The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-06
A HIGHWAYMAN.

IONA Sheldon was making the Eu
ropean tour; her education was fin
ished and she and her mother had spent
the last two years in travel.
Zona's mother was a wealthy widow,
and iona was an only child. Her read
ing and culture had given zest 20 her
travels, and she had understood as well
as seen.
The important subject under discus
sion On the October morning which
brings them to our notice is an invita-
ton to be present at wedding in the
north of England.
But here was n dilemma. Mrs. Shell
don was so indisposed as TO be unfit for
the journey, yet she did not wish Zona
to stay at home.
Unhappily, among other ideas per-
haps little erroneous, Mrs. Sheldon
had firm belief that it was perilous
undertaking to travel in a compartment
car. unless there were so many passen-
gers that there was no possible danger
of assault.
"I don't want you TO consider me mt
all, Zona," said her mother, 81 am not
i'll, only just indisposed enough not to
feel able TO take such n journey. You
know Mrs. Cannot will take good care
of me. If you will promise not to go
into an empty compartment, l think
Il can rest easy"
'Nery well, mother, / will promise
YOU that" said Zona.
Morning saw our heroine at the
Kings Cross station anxiously scanning
THE carriages to make sure of one well
filled and Mt least one or two ladies in
at. At last she saw one that met her re-
Iquirements, and slipping coin into the
hand of the guard she entered.
The train steamed out of the station
and iona took survey OF her fellow
travellers. There was n family-father,
mother and three children, an elderly
lady, two business men and in one cor
neI man whom she did not particular
ly notice.
She took out her fountain pen and n
sheet of paper, and wrote: "All safe;
compartment full" At the first stop
ping place she gave il to the guard and
the busy wires carried IL TO her mother,
setting at rest her fears.
And now iona, who was good trav-
eler, settled down TO enjoy herself. For
awhile she looked out of the window,
admiring the flying landscape. Then
she produced n book and began TO read.
Anon a new sensation stirred within
her; she drew out her dainty little watch
and looked at IL. Twelve o'clock and 20
minutes. Two hours since she had
started. She laid down the book and
opened the little lunch basket, then she
drew Off her gloves, tucked them in the
pocket of her jacket and began 10 eat.
The man in the corner took this OPP
portunity TO read the title of her book
''Rigelow Papers" 81 know she's an
American" he thought. IL can see Il
from the tip of her nose 20 the toe OF
her little boot. i didn't know before
that eating was one OF the fine arts"
IONA, all unconscious OF his scrutiny
finished her dinner, returned to hei
book, and l must admit, fell asleep foi
awhile. She did not know when some OF
the other occupants of the compart
ment got out, and about four O'Clock
she was reused by hearing the mother
Of the family say: Wake up, now
Tilliel Wake upi We get out ut the
next station"
iona looked about with a start to sec
the October day darkening down and
realize that when the family party
should leave the train, she and the mar
In the corner would be the only occu
pants of the compartment.
Hereupon occurred strange thing
iona, who had never before felt fear
In travelling, began 10 recall her moth
ers stories with which she was wont tc
fortify her theories of the dangers o.
travelling i'm compartment cars.
For moment Zona was possessed
with an insane desire 10 scream, ans
only by a strong effort controlled her
self. The man I'm the corner, who up (,
thIs time had not moved from his sea
nil day, now rose and walked TO tn
other end of the car. Zona tremble'
with fear He reached under the sea
and took out n small handsatchel, which
he opened. Was he going 70 get re
volver? No. IL would be n knife, n re
volver would make toofnuch noise. Sh
watched him with fascinated eyes. III
took out something small and slippe'
e into the pocket of his coat. Soon h
rose again and sauntered TO the far en-
OF the car. lie lie taper, bent dow
and was engaged in something-wha
was it2 Zona put her hand TO the win
dow and made desperate effort :
open IL, that she might be ready TO cal
the guard. The man heard and turned
he came quickly forward: "Allow me,
he said.
"Oh. no, thank you, said iona. hast
y. She felt sure he had designed he