The herald., 1896-01-04

down the train for a doctor; something which
exasperated him strangely when all his exer-
tions failed to fnd one. Obviously there was
no medical man living near.
Mr.. Yorke next turned to the tall pas
senger, introduced himself as a newspaper
man. The tall man. who had been scowling
blackly over Mr.. Yorke's intervention looked
greatly relieved upon hearing that gentle
mans profession, and readily consented to
give his version of the matter for publica-
ton. But. first of all, he desired that note
should be taken, before the guard went ON
with the train. that that official admitted the
accident was due to the negligence Of the
railway company.
That's right, Mr.. Gresswell" said the
guard, with bloodless lips.
"Well, just tell this gentleman about it,"
repoined the passenger. sharply. and in a
tone of annoyance.
The guard recovered something OF his COM
posure. apparently, as the effect Of his as
perity and proceeded: "a few moments be-
fore the-the fatality, happened to look along
the train, and l noticed that the handle of
this gentleman's compartment was not fas-
tened"
"How did you know It was this genteman's s
compartment from that distance?" interjected
MIR. Yorke
"Of course, he didn't know till he go
there" put in Mr.. Gresswel, hastily.
mo, of course / didn't know till I got
there" repeated tne guard. II suppose, look
ing back now it's all over, It would have
been wiser to have stopped the train but we
were Stacking down our speed passing Eve
sham Woods, as we always do, and the car
rage was not far from my van, so I started
out to turn the handle The lady fell out
just as was about to reach the door. With
another step l could have prevented the ac-
cdent"
Ibid she fall out backwards or face fore
mos?" asked the journalist.
"Oh! backwards. sir" was the answer.
mo. think you're wrong, guard" again
interposed Mr.. Gresswell, with a snap.
Let me think moment" said the guard,
placing shaking hand TO his clammy brow.
Yes. she fell face foremost. of course. !
can see her now."
In the meantime the tall passenger-or as
the guard called him, Mr.. Gresswell-told the
journalist the story he desired to have pub
lished. His wife he said. had suffered from
a painful illness. which he specified. and had
been under the care Of DR.. Steinway, of Vic
toria street. He was taking her down to the
seaside at her own wish. Certain suspicious
which had been forming In Mr. Yorke's mind
took definite shape from the moment OF this
lame explanation. II he now became an ap-
pearently more sympathetic listener it was
by dint of the stimulation which discretion
suggested as a cloak to the hostility which
began to take possession of him.
MY wife rose to il it was raining, u
proceeded Mr.. Gresswell, land looked out
Of the window
An obvious lie, reflected Mr. Yorke for
the person who was lifted into the carriage
in the helpless condition of this invalid could
not rise and go to the window unassisted
But he said nothing.
"As l looked around" continued the be-
reaved husband, II saw her falling for
ward. l clutched at her, just caught the
edge of her dress. and it came away in my
grasp as she disappeared through the door
which had been so neggently left unfastened
Here is the piece Of material which was left
in my grasp, and here is the place from which
it was rent"
Now Mr.. Yorke saw the reason for that con.
tradiction Of the guard by Mr.. Gresswell, and
the necessity for the story that the lady fell
face foremost. The rent was exactly in the
center Of tho back, in the edging.
Before he had finished his interview with
NJ. Gresswell the journalist was confident