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

he is a desperate fellow. How foolish
l was to let my watch and ring be
seen am sure he is looking at my
ring"
Now the ring was beautiful dia-
mond, given to Zona by her mother,
and Zona, with disregard of conven-
tionality, wore it on her finger which
Is usually set apart to carry the signal
of engagement. Therefore, his
thoughts were, Engaged! Well,
don't wonder, she surely is the lowell
est girl I ever saw. l wonder who the
happy fellow is. What can be the
matter with her, though? She doesn't
look bit like she did the first part of
tho day. I've notion to speak to
her; an American girl isn't likely to
bo so squeamish US a natiye-here
goes"
81 beg your pardon" he said aloud
You look wearled. Do you go much
further?"
can Englishman wouldn't speak
without an introduction, thought
Zona, "if ho hadn't some design"
1t was some little time before the
question was answered, for she was
making calculation whether if she
should tell him that her journeys end
was near he would be likely to make
the best of his time, and attack her
Immediately, or whether he might
perhaps abandon his purpose alto
gcther. So that, as l said, some time
had elapsed in the uncertainty when
she said:
81 don't know, sir"
"You have never been in this part
Of the country BEFORE" he said tenta-
lively.
She answered in brief monosyllables
to this md several other remarks, and
he, perforce, relapsed into silence.
"Ho wants to mako mo talk and
throw me off my guard" thought
Iona, again attempting to open the
window, and this time with success.
Soon the darkness increased, and the
hollow 1umbling told that the train
had entered II tunnel. With the echoes
laundering in her ears, Iona's nerves
strained to catch any sound of motion
made by her companion. All at once
she felt sharp sting, and shrek
from her mingled with the yell of the
engine, rs it gave vent to it's Joy at
emerging into the daylight again.
The man was at her side.
81 beg pardon for intruding; are
you hurt?" he asked anxiously.
Zona thought his anxiety was caused
by fear lest the guard might have
hno hnr hn
she became conscious that the pain
was in her right eye. A cinder from
the open window had lodged in it. "If
you would let me-" said the stranger,
producing from his pocket handker-
chief.
"Chloroform flashed through
Zona's brain, and she shrieked out.
"No don't come near me-"
"Poor thingl" thought the would-be
Samaritan. "She must suffer dread
fully"
Then aloud 81 am sure if you would
only"
"No, tell YOU" said zona, vehc-
mently, with a stamp of her foot.
The man subsided into his corner
and Zona, with her eye fast swelling,
bitterly repented her temerity in
Uakiug the journey.
'1'll never travel alone again Oh,
dear | don't suppose I'll ever travel
at all againl / have laughed at dear
mamma, and thought her fussy. /
ought to have considered that she
knew the world better than ]"
And then came long whistle. The
man in the corner rose, snatched his
satche, the guard unlocked the door
Newcastle, ma'am; you're at your
journeys end" and he picked up her
valise
Will Zona Sheldon ever again know
such a sense of relief, or will any
other face ever be SO welcome to her
us was that of the burly guard, as he
made this announcement to her? She
was safely on the platform, and q
coachman narrowly watching the pas
sengers, stepped up to her, saying
"Mr. Mowbray's carriage tor Miss
Sheldon"
81 am she," she said, in a voice
which her mother would not have rec
C9ulHeu.
"Let me have your valise, then, Z"
said tho coachman, extending his
| hand.
He opened the door, and Zona, step
ping into the carriage, sank back on
tho cushions and burst into hysterical
| tears.
The man who had been in the cor
ner, standing with satchel in his hand,
gave low whistle as the sight met his
gaze through tho window. Walking
forward to the coachman he said,
"Giye mo lift, Riley; l guess I'll
ride with you"
"All right, Mr.. john" said the
coachman, lifting up the satchel.
Come down from EdInbro, sir?"
"Not directly, Riley. Let me down
at the gate, and don't tell them I've
come, [ want to have bit OF joke
with them.
"Hall right, sir"
$50 that is the travelled young lady
who is to be bridemaid tomorrow,
and stand up with me If Pm not mucl
| tl,n will INo -, 80