Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-04
copyright. 1906. by J. B. LIppincott Col


mention it, l remember having made
note of it with the intention of asking
the landlord to define it for me-"
II don't know what we've been
thinking of, to let you stay there at
ALL" interposed Ludlow. IF you'll ex-
cuse us for few minutes, my dear,
we'll just step down and get Ring
brands luggage to-night-I suppose
you travel in a grip, don't you, Hugh?"
"Yes, or at least in two of them;
they're not heavy, though"
Two days earlier, while his train was
stopping at Chilwanee Junction to
transfer passengers to the Harmony
Valley branch. Hugh Ringbrand had
seen girl descend from the through
train and cross the platform to the ac-
commodation. She was strikingly
beautiful, after type quite unfamiliar
to the student; and the passing glimpse
he had of her face made him wish that
he might study it at leisure. 1t sud-
denly occurred to him that there was
nothing in his purposeless plans to pre-
vent it; and he hastily transferred him
self and his belongings to seat in the
other train, whence he could continue
his observations. The study once be-
gun, the beauty of her face grew upon
him, pushing him swiftly to the conclu-
sion that nothing short of acquaint-
ance would enable him to complete his
character-sketch; and, not being a
commercial traveller, the simpler
method of obtaining the desired de-
gree of intimacy did not suggest it.
self. On the contrary, he could think
OF no better expedient than to leave the
train at the young lady's destination,
trusting to the chapter of accidents for
further help. The absurdity of this
hastily-approved design appealed to
his sense Of humor when the conductor
asked for his fare and he was unable
to tell the official where he wanted to
go.
81 have no ticket" he said, "but will
pay to the end of the line. How much
is it?"
"To Kingville, sah?"
"Yes, that's the place-Kingville. It's
singular how these names escape one,
isn't it,"
"Oh, l dunno" replied the man; II
forgit sometimes m'self. Two dollars
and fo'ty cents; There's your change"
The accommodation was mixed
train Of empty coal and iron cars tow
ing single passenger coach; and on its
slow progress up the valley Ringbrand
had ample opportunity to analyze his
subject so far as simple observation
would serve him. Before they reached
Tregarthen he had fair mental pic
ture of the oval face, lighted by eyes of
a dusky hue rarely seen in the Anglo
Saxon types; and he had even gone so
far as to try to transfer it from his
mental camera to a leaf of his note
book. The pencil-picture was fairly
good, from technical point of view,
but when he saw how the black-and-
white suggestion failed to give even a
hint of the transparency of her COM
plexion, or of the changeful expression
that came and went on her face rs she
turned the leaves of her book he tore
it up and dropped the fragments out
of the window. The book suggested
IN idea, and he got up and walked down
the aisle, catching the title in passing.
"'St. Elmo,'" he unused; that's healthy,
but it's no indication of character; l
suppose every young woman reads Miss
Evans. She's reading intelligently,
though; anyone can see that; she
doesn't look as if she'd be guilty of
skimming. How the mischief am l
ever to find out who she is? Hello!
she's putting the book away; this must
be her stopping-place."
The train was slowing into Tregar-
then, and Ringbrand got his luggage
ready for strategic pursuit. 1t was
quite dark by this time, and he did not
mean to lose sight of her until he was
quite sure of her destination. When
the train stopped she tripped lightlyup
the aisle, and Ringbrand followed,
reaching the car door in time to see the
conductor help her down the steps; but
when he attempted to get off, the man
stopped him.
Hold on" he exclaimed; "this amt
your town; we amt half way there
yet"
That's all right. I want to stop
here. I've changed my mind" pro-
tested Ringband, trying to get past
him.
"Well, jest hold on minute; don't
be in sich turrible rush; I collected
your fare to Kihgville, an I've got too
much of your money"
Hang your fare! don't want it,
Let me get Off"
"All right, cap'n; jest as you say"
replied the over-zealous conductor,
swinging Ringbrand's valise to the
platform. There you are. right side
up with care"
AS he had feared ;the slight delay lost
him his opportunity; when his glance
searched the small platform, his travel
ing companion had disappeared, and he
was not the man to- make hap-hazard
inquiries about her of the struggling
loungers at the station. When the train
had departed, he saw the glare of an
iron furnace short distance farther
up the track, and the twinkling lights
of a town on the hillside above the sta
ton. While he was wondering if there