Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-04

OK W traVelln8'
~ Zona's mother was q
wealthy widow, and Zona was an only
child. Her reading and culture had
given zest to 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-
tion to be present at wedding in the
north of England.
But here was dilemma. Mrs. Shel.
don was so indisposed MS to be unfit
for the journey, yet she did not wish
Zona to stay at home.
Unhappily, among other ideas, per.
haps IL little erroneous, Mrs. Sheldon
had firm belief that it was perilous
undertaking to travel in compart-
ment car, unless there were SO many
passengers that there was no possible
danger of assault.
81 don't want you to consider mo at
all, lona," said her mother, 81 am
not i'll, only just indisposed enough
not to feel able to take such Journey.
You know Mrs. Gannot will take good
care of me. If you will only promise
not to go into an empty compartment,
l think | can rest easy"
Very well, mother, 1 will promise
you that, SAID Zoaa.
Morning saw our heroine ut the
Kings Cross station anxiously scan
ming the carriages to make sure of one
well filled, and at least one or two
ladies in it. At last she saw one that
met her requirements, and slipping n
coin into the hand of tho guard she
entered.
The train steamed out of the station
and Zona took survey of her follow
travellers. There was family father,
mother and three children, an elderly
lady, two business mon, and in one
corner man whom sho did not par-
ticularly notice.
She took out her fountain pen and
a sheet of paper and wrote: "All safe
compartment full" At the first stop
ping place she gave it to the guard
and the busy wires carried it to her
mother, setting at rest her fears.
And now Zona, who was a good
traveller, settled down to enjoy herself.
vi awhiie % sue looked out OF the WIN
now ~, aulnlfing 'he hyihg landscape.
linen she proouced oook and began
to read.
Anon a new sensation stirred within
net sue urew ou1 ner dainty little
watch and looked at it. Twelve o'clock
and twenty minutes. Two hours sinre
sie n"'' SSarVeo' one lalu aoWn the
DooN anu opeheu Ihe lt1Ie lunch
pashet' tGen she ure" OH her gloves,
.uche" tlem IN inc pocket OF her
Jacket ana began TO eat The man In
Une corner took 'his opportunity to
Ieau Iue tlIle Oh hef Dooh' blSeiow
iapers' 1 kno" she an American" "
ne thought l can see 1t from the
UP OF her nose TO the toe OF her little
poot'
Honn, Ian UNCONSCIOUS OF hlsscrutlny,
iln'sued Ecr dinner, returned tc hef
DooH, ana L must admit, fell asleep
lor whlle. She dld not know when
some OF the other occupants OF the
compartment got out, and about 4
CLOCK she was reused by hearing the
mother OF the family sny: wake up
now, lille! Wake mp! We get out
ut the next station"
iona looked about with start to
see the October day GGrkening down
and realize that when the family party
should leave the train, she and the
man IN the corner would be the only
occupants of the compartment.
Hereupon occurred strange thing.
Aona, who had never before felt fear
IN travelling, began to recall all her
mothers stories with which she WAS
wont to fortify her theories of the
dangers OF travelling in compartment
cars.
For n moment ZonG was possessed
with an Insane desire to scream, and
only by strong effort controlled her
self. The man in the corner, who up
to this time had not moved from his
seat all day, now rose and walked to
the other end OF the car. Zona