The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-08
AN UNCONSCIOUS MARTYR.
Sacrifice OF . Gallant Lover In PasstR
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 discovery much IN love
indeed. they were to be married within
a week-they would naturally, had
there been time to choose. have tried to
find an empty carriage for their jour
new to Earrs court, where they had de-
cided to spend the evening. Jacks
ewes said as clearly as words: THAT
fellow in the opposite corner is an H.
fernal nuisance" and equally clearly
Nays look could be translated: Yes,
1 do hope he'll get out At the next sta
ton"
But Portland road came. send "tht
fellow in the opposite corner" who. ia
do him justice, was decidedly good.
looking man. still maintained his seat
'Shall we get out and look for an empty
carriage?" whispered May II am
afraid it wouldn't be very much good"
returned sack" 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
ALL" she reflected, that horrid man IS
sure 70 get out SOON"
Baker street, however. passed. and
the "horrid man" still retained his seat.
Nav was conscious that he kept looking
at her rather curiously. She was glad
that the light in the carriage was 50
dim; it seemed to her. somehow, that it
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 Edeeware road and Praed
street the light got obviously worse
The eyes of the three occupants of the
carriage We're by a common instinct
raised toward it. II 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
it was, was confined solely to theii
compartment.
May darted mischievous little lool
at him. ooh, 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 flushed-her breath seemed to
be coming rather quickly.
81 am sure" protested Jack, you arr
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 it sounded something like "ridicu'
lous," and before he had time to repea,
his question they were in darkness
again. AS he had said. it was an extra
long distance 20 the next station. When
the train emerged into the light May,
cheeks were more flushed than ever,
her hair seemed TO have lost something
of it's usual careful arrangement
81 believe" whispered Jack, "the dis
lance between this and the next sta
ton is further than that between any
next carriage before it is too late. II
is all very well for you to protest that
the dark doesn't brighten you, but am
sure it 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 it. 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 her
hair and hat.
"But it was not my fault, Jack" pro-
tested the girl; why couldn't YOU
wait? 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 it was that
wretch opposite. knew he was hor-
rid" She broke of abruptly after
all. Jack" she said, with an air of res
ignation. at doesn't matter. for
thought of you, and you only. all the
time,"-Pick-Me-Up.
The Uon~n