The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-14

II. Neither sound nor motion was dis
cernible from the recesses behind the
curtains. In a little while the young
man came back, showing the freshened
effect of cold water and hair brushes
and moved the bottom of the curtains
aside sufficiently to shove his bag un-
der the berth. AS he rose to his feet
again the car saw that he was looking
down re0ectively at the cargo OF rice
which covered the floor. He continued
to regard it for some time, flxedly.
Then he raised his eyes and surveyed
the car There was more or less un-
suppressed smile on every face, but tho
young man still showed no embarrass-
ment His eyes travelled down ono
side and back the other. and they were
filed only calm thoughtfulness. Then
he arranged the folds of the heavy cur
tains with elaborate solicitude, and fin
ally went forward again and whispered
something to the porter. The car. tn
passenger, would probably have
gladly paid double fare to have heard
those half dozen whispered words. Tha
pretty mystery was assuming propor-
tions. But the porter only said: Yes.
suh." And then the young man went
over and sat down gravely in an end
seat from where he looked smack into
the face of every soul in the car.
BY this time it was no longer interest
that moved the inmates of the car; It
was palpiiation of the heart. The air
was crisp with expectation-it seemed
certain that the bride must now make
her appearance.
The next moment the porter came
down the aisle toward the bridal sec
ton. He was a fat and very black por-
ter. For an instant he paused before
the silent curtains. Then a thrill of
horror ran through the car and sew
eral men got half way to their feet.
with two swift movements he had
pulled the curtains wide apart and
was humping and pulling at some
thing within! Another Instant and
horror had given way to amazement.
| for the inside of the berth Immediately
became visible to all who cared to see.
Ine porter was making up the section.
The bi .de had vanished.
The car turned swiftly to the hap
less bridegroom on the front seat. An
expression of Arcadian simplicity rest
| ed on his countenance.
| 4 few moments later the porter start
! ed toward his linen closet, but half
! way down the aisle he was held up by
a half dozen male passengers with
wonder-stricken faces.
! What has become of the bride?'
| thcy demanded.
The porter scratched his head and
locked at them uncomprehendingly.
Then he showed his teeth In a grin.
"Oh, the bridal couple wat got on at
| Suspension Bridge?"he said. They
done left the train late last night They
didn't have Cheir section made up. Tha [
! gentleman down in front of the car he
had upper one. n he kicked so | shift .
ed him over soon as the bridal couple
left"
The car turned again toward the
! young man on the front seat, The eX
preston of Arcadian simplicity was
stll with him, But for the first time
across his face there glimmered a
| faint, thoughtful smile.
The half-dozen male passengers and
the porter held a moments consulta-
tion in the middle of the car Then
they came forward, and one of theil
number said something In low voice
to the young man on the front seat
The young man rose to his feet, still
smiling thoughtfully
Il see," he said softly. 81 don't care
If | do"
As the crowd filed toward the buffe
car some one in the rear of the pro
cesslon began to whistle Mendelssohn'
wedding March" Then the passen
gers In the seats began 10 laugh,
To Prevent the Grin