Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-05-09
A STRANGE ADVENTURE.
BY Il. Fairfax Byine.

The circumstances ! am about TO re-
late happened IN the beginning OF my
career as high school teacher, but
the solution VI the mystery did not
reach me until many years afterward.
Ny fathers Will left us girls unpro-
vlded for, the small fortune which he
ssessed independently Of his earn
ings only sutiicing for the needs Of my
mother. Ilere were three of us. | am
Eleanor, the youngest. The future Of
my sisters gave no cause for anxiety,
as they were engaged to be married;
It was | who formed the knotty point,
for as | had not their personal 0ttrac-
tlons, and was moreover, In character
somewhat pronounced and thorny, the
resources Of matI'mony did not enter
into my calculations. My father,
whose favorite companion ] had been,
had, however, given me a first-rate
education, intoxicating at the same time
spirit Of independence. Upon his
death, therefore, recalling his counsel
TO stand in the world on my own basis
armed my spirit to meet the future
opening somewhat obscurely before
me, and determined to solve It's prob
lens for myself
| considered myself fortunate when,
by a lucky chance ! was engaged al
most Immediately by the head-mistress
of a high school In the northern town
of M, as the least among her under
teachers, at a salary Of $50 per annum,
together with board and lodging
This seemed To me satisfactory rs a be-
ginning; il insured me Independence Mt
least And when at the end Of my
first term | received the first install
ment OF my salary IN the shape Of i
pound note no budding merchant,
contemplating the successful issue Of
an early enterprise, could have felt
prouder or more elated than | did
This was the foremost tiny ship return
Ing laden with treasure from the land
of promise WHITTIER ] had sent all my
airy Gcet
How my first ship was wrecked be
fore 1t quite reached harbor forms the
subject of this story
1t was a point Of pride with me to
be able 10 carry home the note intact.
My mother had supplied me with a
small sum 10 start with, and during
the term | had been SO economical
that, when 1t was over. | had one SOW
ercign and few shllings left; these
coins would suffice FOR the Journey
home. Accordingly | drove to the sta
ton with a full purse
Ihe train l had chosen TO travel by
was an early one, and few save third
clasS passengers were likely to be
starting with me-
This improbability Of any fellow
travellers of interest rendered. the
sight OF a somewhat noticeable figure
ut the station entrance matter for
surprise
4 tall young man stood leaning
against the door of the booking
pernslng the ground with a depressed
and even hasgard air His dress was
shabby. ana yet he possessed refine
mcnt, ana his features were finely
cut. lie looked UP rs ! stepped from
the cab, and his expression of troubled
absorption changed gradually to one
VI az tiiid'cd iu'el'Nl. tlill'ot S"A
thal there was anything taItering IN
the gaze with which he favored ms,
neither did | feel ii 10 lie insulting;
there was In 1t something curously
imper~enal and vel eager
! stood by the cab paying the driver
and giving orders about my luggage,
ami Ne watched me all the time.
Then ! ~ SSed him and Went into the
station
The next time became conscious "
ms presence was when standing bc-
fore the Ticket window in the booking
Office ! had opened mS purse 10 take
our my sovereign when something.
kno" net What caused me ~ turn my
head sharply aad +" glance over my
shoulder Immediately | perceived thc
Young man stood on HIS other side If
me tlit lie WAS leaning dYer mc ANA
WAS looking Jhts time, Hot III nat, but
rurlouSh aud easrrly into my purse
"S01uMd-elasS Single III NtdUttfari t'