Middletown transcript., 1902-11-29
A Double Deceit

BRA. ERNEST AaRsT0N

ing Of the through express aaso
e. the depot. where they gathered
in shiyering group around the
meager FIRE.
Outside, walking with quick, nervous
strides. back and forth upon the covered
platform, was man enveloped in long,
black macintosh. The face. was DARK
but handsome, and had an open express
sion that added to its attractiveness The
ewes were deep and lustrous; the hair was
dark and inclined to curl. He wore no
heard. but above the well formed mouth
was curling, black mustache.
The stylish hat, the cut OF his coat
and the distinctive air Of culture about
the man marked him as belonging to
the upper class, while the firm, erec'
carriage and the very exactness OF the
rapid. nervous steps bespoke a military
training.
The storm continued with unaDated
force and occasional gusts OF wind swept
across the platform, but the man seemed
NOT TO notice it. Now and then he would
pause in his walk and glance into the
ladies' waiting room as though he was
looking for someone, then turn away and
continue his restlessswalking. He stop
ned under the incandescent light and
glanced hastily at his watch.
"Seyen-thirty," he mnttered. fne
train il due in rs minutes. | wonder II
she is really going tonight"
A carriage drew up 1t the rear Of the
depot and young lady alighted, glanced
carelessly about her for moment, then
walked rapidly towards the ladies' en-
trance. Az she came into the bright
light. the man gave start and stepped
back into the shadow Of the building.
"Good gracious, there she is nowF
he exclaimed sotto voice. "Hope she
didn't zee me. If she thought ! was
Spying upon her movements she would
despise me-" :,
He waited until she had disappeared
into the depot, then walked slowly up
the platform, glancing cautiously into
the waiting room as be passed the win
dow. The young lady was evidently
engaged in purchasing ticket, and the
man noted the assurance with when
she set about the matter, as though sne
had been accustomed to doing such
things for herself, which, he was conh-
dent, she had not. .
Il wonder If she is going away alone"
he mused. "She does not appear to be
expecting anyone"
The man outside noted every detail
Of her neat travelling suit, which fol-
lowed every curve of her perfect figure.
He noted, also, with feeling akin to
jealousy, that she was being regarded
with curious interest by the men in the
ticket Office and by commercial traveller,
who had for some unexplainable reason
invaded the ladies' waiting room. When
the latter offered to assist the young
LADY with her coat, the watcher could
hardly restrain himself.
sThe presuming cur" he said In 2
savage undertone. "I've . mind TO call
him to account for his impudence."
But events proved that the young LAZY
was capable Of looking out for herself. .
The polite but decisive manner in which
she declined the proffered assistance con-
vinced the commercial man that for once
he had made q mistake, and he sank
back in his seat with the consciousness
that his egotism had received severe
blow.
"Gad! She is all right" he muttered,
watching the young lady as she swept
gracefully across the room.
AS she opened the door and came out
upon the platform, the man outside
drew back into the shadows where he
watched her while she walked to the
other end Of the depot and back. Then
he formed sudden resolution.
ssshe shall not 90 away in this man.
ner without a word," he said with
decision.
The young lady was just turning when
he stepped suddenly into view, and Q
stifed scream escaped her as she recog-
nized him.
'You herep' she exclaimed in sur
prise. 81 thought you were OF the
hotel"
ibid you? And you were going away
without parting word?" he said re-
proachfully.
ssWhat was to DOR she asked, while
an amused smile played about her mouth.
"Was it my duty to look up sll my
gentlemen friends and wish them good
bye?"
Certainly not" said the man with
a laugh. "But you might have at least
let one know you were going away and
have given him chance to call and see
you before you went"
eWhy, thought that every one knew
that i Ras going tonight. / am sure tie
matter has mot been kspt q secret. You
at least, must have known or you would
not have spoken Of it, just now"
"Yes, but I did not hear of 1t unit
to-day, and then not from you" he sale
in tone Of reproof. II had hoped tha
you might think better Of my offer. tina
you might, at least, grant me one NOR
opportunity Of pleading my suit. !"
"What good could come OF itf'' sl'
said YEARLY. II haze told You that
could not accept Jour offer; why shonl'
we 20 through the unpleasant seen
again?''
'eWhy, indeed! Do, you think tina
q mans love can be cast aside like
broken toy2 ID it possible that ycu ar
the heartless coquette that the peopl
here say you are? Perhaps, were Va
Hutten with his millions, you nigh
have q different answer" he went o.
passionately. '.But the love Of . pool
strue1ling author-what does it matter7
The girls face burned red and he
voice .trembIed with indignation as sh
.av,lsad daanita her efforts al self.c0r