Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-04-20
II will 60 into MarIcotta's,' she

eraliy was at that time OF day; bul
presently the old lady succeeded in
obtaining seat in a curtained
angle, where the waiter took hel
order for a chicken salad and q
cup of tea. Just then she heard a
clear, low voice on The other side OI
the drapery, as party settled
themselves at a reserved table
Miss Ohippendale's soft, well
mOdulated tones.
| 'Oh, yes, Irving was very fine,
said Carrie. "OySters, please "A
box stew for one and fritters for
two and three cups of Vienna
chocolate, nicely frOthed, waiter
bat all the same, nearly died OF
ennui. The old lady Is the most
dreadful bore you ever knew, and
Guy is a regular prig. HAndso ne 1
you know, and very talented, o
course; but one don't want to be on
full.dress parade as to ones brains
the whole tlmc. He isn't half as
nice as Freddy FOrtune-only poor
Fred hasn't cent to bless himself
with, and papa looks thunderclOudS
at me whenever he calls. But
once Fm married, it"
a chorus of well-bred gigglln g
interrupted Carries words. Mrs.
Esterhall rose hurriedly from her
seat, grasped her gloves aud eye
glasses and made all haste ont of
the restaurant. When the waiter
came with the chicken salad and
the tea, he found bis customer
gone. The unconscious Miss Chir-
pendale and her friends enjoyed
their Vienna chocolate aud oyster
trltters very much indeed.
Mrs. Esterhall decided to return
to the manor at once. Carrie
ChippendaIe'S graceful treachery
had effected her more than she had
deemed possible; aud, leaving a
hastily written note to explain to
GuiOn that she had altered her
plans, she took the late express,
which reached CleyedOn Junction
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 running behind time.
At last it came to afull stop. Mrs
Esterhall star ted from do2e and
looked anxiously around her.
"Ten O'clock" some one said.
consulting watch. "Why, con
ductor, we are due at Clovedon
at five minutes before Dine!'
eyes, l know, sir" spoke the
official, "but the road is all block
d, and the Western express is
overdue attbis point. We're wait
ing here for the signal TO move
on,
"And what's 10 keep US iron
waiting all night - petulantIy in
, quired the old gentleman.
"Nothing, sir-unIess the Wes
: tern express is heard FROM"
Mrs. Esterhall began to be a lit
tie frightened.
! "COnductor," said she, sis there
any danger of colllsiOn!'
"No, ma'am-not as long az
we're on this side of the SWITCH
"Isn't there dining car attach
ed to this trainf'
No ma'am-this isn't The
. through express, but l hope We
= shall not be detained here mucl
longer" the conductor cheerlully
added.
Slowly the minntes dragged
. themselves by, gradually lengthen
ing into hours. The passengers
gathered IN knots and whispered
One or two of the more adven
. turous spirits got out, peered into
, tue darkness, fecked only by the
driving snow and then got in
, again, with the customary uncOm
p!imentaIy comments on the rail
way management. Mrs. Esterhal
was nervous and unaccustomed tC
travel alone. She began to crJ
softly behind her veil.
"Ah,' she thought, "if ever
} live to get safe homo again, II
stay there. I'll never tempt Prov
idence more, on these night roads,
Across the aisle Two young girls
were seated-the one pale.fdceC
t and rather plain, as Mrs. ESterhal
, had already noticed by the light o
. the cluster OF lamps under which
they we're seated the other a bril-
liant young brunette With soft hazlC
D eyes, peacby cheeks and wavy
, dark brown hair, brushed careless