Daily camera., 1901-07-30

regiment, but at least we'll soon have
you back at Sedgwick," was the pur-
OF their number.
Then came warnings to leave the
train. The conductor was shouting
"All aboard" and, bearing her with
them, they rushed unanimously TO the
rear platform. Then, very slowly at
first, the car began to move, and the
other occupants of the Pullman pokcd
their heads out of the windows and
looked back along the platform, as ac-
clamations followed them. But Mrs.
McLane still shrank behind the lowered
shade, her heart beating strangely, and
her ears straining as though to catch
the tones of n voice long unheard, last
heard only with sweet emotions. Man
ly tones were shouting Godspeeds and
Igood-bycs Womanly voices were add
ing their inconsiderate pleas for lot
tcrs, and then as the speed increased
and the voices died away the passen-
gers slipped back to their sections and
strove not to seem to be on the watch
for the return of the bride. 1t was
quite little while before she reap
peared. Mrs. McLane was conscious
she was coming because of the back
ward glances of her fellow-travelcrs,
and, under their long lashes, her own
eyes took their eager, side!ong peep.
She came slowly, a tail, soldierly form
in gray travelling garb close at her side,
one arm half encircling, half support
ing her. She had evidently been weep
ing little, for as she seated herself and
looked fondly up in his face the great
lustrous, deep-brown eyes were wet
with tears, but the face was glorificd
by the love and trust that shone in them.
A broad-shouldered back, bending de-
votedly over the girl, was about all
Fanny McLane could see of the escort.
but it was enough to cause her heart to
stand suddenly still. She felt as though
she were choking, as though she must
have air. Then she heard his voice,
deep-toned, manly, tender, the very
tones her ears had been straining TO
hear a few minutes before, and then,
springing from her seat, her handker-
chief raised to and shrouding her face,
she too hurried to the rear door of the
car and stood there clinging to the rail
for support. The man in gray, the de-
voted bridegroom, was Randolph Mer-
riam
And there at the rear door she how
cred until the clouds of choking dust
OF the car. and fragrant cigar smoke
was drifting from the room in which
her husband and his cron.es were play
ing whist. II only the long car were
turned end for end. II only she could
get Eer bag and reach the wOmcn's toll
et-rcom unobscrved. Let him, and his
and that girl-see her looking as she
was now mot for worlds. Get to that
toilet-room and wash away the CRIME
ard dust and cinders, get out her alco-
hol lamp and curl that rcbellious,
stTingy front" and prink and powder
and retouCh those faded lashes and
brows-all this she must do before fac
ing him and her. But how TO get there
without being seen. She must pass
them so close as almost TO touch his
shoulder. No! \ furtiye peep from
behind the brown curtain into the dim
interior revealed the broad gray shoul.
ders bent far over to the girls end of
the seat. He was leaning over her,
looking down into her eyes, talking
earnestly TO her. There was no comfort
in the sight. II stung her TO instant
action. They were running swiftly
down grade now. following the wind
lugs OF the San Mateo, but she made a
rush for her section, grabbed the hand
some silver-mounted bag that lay just
within reach. and with bowed head and
bent form was fastening on, when the
forward trucks struck a sharp curve,
the big car gave a sudden lurch that
tumblcd her into the section directly
In front of the blissful couple. and
sprawled her ANONYMOUSLY upon the
front seat. The occupant Of the other
was a snoring commercial traveller. Her
bag dropped in the crash, fell to the
floor. and burst open. and before she
could recover herself or its contents,
the man in gray had sprung to her aid,
had bundled an escaping scent-fiask
and other trifies back into the recepta-
Gle. shut its silver lips with a snap.
and. bowling courteously, endeavOred
TO restore it. Averting her face-cov-
ering il almost with her handkerchief
she strove to rise and go her way, but
the car still swayed and swung. He put
forth a helping hand to lift her TO her
feet, but she did not see it. Scrambling
ont. still hiding her face, she seized
again her satchel, and, never looking,
never speaking, hurried past, him and
disappeared at the forward end of the
car. leaving Merriam gazing blankly,
fixedly after her.
Didn't she speak to you at all?"
asked the bride, moment later. as
Merriam, with a strange. dazed look
on his face, returned TO his seat by her
side. I'm afraid she's dreadfully hurt,
for her knee struck the seat-arm ever
so hard"
And stiY Merriam could not speak.
What is it, Randy?" she whispered,
after moments anxious study of his
face. You look so-unlike yourself"
With an effort he pulled himself to-
gether. Did you see her face, Floy,
dear? What was she like?"
Why, She's blonde With only got
a glimpse Randy-she'S blonde with
light hair and blue eyes. She might
be pretty. Why, dear?" And the dear
came so timidly.
II thought had seen her before,
but it's impossible-absurd. Go on and
tell me what Mrs. Grafton wrote you,
sweetheart. Never mind the capsized
blonde just now"
But he himself could mind" no one
else when, half an hour later, there
came tripping down the aisle from the
ladies' toilet-room slender, graceful,
stylishly-draped figure with such a
radiantly-pretty girlwoman face-a
fair, sweet blonde, with lovely curling