The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-18
JOURNAL JULY 49, 1904

lHE MINNEAPOLIS 20
DO the whole Journey without something Of the kind"
And thereupon we went buffet, the man keeping
close my side.
of the dangers travelling and it seemed to me
that the should be travelling Wltnous
luggage. had nothing of any value on me- put was
afraid and kept close to the good sister as
possible to hear the silly compliments W'cn ne
whispered and again in my ear.
The and confusion in the refreshment room pc
wldered and rather added to my fright At nrst the
man pressed to have some wine, and had 10 ne
positively he would accept my REFUSAL
touch thing. was longing for a cup OF
coffee tea accept it at his hands and
when the bouillon for himself and the Sis
ter and had left us for minute told my companion
what wanted and she sent me to get 1t.
This was matter in such a crowd and
when returned table with it in hand the two
finished their and had only time to swat
my hastily before the for us to take
our seats, had to hurry out.
my great annoyance the man insisted upon travel
ing in the same compartment this again increased
my sHspicons. He rather shabbiy dressed man
with luggage yet was going on by the mail, first
class and it was with feeling approaching consterna-
ton that the guard was waiting for him hoiding
the door of carriage open winch mao apparently Dee
reserved three.
hesitated moment before getting in and looked
about for another compartment.
us there no room esewhere?" asked guard, who
smiled. at my school-made French and shrugged his
shoulders, not understanding me.
IT rather not travel with him, sister,, said,
protesting But her smile so indulgent and express
i've of such good establishment reluctance
that it made feel hafashamed of Ey youthful aWk-
wardness
"Quickly if you please" the guard impatiently.
'.Ndy friend would rather find another carriage
"There is no time by this train we are starting this
Will the good sister wait for the next train
IT cannot" she said. But you do you please,
Miss Wimott" and without ado she got into the
carriage.
Thinking I should with her and knowing that
be met by the mail train at Paris followed.
and the man had barely time to spring in after
when the train started and off, withonly
stop, at Arniens, until we reached Paris
liked the mans conduct much less in the carriage
than
The settled herself easily with her
back to the engine and told going to Sleep
and chose the seat opposite her. the
the side companion at the opposite
end carriage, very
his behavior began to great concern 1t
tho he had been drinking and the effects had become
suddenly apparent.
Topped about in his seat, nodded and
rolled the train moved; and then with great effort
pull together and alternately
and the sister who soon sleeping pacidy in her
corner.
This so frightened me that tried to wake her, kick
ing secretly attention.
kicking had effect, the sleeper
to uneasily and snore softly.
Attracted by of these the man, who had
been loing back against the cushions with his head
fallen forward on his chest started and making one
with long, drunken stare gradually topping sideways
rested on his arm his whole body swaying ia
tuousy.
he looked from the across to me and
and asked: ''@eN' -
she asleep?" and he lolled blinking blearily at
me- waiting for my answer When said nothing-for in
fright, leant back pretended sleep
he made big effort up to come to me,
nutterng something could not make out.
If he meant to and wake the
sister; and watched him thru the Sits my
nearly closed lids with vigilance inspired by the fever
of terror which set heart humping violently against
ribs beating throbbing almost
shook my frame with its vehemence. But, to infinite
relief he could not succeed in rising The sirk
face changed to expression of intense effort and
the close he sank back in his again. breathing
heavily if after great exertion.
After he had sat minute two in this way he took
notebook from his pocket and began to write
sentences laboriously with effort many stop
More than during the writing his head fell
forward his chest back against the carriage
tho his drunken sleep had mastered him. and wher
1T finished he tore the from the
over what he had written, glancng at freqney thu
while.
Then he fumbed in his pocket and took out some
thing, which, to horror, a revolver laid il
down, the side furthest from me- stopped t.
think, his fingers playing with the revolver while his