River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-08-20
AN UNCONSCIOUS MARTYR.
Sacrifice of Gallant Lover In Passing
Through Several Tunnels.


Sacrifice of - Gallant Lover In Passing
Through Several Tunnels.
The train was already on the move as
they emerged breathless from the rapid
descent of the steep staircase on to the
Cover street platform, and there was
only time TO jump hastily into the first
carriage that presented itself. Being
very young and also very much in love
indeed, they were to be married within
week--they would naturally. had
there been time to choose. have tried to
find an empty carriage for their jour
ney to Earl's court, where they had de-
cided to spend the evening. Jacks"
eyes said as clearly as words: ''That
fellow In the opposite corner is an in
fernal nuisan ce," and equally clearly
Mays look could be translated: ayes,
! do hope he'll get out at the next sta.
ton"
But Portland road came, and "the
fellow in the opposite Corner" who, TO
do him justice, was a decidedly good
looking man, still maintained his seat
"Shall we get out and look for an empty
carriage?" whispered May. II am
afraid il wouldn't be very much good"
returned "Jack." There seems to be
an awful lot of people about tonight
and we might get out of the frying pan
into the fire." May. glancing through
the window at the crowded platform,
was bound TO agree with him. after
nll," she reflected, that horrid man is
sure TO get out soon."
Roll 81.
the ''horrid man" still retained his seat.
May was conscious that he kept looking
at her rather euriously. She was glad
that the light in the carriage was so
dim; ii seemed TO her, somehow, that il
was DINNER than usual. She felt that
she was blushing under his glances,
why she did not exactly know, but was
consoled by the thought that in the bad
light the bushes would pass unnoticed.
Between Edgeware road and Praed
street the light got obviously worse.
The eyes OF the three occupants of the
carriage were ny common instinct
raised toward il. 81 think it is going
out" whispered JACK.
He was right. AS they left Praed
street the gas suddenly went out en-
tirely. "Shall we get into another car
riage?" said Jack, who had put his head
out of the window and ascertained that
the defect in the gas supply, whatever
II was, was confined solely TO their
compartment.
May darted mischievous little look
at him. "Oh, no." she said; "it doesn't
matter" and the next moment the train
had plunged into darkness again.
When they emerged into the light of
the next station Mays cheeks were
slightly fiushed-her breath seemed to
be coming rather quickly.
81 am sure" protested Jack, "you are
afraid, and the distance between this
and the next station is even longer. We
had really better change carriages"
He did not quite catch her answer,
but il sounded something like ''ridicu-
lous," and before he had time to repeat
his question they were in darkness
again. AS he had said, it was an extra
long distance to the next station. When
the train emerged into the light Mays
cheeks were more flushed than ever,
her hair seemed to have lost something
of its usual careful arrangement.
II believe" whispered Jack, 1.-The dis
lance between this and the next sta
ton is further than that between any
two on the line. Let us jump into the
next carriage before IL is too late. It
is all very well for you to protest that
the dark doesn't brighten you, but am
sure 1t does"
"Nonsense!" was the answering whis-
per, and again the train plunged into
the tunnel, which this time seemed al.
most interminable.
When at last they did come out into
the comparative brilliancy of the sta.
ton lights Mays cheeks were glowing
a rosy red: her hat had tilted slightly
to one side, her whole appearance
showed the excitement under which she
had obviously been laboring.
81 told you So" said Jack, as they got
out at Gloucester road and looked about
for an Earl's court train; your nerves
were not equal TO il. However, there
is no more underground now; it is an
open-air run to Earl's court"
Arrived there, May and Jack got out
and walked slowly up the steps. En-
route he remarked on the state of heI
hair and hat
"But it was not my fault, Jack" pro.
tested the girl: ''why couldn't you
waltz I'll never let you do such thing
again."
do what?" said Jack, astonished.
"Why, kiss me, of course, and with an.
other man in the carriage, too. / was
in terror all the time"
"But 1 never kissed you at ALL" pro.
tested her lover.
"Good gracious! Then 1t was that
wretch opposite. knew he was hor.
rid" She broke of abruptly. after
all, Jack" she said, with an air of res
ignation, 'it doesn't matter, for
thought OF you. and you only, all the
timei''-pick-