The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-10-04
WAS HE A MURDERER

of physiognomy and have an irresistible
habit of studying faces that encounter
in public. On one occasion at least this
faculty has led me into a serious pre-
dicament.
The incident occurred on one of the |
railways between London and west of
England.
As soon as l had conveniently disposed
Of my belongings in compartment and
wrapped myself in my rug, proceeded
lelsurely To take survey of my fellow
travelers-a young man and girl ap-
parently travelling together.
The style of the young man did not
please me. He looked "horsy." His
attire was a great deal too cloud" for
my taste, and on his little finger he wore
diamond ring-most probably sham
diamond, decided. He was not ugly,
but obtrusively big and strong looking,
and | saw at once that he was in very
bad temper.
The girl, on the contrary, pleased me
extremely; she was exceedingly pretty,
and she was daintily dressed and ex-
quisitely refined looking. was struck
by the fact that she seemed to share my
objection to her companion, for she
avoided his attempts to catch her eye,
keeping her face carefully averted from
him, and when he spoke to her she an
swered in monosyllables, without look
ing around. l noticed also that her
pretty, childish face bore signs of re-
cent weeping and that now and then
her blue eyes filled with tears. | even
fancied that she cast plaintive chances
in my direction, as though unconsciously
seeking for help and succor.
With my usual quick sympathy
soon felt deeply interested in the lovely,
innocent looking young creature, who
was apparently in the power of the mo-
rose scoundrel beside her, and | began
to consider what means should adopt
to make her understand that | compre-
hended her sorrow and desired to help
her. No better idea suggested itself
than to offer her my copy of Punch,
which did with deferential bow and
look which fattered myself would
reveal my sentiments toward her.
have always been told that have a
most expressive countenance.
She declined the paper, but her eyes
met mine with an eloquent look and
felt that | had established an under
standing between us.
Then a brilliant idea occurred to me
| could not talk to the girl right undel
the eyes of the scowling villain beside
her, but if | feigned sleep he might b,
thrown off his guard and disclose tn,
situation to me. | forthwith gave sew
eral portentous yawns; then leaning
back in my corner | spread handker
chief over my face so as to conceal IN,
features, but not to prevent me from see
ing my companions, and after a littl
while commenced to snore.
BY and by the ruse seemed successful
, The young man, after several unavailin
attempts to gain the girls attention, too
hold of the tiny gloved hand which ha
been lying listlessly in her lap, and a
she still continued to look the other wa
suddenly bent his head and kissed it.
, "How dare your" she cried, hastil
!, drawing away her hand, while sh
: turned and faced him. How dare yo
touch me, even when you know-yo
know A Hood of tears made the re-
, of the sentence inaudible.
! The man looked at the girl with a ha
remorseful, half impatient expression.
4 Come, Evelyn" he said after paus
n "crying won't do any good Forgi'
0 and forget" and he attempted to put h
: arm around her waist.
r "Forgiving won't bring back to life
she cried passionately, shaking herse
8 free, land as to forgetting, | neve
q never shall. How could you have Il
heart? He never harmed your
It NO" replied the young man, with 1
a. unpleasant smile, land he won't ha
>. the opportunity now."
II "You never cared for him." sobb
~ the girl; "you never had kind wo
for him.
"But | tell you it was in self
fense"--
le And | tell you that don't belle
i. it," exclaimed the girl. HE never wor
re- have harmed us, and you-you ne,
id gave him even chance for his lif
D. And she hid her face in her hands a
i'd sobbed convulsively.
II By this time | was becoming aim
"a apoplectic from horror. There was
of one Interpretation to be put upon
ia conversation. The man before me-h
Mt true had been my first impressions
,is him!-had caused the death of fell
he creature, and the pretty fair haired G
IN by her very loathing and repugnan
in was perhaps recklessly risking a SINH
he fate. My blood curdled at the thong
,r. but by strong effort | repressed
a feelings and continued to strain my e
ne to the utmost, and to snore as nature
Dr. as was possible with every nerve quiz
,e- ing from terror.
err Evelyn" said the man, evidently
Ike ing to be conciliatory, and as he spc
,m forcibly drawing the girls hands fl
he her Evelyn, surely you an
its need not quarrel about the affair? |
sure you acted for the best. He VIC
undoubtedly have proved dangerous
US both"
the ooh" cried Evelyn, looking at
err with flushed, tear stained face and fl
avs ing eyes, "then, if you fancied that |
cen going to prove dangerous to you, she
DIS |, too, fall victim to poison!"
CHI, As the terrible words passed her
rot the engine gave shrill whistle and
the train rushed into a tunnel, the Il
rich rendering a reply impossible. l W.
the have given q good deal for a glimps
and the mans face at that moment, but t
irst were no lights in the carriages.
il When after IL few seconds, W