The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-11-21

companion who seemed congeniaL j
did not know his name. but. curiously
enough, ] had come across him two or
three times I'm the course Of my tray
cling In Italy-once In Venice, once IN
Florence, and In a little village on the
italian Riviera, whore we had luncned
together on macaroni and risotto, witn
a bottle Of rough, rcd 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 so completely that we did our
best to keep out any other travellers.
/ had occasion to lift his suit case
out Of my way. and saw that it was
marked Edmund Justican, n. Y"
| called aim 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 a shy and silent man,
with refined and scholarly tastes; but
ne seemed oppressed by kind Of mel
sncholy, as though something lay heav-
ily upon his mind. Yet he was only a
young man, not 30, should think with
a 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
Twas 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,
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 q 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
10 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 station
soon where there is a buffet at which
I can get everything need"
Monsieur is mistaken" said the alb
be, in the corner. cat least l know Of
no station where we stop for any
length of time until or in the morn
ing"
q 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.
Tie stayed for some time; saw his fig
ure pass and repass the window, but
at last | saw it no more and conjec-
tured that he was either chatting to
the conductor OF smoking at the fur
Eher end of the corridor.
BY this time 1t had grown quite dark
the train was moving at snail's pace
for we were mounting a very steep in
cline, and prepared myself for my
nights rest though wondering a little
at the continued absence of my visa
Wis.
However, l soon dropped into fair
Iy sound slumber, and did not wake un
I'll 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 op
site my seat was still vacant.
Monsieur is a friend Of the gentle
man who sat there?" the blue coated
man demand with a somewhat anx
Sous expression of countenance.
mot friend, have seen him TIVE
or three times before, but I cannot b.
said to know him. Where is he, by tn