The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-08-20
AN UNCONSCIOUS MARTYR.

Sacrifice of y Gallant Lover In Passing
Through Several Tunnels.
The train was already on the move ~ |
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 tho 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. "Jack's"
eyes said as clearly as words: "That
fellow in the opposite corner is an In
fernal nuisance" and equally clearly
Mays look could be translated: Eyes,
I do hope he'll get out at the next sta
tion."
But Portland road came, and "the
fellow in the opposite corner" who, to
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 slack" "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, shat horrid man is
sure to get out soon."
Baker street, however, passed, and
the ''horrid man" still retained his seat.
May 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 Edgeware road and Praed
street the light got obviously worse.
The eyes Of the three occupants of the
carriage were by 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. t'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 their
compartment.
May darted mischievous little look
at him. "Oh, no." she said; lit 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 Aushed-her breath seemed to
be coming rather quickly.
II 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 it 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, "the dis
ton is further than that between any
two on the line. Let US jump into the
next carriage before it is too late. It
is all very we'll for you to protest that
the dark doesn't brighten you, but I 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.
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.
IT 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. I was
| in terror all the time"
"But 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 dir Of res
ignation, lit doesn't matter, for I
thought Of you, and you only, all the
time!"-Pick-Me-Up.
Tho Lovable Woman.
Very lovely and lovable is the woman
who has cultivated q disposition angelic