn't there dining car attached
to this train ?"
"No ma 'am-this isn't the through
express, but l hope we shall not be
detained here much longer" the con-
ductor cheerfully added.
Slowly the minutes dragged them
selves by, gradually lengthening into
hours. The passengers gathered ii
knots and whispered. One or two o.
the more adventurous spirits got out
peered into the darkness, heckeC
only by the driving snow, and then
got in again, with the customary un'
complimentary comments on the rail
way management. Mrs. Esterhal
was nervous and unaccustomed tC
travel alone. 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, or
these night roads.
Across the aisle two young glrll
were seated-the one pale-faced anc
rather plain, as Mrs. Esterhall haC
already noticed by the light of th'
cluster of lamps under which they
were seated; the other a brillian
young brunette with soft hazel eyes
peachy cheeks and wavy dark brown
hair, brushed carelessly back from {
low, broad forehead. Presently tn
latter rose, and coming to Mrs. Ester
halls side, asked in soft, sympathetic
voice:
Are you i'll, madam"
"N-no," stammered the old lady
quite forgetful of her society dignity
"Only I am so faint and weary
expected to dine at home long befor
this hour, and l took almost nothing
to eat-before started"
Il have some nice, home-mad
chicken sandwiches in my bag" sug
gested the pretty girl. my aunt in
sisted on my taking them, although
dined heartily before leaving home
and l have little alcohol lamp wit
every convenience for making a Gu
of good, strong tea as well. If yo
will allow me to prepare it for you
Mrs. Esterhal was genuine tea
maniac. A new brightness came int
her eyes at this suggestion.
"You are very kind" said sh'
But you will want it yOurself?"
NO" smiled the girl. Il don
care for tea. But my kind old aur
would put the things in. Now l al
glad that she did so.
In FIVE minutes, Mrs. Esterha
LII oo+o, on1 drrnl and felt infinitl