The record-union., 1898-05-08

p6cCeQIy charged with an OnenSe Whlcn
he had not committed. How was 1
to clear myself? What reason had
to suppose that my word would be be-
lieved in preference to his? The out
look was alarming in the highest de-
| gree, and inspired me with uncOm-
Portable foreborings.
The train began to slacken speed, and
shortly afterward slowed into $.
The crisis was at hand, and l quite
lost my head. Hearing outside a cry
of "All tickets ready" I remembered
that I had no ticket, and in my furry
l, unthinkingly. proceeded to carry out
my original programme. Throwing my
self on the floor, / scrambled under one
of the seats just as the train came to
standstill Almost Immediately a
great cOmmOtiOn arose on the plat
form. Loud exclamations and the
sound of hurrying footsteps struck my
ear. The carriage door was thrown
open, and, at the same moment, clear
perception of, the bIunder ] had made,
under the circumstances. in hiding my
self, shot through my distracted brain.
But it was now too late to. think of
lremedying the mistake and / did not
move. My face being turned inward
toward the partition. | could see moth
ing of what was going on.
There amt anybody here, guvnor!"
said a voice.
NONSENSE" exclaimed another, which
I recognized as that of my late COM
panon; "he must be here"
"Ah, there he isl" cried the first
voice, and I felt a hand clutch my
ankle. Come out of that, DYE
hear?"
I obeyed at once. without a word;
and getting on my feet, stumbled out
on the platform. l found myself in
the presence of a knot of railway Off
cials and others. Among the latter was
my sallowfaced accuser, who recoiled
before me as if in terror.
Don't let him come near me!' he
cried; I've had enough of him."
A tall, muscular porter caught me by
the arm.
Let go." I cried I'm innocent"
Now, you've just given yourself
away, you have" said the man. tight
ening his grasp. Innocent of what,
eh? Who says you've done anything"
And wot was you skulkin' under the
seat for if you didn't do it?' demanded
a fellOw-porter severely
They hustled me along to the COM
partment in which the tragedy had
been enacted. Here an awestruck group
collected round the open door, made
way for us. I glanced in, and beheld
the victim lying stretched along the
floor. It was just then. I recollect, that
another train. coming from the direc-
tion of c.. glided into the station
and drew up at the opposite platform.
Il can explain everything" / said
with a shudder. t.
ooh, 1 dessay," interrupted the tall
porter, but take my tip and don't say
nothing. The police has been sent for,
and will be here directly. Hulo!"
He dropped his arm as he uttered
this ejaculation, and every person in
the crowd, including myself, took an
involuntary step backward. for to the
CONSERVATION of all, the supposed
supposed corpse had slowly risen to
sitting posture. While we gazed at
him in amazement he got on to his feet,
yawning and stretching his arms. Find
ing himself the cynosure of so many
pairs of eyes, he came out of the car
riage and looked around inquiringly.
What's up?" he asked, in manner
betokening displeasure. What the
blazes are you all looking att"
Well, I'm bowed" exclaimed the
tall porter Then you ain't-hurt?
Hurt? No. I'm all right. l fell
asleep and awoke tumbling off the seat
There was a rummy sort of cove sit
ting opposite me, and l remember he
jumped up in a funk and Knocked his
fist through the window. | should
think he must have cut himself BADLY
Why, there he ISL pointing TO the SAL