Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24

| "a. - VI u'"HS ndd IL all their own way
| Wy frcnchman, since the arrival OF the
| atcst conner. had retired behind a news.
| paper with scowl on his brow, and
Nc9iee Lamont. whose face was gradual
~ becoming more and more drawn and
59abRaru-locking, was chiefly occupied IN
uidMihS up the window. as the train en-
.Situ one OF the innumerable tunnels on
down again.
when Pisa appeared I'm sight. Priscilla
was scarcely capable OF feeling even the
most Ianguld interest as her eyes rested
on the celebrated leaning tower and the
great round dome Of the Cathedral. while
her husband. whose whole mind was con-
Cehtfated on the problem how to secure
1000 Tor his wife and himself IN the five
minutes stop at the station. saw abso-
lutely nothing.
When the station was reached. even be-
iorc the train came 20 a halt, George was
leaning out OF the window reckoning
eagerly, his face looking white and tense
with excitement and resolution. He had
caught glimpse OF one or two men car
fylng on their heads fat open baskets
containing food Of some sort and he was
anxious to attract the attention of one
OF them. But his signals were unfortu-
nately misunderstood: first. there was a
rush OF porters towards his compartment.
thinking he wished TO alight. and then,
when, after many unintelligible explana-
ions and despairng gcsticulations he had
az length got rid Of them he was attack
cd by a woman selling small wax model
OF the leaning tower who would NOT be
shaken Off 1t was not till "Prontip' had
been roared out in a deep voice Of COM
mand. and The train was already in mo-
ton. that he was able 20 sink back I'm his
seat gaSping and painting, but triumphant
IN MS hands two rolls. containing meat
and small flask OF native wine.
HIS tTlunnph lOWoVpr suDc -
after glance q he contents % the roll
which he had ded to her. Priscilla
sank backwards with a look OF sickness
and disgust in her face. from which the
parted. George examined the sandwich
which he held I'm his hand. and then laid
II down on the seat beside him with a
hopeless sigh; hungry though he was, his
national prejudices would not allow him
10 eat raw bacon and sausage redolent
with garlicl
An animated discussion, in which Pris-
ella caught the words Schinken and
Wurst. now took place between the two
German ladies, and then one of them
leaned across the carriage towards Pris-
ella, and offered, in a mixture of broken
English and German, to buy the sand
witches. No. no; they would not take !
them for nothing-they would pay ennen
billigen preis; and she insisted on count |
ing out some coppers into Priscilla's hand. |
Then they proceeded to discuss the re- |
iected dainties with evident satisfaction: |
md, as if fortified thereby, their voices |
went on louder, more eager. more con- |
tinuous than ever. while the train ratified |
along through the endless succession of |
unnels through which this part of the |
Inc passes.
When the sun had dipped behind the
Apennines, and, over in the east. a faint |
ray haze was beginning TO rise, all the
hree Germans rushed excitedly TO the
'ght-hand window, and, pointing TO a
ong blue line of distant low hills with
background of haZy sky cried out with
me voice. ,'Elba; Elba" Even Priscilla
opened her languid eyes and looked but
be Frenchman turned his face towards
he opposite window.
By and by. however, he appeared some
What to recover the amiablity which had
deserted him since the entrance of the
Germans. Reaching up for the white
aper parcel i'm the rack above him. he
egan to make his evening meal with a
heerfui air of enjoyment
Let me counsel you" he said with |
OOd-humored politeness. "to buy only i'm
his country Of barbarians the fowl and
ggs of the fowl. That Is all they have
good"
p the fellowr' George Lamont NUT
cred to himself as he turned his face 10
he window, unable to endure the sight |
{ the others enjoyment, which he chose
consider malicious and insulting For |
mild. scholarly man such as he. il was
|
he day he had felt compelled TO relieve
Is feelings by the use Of strong language
Meantime the gray Of evening was
eeping over the landscape, and a little
i'll breeze began to steal I'm at the win
wv. George and Priscilla. sunk i'm their
rners. were rapidly settling down into
state Of lstless semi. consciousness, due
ten hours of continuous travelling and
ant Of food and they did not notice the
sh Of passengers towards the front OF
=. 20 oh Ynln a
cry station at which they stopped. At 6
myth, at one stoppage, the chance re- !
ark of some Englishman hurrying past
G compartment aroused George.
Why. there is evidently a dining-sa-
IN on the trainw ne exclaimed, as he i
irted to his feet with sudden energy
shall go and secure places. Wait TIL l
come backW Ard springing out he $
ickly disappeared among the rushing, o
ger crowd OF stout Germans, slender
nericans, and stiff English. 4
Priscilla rose and leaned out of the | C
ndow. watching for her husbands re- b
n; but the gray Of the evening had | +
W almost deepened into the darkness s.
night and she could only see rev | Il
-ds ahead of her. Suddenly she felt
lt touch on her arm, and, turning her 3
ID, she saw the Frenchman beside her. Il
If madame would accept my counsel
permit me to conduct her to the sale n
ner2' he said interrogatively. 1T Will
be possible that monsieur secure al
ces for two-look" And he waved his 50
I'd expressively towards the crowd out
still hurrying eagerly forward. n,
he shook her head: she sWould wait for | n:
husband. she said But as the seconds h,
sed. and still George did not return, W
suffered herself TO be persuaded. The az
nchman helped her to alight, and they hi
le their way along the platform. slow Of
for Priscilla's limbs were stiff and SO
milling When they reached the dining
ION. they found the door shut, and sh
unfeeling official standing on the step ST
ing off a small crowd Of eager, hum
people, for whom there were no wi
Zoo later exclaimed the Frenchman, en-
h a shrug of his shoulders. pa
.nd-my husband?' Priscilla gasped. M
here is he?" FRI
hut in the coupe eating a good din ca
+" was the reply in a contemptuous IN
!. as the two turned and moved slowly fe,
K along the platform. DO
sense of desolation swept over Pris- pa
i'm her weakness and exhaustion; In
& welled up into her eyes-tears OF cal
r physical helplessness. She stumbled an
tottered The Frenchman seized her Th
d. and drew II through his arm. tal
'ous voicir' he exclaimed. as he flung eli
/ the door Of a compartment liz
Il there was something in his tone gtI
n somehow frightened her. She cast
lsty glance into the empty compart- pr,
t. and drew away her hand from his he;
This is not our carriage" she eX- COZ
ned and then hurried along the plat ou
with the fictitious strength of fear. "R
e large German was leaning cut OF
window Of the compartment which she
lately quilted. He flung open the
and she sank, gasping and palpi-
4. -.