Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-02-17

Wutl TSllSNSu WIEN sue lSdTueu ludl 4
train for Hull would start in ten min
utes. Hurrying to the ticket-office she
found there before her a kindly faced
woman with baby in her arms, who
was just taking third-class ticket tc
Hull, and as she felt lonely and timid,
Thelma at once decided to travel third
class also, and if possible in the same
compartment with this cheerful ma
iron, who, as soon as she had secured
her ticket, walked away to the train
hushing her infant in her arms as she
went Thelma followed her at a little
distance-and as soon as she saw her
enter third-class carriage, she hast
ened her steps and entered also, quite
thankful to have secured some COM
partnership for the long, cold journey
The woman glanced at her a little
curiously-it was strange to see SO
lovely and young creature travelling
all alone at night, she asked kind
ly--
BE you goin' fur, miss?"
Thelma smiled-it was pleasant to be
spoken to, she thought.
Yes" she answered. "All the way
to Hull"
IT'S a cold night for journey"
continued her companion.
Yes, indeed" answered Thelma. at
must be cold for your little baby"
And unconsciously her voice sottened
and her eyes grew sad as she looked
across at the sleeping infant.
"Oh, he's as warm as toast!" laughed
the mother cheerily. He gets the best
of everything. he do. It's yourself
that's looking cold, my dear-in spite
of your warm cloak. Will we have this
shawl"
And she offered Thelma homely
gray wooden wrap with much kindly
earnestness of manner.
II am quite warm, thank you," said
Thelma gently, accepting the shawl,
however, to please her fellow traveller
1T is a headache l have which makes
me look pale. And l am very, very
tired!"
Her voice trembled a little,-she
sighed and closed her eyes. She felt
strangely weak and giddy,-she seemed
to be slipping away from herself and
from all the comprehension of life,-
she wondered vaguely who and where
she was. Had her marriage with
Philip been all a dream?-perhaps she
had never left the Altenfjord after all!
Perhaps she would wake up presently
and see the old farm house quite I'M
changed. with the doves flying about
the roof, and Sigurd wandering under
the pines as was his custom. All, dear
Sigurd! Poor Sigurd! he had loved
her, she thought-nay, he loved her
stiil,-he could not be dead! Oh, yes.
she must have been dreaming,-she
felt certain she was lying on her own
little white bed at home. asleep; she
would by-and- by open her eyes and get
up and look through her little latticed
window, and see the sun sparkling on
the water, and the Eulalie at anchor
in the Fjord-and her father would ask
Sir Philip and his friends to spend the
afternoon at the farm-house-and
Philip would come and stroll with her
through the garden and down to the
shore, and would talk to her in that
low, caressing voice of his, and
though she loved him dearly, she must
never, never let him know of it, be-,
cause she was not worthy! She
woke from these musings with vio-
lent start and a sick shiver running
through all her frame,-and looking
wildly about her, saw that she was re-
Ginning on some ones shoulder,-some
one was dabbing wet handkerchief
on her forehead-her hat was off and
her cloak was loosened.
There, my dear, you're better nowr'
said kindly voice in her ear. "Lor!
l thought you was dead-that | did!
Twas a bad faint indeed. And with
the jolting along like this too! 1t was
lucky | had a flask of cold water with
me. Raise your head little-that's 1t!
Poor thing,-you're white as sheet!
You're not fit to travel, my dear
you're not indeed"
Thelma raised herself slowly, and
with a sudden impulse kissed the good
woman's honest. rosy face, to her In
tense astonishment and pleasure.
You are very kind to mel" she said
TREMENDOUSLY. II am so sorry to have
troubled you. do feel ill-but it will
soon pass"
And she smoothed her ruffied hair,
and sitting up erect, endeayored to
smile. Her companion eyed her pale
face compassionately. and taking up
her sleeping baby from the shawl on
which she had laid it while minister
ing to Thelma's needs, began to rock
it slowly to and fro. Thelma, mean
while, became sensible Of the rapid
movement Of the train.
I'VE have left London" she asked
with an air OF surprise.
Nearly half an hour ago. my dear. ;"
Then, after pause, during which she
had watched Thelma very closely, she
said
nI think vnu'rn married aren't Won