The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-25

- finding himself alone In a first
class carriage.
Drawing a number of papers from the bag
he carried, he scattered them broadcast
over the seat and then brought out his
cigar-case and prepared TO think, for he was
on his way TO difficult case in the coun-
try. and his brief needed yet some study
ing. His life was so busy that railway
journeys could not be thrown in as times
of recreation; he was apt to relegate some
OF his chief mental work to them.
On this occasion, however. his privacy
was to be disturbed. for at the last mo-
ment the guard ushered in a breathless
woman. who nearly fell over Bertrams
long legs. which he had disposed of in such
q manner as to monopolize most Of the
compartment He apoiogized, albeit with
something like scowl. The newcomer.
confused and distressed, apologized also,
though she was not in fault. Then the
train started, and Bertram collected his
papers into a neat little bundle and looked
out OF the window, unreasonably annoyed.
He felt this woman's presence as an in
trusion. He wanted to think-he wanted to
smoke, and IL was not a smoking-carriage
He was feeling too ill-tempered to ask his
-
she witnessed the transference of the
c4sar-case from the seat to his pocket.
dared not to make a suggestion, for she
was intuitively conscious Of his vexation-
Bertram Keen was net an unamiable man;
on the contrary, he was kind. just, and
generous. But there are times when the
unwonted presence OF another CRATES on
the nerves. and appears affront. This
was one Of them.
Marion Lee. feeling like scolded child
OR rather like the dog, whose character
istic 1t Is to take unmerited chastisement
with feeling Of humiliation untinged by
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. him furtively. He had
. keen. clever face-clean-shavcn, with the
Htbernian contrast of blue eyes and black
hair. The nose was curiously tip-tilted. and,
together with the large. scornfuliy curving
lips, suggested a kind OF sneering inso-
1ence, as il a scathing remark would fall
naturally from him. Bot this impression
was contradictod by the boyish candor OF
the upper part or the :ace; the eyes and
brow were irresistiby winning.
For a long time Bertram Keen uursed
his imaginary grievance. knowing well that
he would laugh at himself for it a few
hours later. When the train stopped. the
woman I'm the further corner, on whom
he had not beste~ed a second glance, rose
to depart.
All at once he relented. and wished he
had been more polite. He FASTENED to open
the door for her.
your journey ends here?'' he asked.
II want to find another carriage" she
said. timidly.
What a brute I have been.'' Bertram
calculated fercely TO himself. Aloud he
said: Let me so and look for place for
you. 1 fear the train Is very full; people
are rushing to the seaside this month. Pray
do not come out. the platform is crowded"
He swung himself out. and Marion saw his
tall hat moving about amongst the throng
Of people. He went from one end Of the
train to the other, and then returned to
her, wearing totally different face from
the one which had scowled upon her so
forbiddingly. 1t was lit up by a pleasant
smile. full OF friendliness. and her heart
warmed fnstinctively at the sight of him.
Its no use. I'm afraid he said. Every
place is occupied I'm sorry, IL you
wanted particularly to change"
II have third-class ticket. that is ALL
she murmured, telling half the truth.
She looked like a thrd-class passenger.
''Oh, that doesn't matter at this season.
i take first myself because usually have
some work TO do, and / like to be I'M
disturbed-but you do not disturb me-" and
he laughed with a pleading glance of
apology.
81 hope not" she said, greatly relieved,
and subsiding into her corner again. pray
smoke IL you wish-and forget me. / will
read the newspaper" She took up one
which had been left in the carriage.
Restored to good temper which was only
disturbed by sclf-reproach, Bertram Keen
returned 10 his brief. but not before he
had taken a survey OF his companion.
When she had spoken TO him. the effort
calling UP a faint flush in her delicate
cheeks. she had seemed quite a girI-not.
as he had thought 1T first, mature wom-
an Now IL was difficult TO decide the point
OF her age. She had pale, Madonna-like
face. the difference between II and that of
the conventional Madonna lying in the
square, determined chin and long. straight
line of the mouth. She was very beautiful,
but so quiet in her demeanor that it needed
a second glance to discover the fact.
Bertarm did rot quite know whether his
mother would consider her a lady. She
might be a governess, or something of that
sort
Meanwhile the scenery through which
they were passing had become very pictur-
esque in character. They were nearing
the sea. and In the land Of gorse and heath
or. Red hills. blushing gloriously from base
to crown, rose on every side. and the hardy
Welsh mountain sheep bounded from rock
to rock with an agility unknown to their
brethren In the lowiand pastures.
Presently Whit OF sea-air came through
the open windows, and the train began to
sway from side to side in a provincial man.
nsr. Fiocks OF seagulls passed gracefully
over the stretches OF sand in one of the
most beautiful sstuaries in the world. and
the sight OF o Lancashire cotton-spinner
armed with q gun, taking reckless aim al
them as they few by, brought to mind
Heber's description OF . land no fairer
surely. than this.
Where every prospect Hieass'.
Bertram Keen pocketed HIS papers with
. long sish-this time OF satisfaction, fol
he saw his way clear before hina-and gave
himself up to the enjoyment of nature for
the few minutes left to him. He had for
gotten Marion Lee. She. too. was uncon-
scious OF his presence, for as she drew near
the journeys end, an expression of anxiety
which had settled on her features as soon
as Bsrtram's rudensss had ceased to
trouble her. deepened, and she sat sazing