The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-26
A MISTAKE.


and her mother had spent the last two
years in travel Zona's mother was a
wealthy widow, and Zona was an only
child
The important subject under discussion
on the October morning which brings
them to our notice is an invitation to be
present at the wedding In the north Of
England.
But here was dilemma. Mrs. Sheldon
was so indisposed as to be unfit for the
journey, yet she did not wish Zona 10 stay
at home. Mrs. Sheldon had firm belief
that IL was perilous undertaking to
travel In q compartment car unless there
were 80 many passengers that there was
no possible danger of assault
Mo- Ing saw cur heroine at th6King's
Cross alton anxiously scanning the car
riages make sure of one well filed and
at Lea ! ne or two ladies in it. At last
she s.w one that met her requirements,
and, sir ling a coin into the hand Of the
guard, she entered.
The train steamed out Of the station,
and Zors took survey of her fellow trav-
elers. There was family-father, mother
and three children, an elderly lady, two
business men, and In one corner a man
whom she did not particularly notice.
For awhile she looked out of the window,
admiring the flying landscape Tben she
produced book and began to read. Anon
a new sensation stirred within her. She
drew out her dainty little watch and looked
at It, 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 of her
gloves, tucked them in the pocket of her
jacket and began to eat The man in the
corner took this opportunity to read the
title of her book.
'Biglow Papers, 1 know she's an
American. / can see it from the tip of
her nose to the toe of her little boot.
didn't know before that eating was one of
the fine arts. T"
Zona, all unconscious of his scrutiny,
finished her dinner, returned to her book
and fell asleep for awhile She did not
know when some of the other occupants
of the compartment got out, and about A
o'clock she was reused by hearing the
mother of the family say: "Wake up now,
Tillel Wake upi We get out at the next
station"
Zona looked about with a start to see
the October day darkening down and real
ize that when the family party should
leave the train she and the man in the
corner would be the only occupants of the
compartment
For moment Zona was possessed with
an insane des'-e to scream, and only by a
strong effort controlled herself. 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.
He reached under the seat and took out
q small hand satchcl, which he opened.
Was he going to get revolver9 No, 1t
would be knife. A revolver would make
too much noise. She watched him with
fascinated eyes
He took out something small and slipped
it into the pocket of his coat. Soon he
rose again and sauntered to the far end Of
the car. He lit taper, bent down and
was engaged with something. What was
1t?
Zona put her hand to the window and
made desperate effort to open 1t, that she
might be ready to call the guard. The
man heard and turned. He came quickly
forward. "Allow me" he said.
"Oh, no, thank you," said Zona hastily
She felt sure he had discerned her pur~
pose, and that there was covert menace
I'm his tone.
"What a powerfully built fellow he isr'
went her thoughts. What villainous
countenance! One can see he is desper-
ate fellow. am sure he is looking at my
ring"
Now, the ring was very beautiful dia.
mond, given to Zona by her mother, and
Zona, with disregard Of conventionality,
wore it on the finger which Is usually set
apart to carry the signal of engagement
Therefore his thoughts were: "Engag.
ed! Well / don't wonder. She surely is
the loveliest girl I ever saw. 1wonder
who the happy fellow isa What can bc the
matter with her, though? She doesn't look
q bi.-,ike she did the first part of the day.
I've a notion to speak to her. An Ameri-
can girl isn't likely to he SO squeamish az
. native. Here goes"
"I beg your PARDON" he said aloud.
You look wearied. DO you go much far
sher?''
An Englishman wouldn't speak with
cut an introduction, thought Zona, II he
hadn't some design.
1t was some little time before the ques-
tion was answered, for she was making a
calculation whether II she told him that
her journeys end was near he would be
likely to make the best Of his time and at.
tack her Immediately, or whether he might
perhaps abandon his purpose altogether.
So some time had elapsed I'm the uncertain
ty when she said, 81 don't know, sir"
Zona again attempted to open the win
dow, and this time with success Soon
the darkness increased and the hollow
rumbling told that the train had entered
. tunnel All at once she felt sharI
sting and shrek from her mingled with
the yell of the engine as it gave vent tc
its JOY at emerging into daylight again
The man was at her side.
"I beg pardon for intruding Are yor
hurtr' he asked anxiously.
Zona thought his anxiety was caused D,
fear lest the guard might have heard ne'
scream. At the same time she became
conscious that the pain was In her rign
eye. A cinder from the open window nae
lodged I'm IL.
''If you would let me, [" said the stranger
producing from his pocket q handkerchief
"Chlordformi" flashed through zona'