Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-07-19

Her humiliation was SO complete that
I had not the heart to proceed, and
was silent.
The train slackened, settled down to
an easier pace and crept decorously into
the station. We landed upon desolate
stretch of platform and stood miserably
watching the lights go out
tWeN, here we are, - said cheerful
ly as darkness slowly enveloped us. Miss
Lambton- Hyatt burst into tears. I en-
treated her, I coaxed her, I comforted
her. If I remember, took her hand IN
mine. She was a pitiful little figure,
with her weeping face above the gay
beauty of her gown 'fOh, what shall
do?" she moaned piteously. "Don't
leave me-. she walled, and held me
tight. "Stay,'' said I, 1--WE will see
what can be done. -
I found the station master going to
bed and conferred with him. Then re-
turned, and Miss Lambton Hyatt clutch
ed ME- "Don't leave me again." she
implored. "This darkness and loneliness
are SO horrible. % ooh, it's all right, ~
said ''There's sort of milk train pass
ing up in ten minutes or so'' Her eyes
opened and shone even in the darkness.
eve will go up in it, Z" added reassur-
ingly. "And we shall get back?' she
cried eagerly. "By or Whereabouts, I
answered. "That's not so very late,"
she remarked
She sighed with relief and dropped
my hand. There was a little pause, and
then she turned to me. "Thank you
very much, Mr.. Somerville," said she.
We spoke little till the train came,
but as the engine came putting through
Miss Lambton- Hyatt eyed it with favor,
and then, "It's bother getting to bed
so late," she remarked quite coolly.
We made the journey in silence. I
upon.
"You will Think said Miss Lamb
ton-Hyatt as I conducted her to her
home, "that I have betrayed my sex.
protested.
"No,'' said she peremptorily, sit is
idle to deny it, know what you are
thinking" t'In that case, of course, "
said T. ''But you are wrong" said-she
frankly, turning upon her doorstep 81
have latchkey," she explained. 'tOf
course" I assented. "No; you are
wrong,'' she repeated, lifting her fine
eyes and regarding the white stars in
philosophic beatitude. ono doubt,
agreed. "You see, went Oh Miss Lamb
ton-Hyatt, taking no heed Of me, "our
cases were quite different. You had no
one to be anxious about you sNot a
soul,' said. "And then was in even-'
ing dress, which is not suitable, and
and rather embarrassing when''- Seer
tainly." said promptly. ''The cases
are quite different, and if had been in
evening dress, and, still more, if had
had some one to be anxious about me,
I should"- eyes, Mr.. Somerville, just
as much as I was, she said firmly.
"Well, now,' said I, "why not let us
put the cases square?" "What do you
mean?" she asked, looking puzzled.
"Why," said I, ''give me some one to
be anxious about me. " "You can't in
vent people like that, she replied, and
turning her back on me put the key in
the latch.
"Stop!'' called ssDon It turn that! ''
She faced me Indignantly. "What
right she exclaimed. I seized her
hand-the one with the key. "Answer
me, said authoritatively. "Will you
square the cases?''
A flood Of color surged over her face.
"Shouldn It L be increasing my own re-
sponsibilities very much?" she asked,
with little, low laugh. sob, I will
take thosep' I answered, pulling her
closer.-H. B. Marriott Watson in New
Budget.