The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-05-25

allied by the lIgh
| of single incan
| descent lamp, was eagerly dcvourin,
the contents of spicy novel. Tw,
| colorcd portcrs lay stretched upon TIN,
benches, sound asleep. The handsom,
corridor was empty, and rs my heav,
heels struck tho stone flooring tb,
vacant halls brought back short
weird echo.
The clerk looked mp from his bool
and nodded pleasantly as 1 posse,
through into the street and rain
Without, the heavy downpour ha,
transformed the broad, asphaltcd ave
| nues of tho Capital City into miniatur,
| rllls. 1t was late in autumn, aid Ia,
thIch darkness of that unearthly hour
together with tho fearful storm. nj
lowed even the cnbbies and hnckme,
to cease their lonely vigil for n chanc,
fare, and seek shelter.
One solitary cab, which I lad taken
the precaution to order tho evenin.
previous, stood by the curo. | but
toned my macintosh closely about
my throat, and admonishinc the cab
man to drive with all possible haste.
Tor had to leave on that early trnin.
and there was oaly twenty short min.
utes to spnrc--was about to enter tho
cab.
One foot was already inside, when ]
heard some one running, and the next
instant felt hard hanl clutch nv
wrist. l turned quickly and faced the
intruder.
'Onc moment, he managed to ejacu.
late between his gasps for breath, "I an,
Just chasing to the depot to catch the
carly train for New York. Accidentally
overheard You instruct the drive. I'm
all out of breath and nearly exhaust
cd. 70 mss that train would DELAY
some hours-causo great loss finnn.
clally. Won't You let mo share your
cab with you?"
III was II very impertinent request
Tor an utter stranger to make. There
was not time to think, and though |
Gld not fancy strangers, and dislike to
be lntruled upon, yet it was such a
plain, outspoken request, and such an
honest face confronted mine. that |
snothered my prejudices and nut
tered '.iump in."
During the nasty, damp ride to the
railway station, neither Of us said %
wori. Several times my companion
pressed his head against the wet glass
window and pcercl into the darkness.
Once he took out II small silver watch,
but 1T was too dark to sec the time.
AS we neared the depot, he again
opened his watch, this time striking n
tn Ialf 30 '
he whispered, anxiously; "we'll Just
make IT.. AS the cab stopped, ho
hurricdly opened the door, snatched
his valisc each Of rs carried n small
satchcl-and with short "hurry,"
ran into the depot, | following close
Mt his heels.
Without pausing to glance on either
side he quickly reached the entrance
to the platform. Then, increasing his
velocity and brushing the gatcman,
who wns on the point of closing, rude
~ aside, we rushed pell-mcl through
the gates. ], being in the rear, Just
barely managed to board the last car
ms the train pulled out of the shed.
Congratulatin8 myself upon not hav.
ing missed the train, | looked back.
ere entering the coach, at tho
receding depot Two men, APP
parcntly lat", were running down
the platform rs fast rs their legs
could carry them, yelling Stop!
stop! But ihc speed Of the engine
increased, AMI we rapidly passed out
o. view.
Missed, hv Jingo!" hcarl Mt my
elbow, and turning saw my partner
Of the cab stretching his neck to watch
the !ntc-comcrs. He laughed. and
slapped me f:miinrlv on the shoulder,
"Wcll, old man, We caught her.
Let's ait down"
| did not relish his unconventional
familiarity, an felt somewhat disin-
c':n'dto continue the acquaintance;
but long, t!rcsomc journey was be.
fore rs, through n country SO we'll
known to me rs to be divoid OF any
interest, AMI being an exceedingly
poor traveller, | silently acquiesccd.
Once comfortably y seated, and divest.
cl of our wet outer garments hcavcd
u SIGH Of relief, and Proceeded to in
vcstigatc, for the first time, my self
invited companion. He was man of
medium build, with no particularly
noticeable Tenrurcs save pair OF penc-
trating, stccl9 eyes, which, even
from their deep sockets, seemed to
pierce me through and through, and
hold me with n power almost hypnotic.
a broad brimmed slouch hat.