The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1896-07-09

%60A 09NG|t S'N4 AStsS@-S NNS
I was standing by Bernie at the rail
and the men were lounging about the
long seat in the centre. Alison Lad
just told me, 1 remember, how mrcn
better I looked than when I left home,
together with some irrelevant matter
of a fattering and personal nature,
when we whisked into the semi-da1k-
ness Of a snow-shed. It was the long
est snow-shed I ever went under, and
standing as I was at the edge with the
water dripping through almost down
my neck, I thought it would never
come to an end. I began snigerlns
and imagining horrors. Just as [ saw
daylight ahead, we dashed into the
blackest Of tunnels. This was too
much, and I made an unsteady lurch
toward the seat It was, Of course,
dark as pitch. I hadn't the remotest
idea where the others were, except
Bernie. who was standing beside me
when I moved, and, as 7 noticed when
we came into daylight again, Charlie
Hicks, who stood on the other side OF
her. The other two men we're some
where on the centre seat. When We
went into the snow-shed. thought /
saw them move away. At all events,
when we came out of the tunnel, they
were both disappearing into the Eext
car. The frumps kept in position.
But in the meantime, most extraor-
dinary thing happened I started to
cross over, as 7 have said, but, before
I reached the seat, oue or the other Of
those wretched men took me in his
arms and kissed me-"
"Why will people 60 where there
are tunnels? That sort Of thing is
constantly happening
"Now the point is this-which one
of them was it? They were both
clean-shaven," she said unblushingly;
ssI was too shocked to notice other
details
"Did YOU scream9'
II was just about to when he re-
leased me and fed. I stood in startled
silence MLea M.Laea tsihei,gnr 'catue, as <
did q second later, both men were
crossing the platform. Then I sat
down and reviewed the situation.
Which Of them was it? lam free to
confess that was not speck inter
ested in Tom before. There was a
flavor OF insipidity. But from that
moment T felt that he was worth eui-
tivating. shouldn't have been sur
prised at Alisors-"
ssOh," said the friend meekly.
"-but somehow 7 did not fancy 1t
vas Alison. Presently 7 made up my
mind to say nothing about it. 1t was
dinner time before I saw the two men
again. Do what I would, I could sur
nrise no consciousness in their man
ner. Tom and Bernie kept up their
back-chat aud I tried 70 inveigle Ali
son into some admission All the while
I felt that it was Tom. Oh, what
time T had of it! At first was not
much excited, believing it to be only
8 matter o: hours before ths guilty
person suceunbed. But never did I
imagine a secret could be so well kept
by two men Of only average ability
whea all is said and done"
The friend murmured.
'sThe ways I tried to get it out of
them without betraying myself! Ali
son soon got the idea that | was max
ing myself agreeable to him and if
anything I hate, it is that"
"What?"
s'To have anyone think I am max
ing myself agreeable. So then I de-
voted myself to Tom. 1t was natural,
possibly, that he should presently
have glim nering that 7 liked him.
Under the influence of my blandish-
ments-ob, how I worked to get it out
of him - be began to think he liked
me. Bernie WAS a bit vexed, but
Charlie Hicks Was far more suitable
for her. It was the mystery that at
tracted me. I invested Tom with all
the dashiug fesh-pots one hankers
after. As for love? Pouft 1t was
curiosity I was simply consumed.
When Tom proposed, accepted him.
T would have accepted Alison too, if
he had asked me. Surely when Tom
kissed me, he would make
some illusion to that other kiss.
Not q word, not a hint. / hadn't
really the remotest idea of marrying
him. When all else failed, I intended
to ask him point blank, although the
difficulties il that direction at the
tins we're very greet. Suppose he
hadn't been the man? Fancy the rip
ping row he and Alison would have
hod Decidedlv it was better to wait