The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1899-01-24

arm, which divided her seat from the
next. Such a pallid hand, SO nerveless
in it's attitude! Something, he knew
not what, prompted Mr. Caulfield to
| touch those pale fingers He bent over
and laid his hand lightly upon them.
Great God, what an icy hand! He
had felt the touch of death on many
sad occasion in the path of duty, but
this was colder than death itself.
cry of horror burst from his lips. He
snatched aside the gauze veil, and saw
face purpled by the awful shadow OF
death.
"Milldale Junctionl Change here for
Broughborough, Mudford. Middle
bridge, Sloughcombe-" and string OF
names that dwindled into silence far
away along the platform.
George Caulfleld sprang out of the
railway carriage like a man dis
traught. He seized upon the nearest
guard.
For Gods sake. tell me what to
dol" he cried. There is a lady in that
carriage dead or dying. Indeed, fear
she is actually dead. She was placed
in my charge by a stranger at Grand
| chester She is to be met by friends
| here. 1t will be an awful shock to
them-near relatives, perhaps. How
am to find them? How am | to break
the sad news to them?"
He was pale to the lips, cold drops OF
sweat were on his brow. All the pent-
up excitement of the last hour burst
from him now with uncomfortable
force The guard was as calm as man
of iron.
| Fetch the station-master here, will
your" he said to a passing porter. Sad
thing, sir" he said, to the agitated cur
| ate; ''but you'd better keep yourself
quiet Such misfortunes will happen.
Well get medical man here presently.
I dare say there's one in the train.
| Perhaps the lady has only tainted.
Hadn't you better step inside and sit
with her?''
They were standing at the door OF
| the carriage. George Garfield glanced
with a shudder at that muff1ed figure
/ in that farthest corner.
mo- he answered, profoundly agi-
tated, 'I could do no good. fear there
! is no hope. I fear she is dead
mo relation of yours, sir, the lady?"
asked the guard, scrutinizing the cur
ate rather curiously.
81 never saw her till tonight" and
then, in furried accents, Mr.. Caulfield
related the circumstances of his de-
parture from Grandchester.
Here comes the station-master,
said the guard, without vouchsafing
any comment on the curate's story.
! The station-master was a business
| like man, of commanding presence, and
| Mr.. Caulfield turned to him as for pro-
| lection
'.What am I to do?" he asked, when
the guard had briefly stated the case.
Nothing, I should think" answered
| the station-master, shortly; but you'd
better stay to see the upshot Of the
business. Where are the lady's friends,
l wonder? They ought to have turned
] up by this time. Johnson, just you go
along the platform to inquire for any
| body waiting to meet a lady from
| Grandchester and send some one else
!
The guard departed ON his errand;
| the station-master staid. In three min
utes the porter came, followed by an
/ elderly man bearded and specialized.
Medical gentleman, SIR said the por-
| ter
The doctor got into the carriage and
looked at the lady.
Bring me better light he asked,
and a lamp was brought
A crowd was collecting by this time,
travellers who scented some excitement,
and thought they could not make bet
ter use of their remaining five minutes
than in finding out all about it.
you'd better send for the police"
exclaimed the doctor, reappearing at
the door of the carriage. This is a
bad case"
"How do you mean?" inquired the
station-master.
81 mean that this poor creature has
died from the effects of narcotic poi
SON.
.sGreat Heaven!" cried the curate; 81
had a presentiment that there was
something wrong
The doctor and a porter lifted the
muffied figure out of the carriage, and
conveyed it to the nearest waiting
room Three minutes more and the
train would be moving.
A police-constable appeared as if by
magic, and planted himself at the cur