Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-28
MISCELLANY.
MY TERRIBLE PLIGHT.
by Mrs. Henry Il. Dudeney.

had every reason to be happy man
on that July evening in 1s-, when the
mail train was swiftly carrying me
from Liverpool to London.
was young, my prospects were good
my business flourishing, and was en-
gagged to the girl Of my heart-pretty
Betty Davenport. Her name, by the
way, was Eliza Ann, in compliment to
a wealthy godmother-a dreadful COM
bination, which its owner Indignantly
repudiated. Mr.. Davenport was an. en-
gineer and had lately returned from
South America. Betty had the reputa-
ton of being bit of fiirt, and there
was a certain merchant at Buenos
Ayres, James Andrews by name, whom
her bright eyes and clear complexion
had entirely vanquished. My sweetheart
always looked serious when the mer-
chants name was mentioned. Poor fell
lowl On his side, at least, it was no
idle Irritation. Since the fair English
girl refused him he had neglected his
business and was ON the highroad to
ruin.
Curiously enough, had been mixed
up with his affairs in strange way.
Though we had never met, we knew
each other by name and repute, and as
we were both in the wool trade 1 had
been the unconscious means of discover
ing a big swindle, which he, as q last
desperate resource, had planned to save
him from bankruptcy. The attempt
failed-he was ruined. And by strange
irony of fate the man who had won the
ri l1a hod ir1cf opfa oil in
accelerating that ruin.
So my thoughts ran as the train thun-
dered through the black night
At Rugby another passenger got into
my compartment, of which hitherto l
had been sole occupier. 1 had read the
evening paper down to the advertise
ments and had reread Betty's last let
ter, so the prospect of chat was well
come one. The newcomer seemed as
much inclined for conversation as l
was, and we were soon chatting away
on the thousand and one topics in which
men of the world are interested. A
chance allusion Of mine to South Africa
elected the fact that he had spent some
years of his life there, and this formed
an additional reason for sociability, for
before I succeeded to my fathers Lon
don business had spent two years in
the neighborhood of Kimberley pros
pecting for gold. Apropos of the wild
state of some parts Of the country in
cidentally remarked that the custom ac-
quired there of travelling armed still
chung to me, and I, when on journey,
always carried a pistol.
"Quite an unusual precaution," I
added deprecatingly, Sin this peaceful
old England of ours"
az think it a very sensible one," re-
turned my companion. Zone never
knows when a six shooter may not be
useful. Would you let me see yours?"
1t was an unusual request, and for
the moment rather staggered me. And
as he bent forward / noticed that his
face was working curiously and his out
stretched hands had trembled.
The train slackened speed. We were
stopping at junction.
The porter came along the platform
with his monotonous chant, "Change
here for Chesham." He put his head in
our carriage. EITHER of you gentlemen
for Chesham?" No, we were both bound
for London, SO the man took himself
off. But he looked rather startled, and
well he might. By the light of the Ian
tern he carried he had seen two men,
one bent forward, pale and eager, the
other holding pistol.
1 handed the stranger my pistol for
inspection. 1t was a dainty thing.
was rather proud Of it. My mate in
South Africa had given it me, and my
name was engraved on it.
Horace Bligh," read my fellow trav-
eler. "Soyou," with a steady flame in
his great eyes, "are Horace Blight"
"That is my name," replied, rather
disconnected. The mans manner was
certainly strange He toyed with the
pistol in dangerous way, and we were
going at the rate of 90 miles an hour.
1t was not a pleasant position to be
placed in. began to regret my folly in
complying with his request.
went on coolly: perhaps you had
better return me my property. Pretty
thing, is it not? but loaded and there
fore unreliable. You are handling it
carelessly, and it might go off. It will
be safer in my pocket" 1 reached out
my uduu III NY luIu1 DuI my 4O44OW
traveller deity evaded me- 1 shall never
forget the awful expression on his b. z
gard face.
$50 you are Horace Bligh. Well,
am James Andrews, the man you ha
ruined. Not only that, you have tax
the girl loved. meant to kill mys
if had the chance. have it now. 1
have also the means of revenge. Icou d
shoot you where you stand, but I will
not. reserve for you a more hideo1 is
fate. Twill kill myself with your pistol,
and in such manner that suicide will
appear improbable. On you will fall
Ihe suspicion-nay, the certainty-ot
guilt"
rushed forward and tried to wrest
the pistol from him. A brief struggle
ensued. in which he, endowed with
/, , maniac strength, threw me to the floor
~ Tn'se carriage. Before I could rise he
Glazed tins pistol in the middle Of his
Forehead, fired, and fell dead.
For one moment horror at the tragic
end Of Betty's some time lover banished
ali other thoughts. The next noticed
that we were tlackening speed. ! pulled
down the window and thrust out my
head. We wer nearing the end Of the
tourney. Like ashes of lightning one
Al Il.