The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-05

DAY, SEPT. 5, 1903
each other around her left hand portrayng fem
mime bit of coquetry for really beautiful
She had no bags valise An umbrella, with golden
apple for handle stood her leaning against the door,
After inspection; rendered the fact
that had nothing else do, received the impression
Of a sober luxury and nice taste tho rather heavy
and English in its character. She took
from beside her. it with absolute indif
ference almost ignorance of presence that could
not once catch a glimpse of her eyes
II not disturbed with this naughty disdain, and
gave my attention to the country thru which we were
speeding rapidly, seeking up lost
time. We had just rolled thru the Maisons Late station
when seized with the desire to read some let
tiers that had merely glanced thru in the morning Put
ting hand into pocket to draw out the bundle Of
letters there felt pocketbook among them A wave
of JOY swept the remembrance of the notary
not resist childish satisfaction of lingering
fortune deuded myself into thinking that,
hadn't even taken the pains to look at them before,
really ought then. Accordingly,
drew them out of the inner fold Of pocketbook and
in the absolute security of the narrow well closed
partment counted them compacently without the least
suspicion of being watched AS expected found just
flap with habtua threw the pocket
down beside with the handful of letters that
wanted to look over One by one mechanically picked
them up and laid them down again beside me.
Gust then, the vibration Of the iron made me look
n We were crossing the bridge at Asnieres The young
paper, and without looking in
my direction, fixed her gloves began slowly
and calmly to unlace the her right hand. At
length she she drew it arrive, and
this was removing gloves How
ever onlv wondered silently at it and fell to admiring
hand long, thin nervous, with supple, pointed
fingers. I also remarked that she rings, nor
this right But looked, the
the high wall at Batignoles fell
train and that the lantern in compartment was
not lighted Immediately after with the deafening noise
Of the wheels the rails shot into the blackness
of the tunnel.
Slight stealthy rustling papers,
Inattentive there hundred chances to one
that would have disturbed myself ever so little;
nevertheless whether from supernatural warn
ing lurking distrust, Immediately thought of my
pocketbook. Without rejecting and with an instructive
howe fol Cd
open grasped sharply at scattered papers
hands. My heart gave great throb as felt
something beneath the letters something that like
sought to free itself, twisting
turning writing furiously. pressed heavily upon
it. using all strength. Just then, the train whstled
disressngy then silent while it gradually lost it's
length stood still there in the black
tunnel inside in the utter darkness lived for several
seconds throes Of nightmare. Amid the rat
ting and tearing Of the papers the struggle continued
silent and crafty, yet determined and savage After
burning and twisting desperate motions violent
terrible those of dying snake the hand crushed
not see ANYTHING nor could hear anything not even
whisper understood perfectly that she planning
spying traitorously at me in the with
emotion, with this tension my nerves. waited
light for delverer. After time, in reality
only moments, suppose altho it seemed hours to
the train slowly started forward. felt such
lief that unconscously, I relaxed hold This
just what had waiting for turning quickly
struggled itself by jerks time,
but with vigorous, steady pull in which she put all the
strength she had left felt culver beneath fingers,
and move and glide beneath the papers, little by little
raised hand rashly in order to get better hold and
grasped only the pocketbook, while the hand, not
how escaped utterly.
opened the inner flap fevershly my fingers
the bank notes, thrust the pocketbook
coat, buttoned it and stupidity folded both arms
it.
length dim, gray light penetrated the compart-
ment. It had all been sudden, wild and fam
that could not gather wits together.
if had just wakened from bad dream. My
eyes fastened the young She sit
the place. with the attitude Of naughty
Indifference Nothing about her dsordered, not
fold of her dress disturbed The folded still
against the door. Her slender foot clad
peeped from beneath her skirt
Only paler to her still fixed
upon right hand, bruised perhaps-she
busy reacing glove skfuly but rather quickly
positive what had happened and yetwha could
I say? What proof could give?
The train stopped the platform my SIDE
lady rose dropped her indierenty took her