Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-27
Christmas Rose: A Mystery.
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CHAPTER ].
TOTGNG HOME

Christmas eeve, and darkness had already
fallen over the snowy streets of the old
city. Through the crowd towards a
patform where, train from London, 60
ING northwards. was already waiting.
moved a gentleman, upon whom more
than one person paused to bestow a sec
ond glance There WAS an air of distinc-
ton about the tall, vell-lCnit figure, that
would have been visible, even had he been
stability attired; aand the bronzed face,
though not strictly handsome, was sim
grllarly attractive. He looked more than
lis seven-and. twenty years, and yet the
keen interest with which he regarded the
commonplace scene around him, was
nlore in accord with early youth than
with maturity just the ordinary hustle
of arrival and departure, the ordinary
types of English people. But to this
traveller a charm was over all He was
in England, and signs of the great Eng
jhsh festival were all around him. And
four years had passed away since last he
saw an English Christmas.
'Inglesaht! Is st actually you?"
hand he had not clasped for four
wears was held out to him. and Needless
Of the waiting train, he fingered with the
old comrade thus met by chance.
Hamlyn had just arrived from London
to stay with friends in Greyminster
Inglesant was on his way to join his
nearest living relatives, at their country
house.
The banging of the carriage doors
brought the unexpected interview to an
abrupt termination. Dare Inglesant
sprang into the train, just as it began
10 move, and had barely time to return
Hamlyn's good wishes, before the young
mans friendly face, the platform, and
the lighted station We're left behind.
Then lnglesant observed, for the first
time, that the compartment had one
other occupant lady. She leaned back
in the far corner, closely wrapped in
cloak. which entirely enveloped her fig
IRE. Her hat was large one, and as her
head dropped, shaded her features.
The moment he beheld her, he was
touched in a manner wholly ineXplicable
to himself. Why was it that his travel
ing companion suggested at once some
thing strange and sorrowful and disturb
ing, and yet not all painful?
She was richly dressed. The golden
brown CLEAN of sable caught the light,
from the folds of the long dark cloak.
Grace and elegance were equally appar-
ent. He thought she must be young, for,
even in its wrappings, her form APP
peared slender and supple.
Was she sleeping, or only utterly list
less, weary, or absorbed in her own
thoughts? That half-averted face was
never once turned towards him. Not 4
movement broke the stiffness of her at
titude. Only the long plumes of her hat
stirred a little, as the frosty air blew in
through the open window.
He opened a book and pretended to
read. The printed words had no mean
ing He was specializing as to his com
paiIion's possible history. Surely it was
odd that she should be travelling alone at
night. So young, so tenderly reared. so
fair! How did he know, after all, that
she was either? That half hidden face
and form, fully revealed might prove
him mistaken in the conclusions he had
jumped to.
He tried in vain, as they sped EDWARDS
through the night, to shake off the sem
sation of oppression, that grew stronger
and stronger. They passed through little
country stations without slackening
speed; they stayed some minutes at
large town. She at the end of the COM
partment furthest from the platform,
remained still as ever. No one else en-
tered, and they went on once more-past
the suburbs, out into the country; snow
clad fields, and trees all white with frost,
flying past them, and here and there
cluster of cottages, or farm house,
where it was easy to picture Christmas
gladness.
A sudden blank, and a rush of close
air. reminded him that they had entered
long tunnel The lady, like himself,
evidently preferred cold to n close atmos-
phere; but she would scarcely wish to
breathe this. Surprising LAT she must
be asleep, he went quietly totthe window,
and drew it up; and as he did so he ven
tured to regard her more attentively
than before.
Sleep? Was this sleep? Her eyes
were closed. but no breath seemed TO
come from those parted lips.
She has fairHed!'' he said to himself.
and with almost remursetul feelings.
very tenderlv he removed her hat, and
lcosened the frrs and laces at her throat.
But for the long lashes and delicately-
penciled brows, the face he hooked upon
might have been ehiseled from Parian
marble, it was so eolorless, and so perfect
III form-the face of young girl, lovely
aspect. Her hair was of fair brown
color, and, somewhat disordeTed. fell in
loose waves and curis about her long
white throat The pity that is love itself
woke i'll Dare's heart at signt Of her.
There was brandy in his travelling bag.
He brought little. and, supporting her
in his arms. tried to force few drops
between her lips. Her cloak fell away,
showing her slender figure, in dress of
palest gray.
What was that stain upon it. and upon
Dare's hands? The CHASTITY truth was
revealed to him
"0h. merciful heaven!" he cried. in hor-
Tor. This is death. She has been muir
dered!'
Thistleton Grange was one of the pleas
ATTEST possible places at which to spend
an old-fashioned Christmas. 1t was a
rambling old horse, homelike in every !
nook and corner
Nor+;, Juoloea1+ 80 r,ra-npf owner