The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-11-14


enough had come across him two or
three times In the course of my tray
cling In Italy-oncc IN Venice, once In
Florence and IN a little village on the
italian Riviera, whore we had luncned
together on macaroni and risotto, vita
a bottle of rough, red Italian wine be-
tween us.
greeted him, therefore, almost like
an old friend, and bestowed myself
and my belongings in the compart-
ments where | saw that he had already
established himself.
For our other companions we had
French able and a little meagre look
ing English lady travelling alone; and
we four and our luggage filled up the
carriage 50 completely that we did our
best to keep out any other travellers.
had occasion to lift his suit case
cut OF my way. and saw that 1t was
marked Edmund Justiean, ~ ".
called aim my friend, but Of course
7 knew absolutely nothing abont him,
except that he seemed to have leisure
and fair amount of money at his dis
posal He was a shy and silent man,
with refined and scholarly tastes; but
he seemed oppressed by kind of mel
ancholy, as though something lay heav-
Fly upon his mind. Yet he was only a
young man, not 30, should think, with
q decidedly pleasant appearance. He
was of middle height and good figure,
we'll 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.
long hot day drew to its close, and
I was sorroy to observe that we should
soon be able to see very little of the
exquisite scenery through which we
we're 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 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 II 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.. Justican seemed
TO have made no provision for eating;
he had neither sandwich nor fruit, and
he declined a share Of mine or Of the
red wine which l offered him.
THANK you very much" he said to
me. But l believe we come to a station
coon where there is Luffet at which
I can get everything l need"
Monsieur is mistaken" said the alb
be, in tAe corner. "At least I-know Of
no station where we stop for any
length of time until or 4 in the morn
ing"
Il think shall be able to get some
thing before then" replied Mr.. JUST
can with a polite bow to the able.
And shortly after this he, too, wen
into the corridor and began to pace III
and down, as though he wished t.
stretch his cramped limbs after 81
many hours in a railroad carriage
HE stayed for some time; saw his fig
IRE pass and repass the window, Blu
at last | saw it no more and conjec
tured that be was either chatting t
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 for m
nights rest though wondering a littl
at the continued absence Of my visa
Wis
However, soon dropped into fail
~ sound slumber, and did not wake III
ell the gray dawn when l became COZ
scious that an official had entered tn
carriage and was trying to arouse mt
The able and the French lady SCENE
to be wide awake, but the corner Of
site my seat was still vacant.
Monsieur is friend Of the gentle
man who sat there?" the blue coate
man demand with a somewhat an
fous expression Of countenance.
'Not friend, / have seen him tW
or three times before, but cannot /
said to know him. Where is he, by II
way?"
The man looked at us silently.
500 oFkorvrrpy-d That he had aIrna r