The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-11-16

companion who seemed congenial.
did not know his name, but, curiously
enough, / had come across him two or
three times in the course of my trav-
cling in Italy-once in Venice, once in
Florence. and in a little village on the
Italian Riviera, where we had luncned
together on macaroni and risotto, vita
a bottle OF rough, red Italian wine be-
tween us.
l greeted him, therefore. almost like
an old friend, and bestowed myself
and my belongings in the compare
ments where saw that he had already
established himself.
For our other companions we had a
French abbe and a little meagre look
ing English lady travelling alone; and
we four and our luggage filed up the
carriage so completely that we did our
best TO keep out any other travellers.
! had occasion to lift mis- suit case
out OF my way. and saw that Il was
marked Edmund Justicsn, n Y"
called MIN my friend, but of course
knew absolutely nothing abont him,
except that he seemed TO have leisure
and a fair amount of money at his dis
posaL He was shy and silent man,
VITA refined and scholarly tastes; but
he seemed oppressed by a kind of mel
sneholy, as though something lay heav-
lily upon his mind. Yet he was only
young man, not 80, should think, with
a decidedly pleasant appearance. He
was of middle height and good figure.
well and suitably dressed and his
face, although a little thin and grave,
was a striking one with fine features
and the soft beautiful eyes of the born
dreamer. His hands. too, betrayed the
artistic temperament. They were long,
narrow, with thin white fingers, point
ed at the finger tips.
A long hot day drew to its close, and
! was sorroy to observe that we should
soon be able to see very little of the
exquisite scenery through which we
were passing. The lovely valleys
down which the rushing torrents leap
ed, the distant mountain tops. the pine,
covered hills, would soon be lost in the
darkness Of night What l also regret
ted was that as there was no full moon
we might possibly see very little of the
entrance to the great Mont Gents tun-
mel, which we should approach most
probably about IL O'Clock at night
During the evening good many
Of the passengers had hung about the
corridor windows. walking up and
down gazing at the scenery, but as
night came on one by one they dropped
back into their seats, and in most cas-
es began to partake of the evening
meal which, If wise, they had brought
with them. But Mr. Justiean seemed
to have made no provision for eating;
he had neither sandwich nor fruit, and
he declined share Of mine or OF the
red wine which ! offered him.
Thank you very much" he said to
me. But believe we come to a station
soon where there is buffet at which
can get everything / need"
Monsieur is mistaken said the alb
be, in the corner. at least l know of
no station where we stop for any
length Of time until or in the morn
ing"
y think shall be able to get some
thing before then, replied Mr.. Justi-
can with polite bow to the able
And shortly after this ne, too. went
into the corridor and began to pace up
and down. as though he wished to
stretch his cramped limbs after so
many hours in a railroad carriage.
He stayed for some time; saw his fig
ure rass and repSss the window, but
at last | saw it no more and conjcc-
tured that he was either chatting to
the conductor or smoking at the fur
Their end of the corridor.
By this time it had grown quite dark,
the train was moving at a snail's pace,
for we were mounting a very steep in
cline, and prepared myself Cor my
nights rest though wondering a little
st the continued absence Of NY VISA
Wis.
However, l soon dropped into fair
~ sound slumber, and did not wake I'M
til the gray dawn, when l became con
scious that an official had entered the
carriage and was trying to arouse me.
The able and the French lady seemed
to be wide awake. but the corner OPP
site my seat was still vacant
Monsieur is friend of the gentle
man VINO sat there?" the blue coated
man demand with a somewhat anx-
ious expression of countenance.
mot friend, ! have seen him two
or three times before, but l cannot be
said to know him. Where is he, by the
way?"
The man looked at us silently.
learned afterward that he had already
made the tour Of the carriages, but it
was not all at once that the state of
things made itself clear to us. The gen
tleman whose luggage was labelled
Edmund Justican was apparently no
longer il the train, every corner of
which had been searched in vain. He
was absolutely gone-and only
the grips remained behind, with the
exception, as we now noticed, Of a
black bag which he seemed to have
carried in his nand.