The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-11-05

ment.
Time p. M, january 1, 1908. Train
about to leave Kings Gross station.
She is reading in left-hand corner facing
engine, but farthest from platform,
with face turned towards window.
He gets in as train is stirling.
Porter chastity putting in gun case,
suit case, etc.)-Sorry il is not a
smoker, sir; no time to change now.
He Sitting down in right-hand cor
ner, facing engine. To himself)-Whew!
That was a rush! In future l shan't
90 and lunch at The Carlton with talk
ative old bores when I've got to catch
trains. Old boy gave me a good lunch,
though. "Opens evening paper, glanc-
ing as he does so on his Left What
beautiful furs, and a nice figure. Won
der if she's pretty. Can't possibly see
her face without changing my seat. Too
pointed; can't be done. l wish she'd
stop reading and turn round. I'm sure
she's pretty. (Settles down to read
paper, but very soon closes his eyes
and. thanks probably to aforementioned
excellent lunch, is soon sound asleep.)
She breads for some time, then hay
inc finished her book, turns round and
sees him asleep in the corner. Catches
her breath in a little gasp; looks at him
more closely)-Yes. it is Jack, my hus-
band: the man I've successfully avoided
seeing for the last three years, and
here we are shut UP together for hours.
What am l to do? Jack looks nice
when he's asleep: what ridiculously long
evelashes for a man, but he's grown
ohin-oh. how thin!-and his face has
lots of new lines in it. Then perhaps
he did feel my leaving him a little. (Sits
thinking deeply and looking at him
from time to time.)
(He shows signs of waking.)
She Ito herself)-Oh, he's going to
wake: what shall 1 do? 1 can't face
it. I'll pretend to be asleep. (Settles
herself in corner, closes her eyes, and
breathes softly and regularity
He stretching himself)-1 must have
had a nap. looks at his watch
Four-twenty, we shall soon be at Paul
borough. (Glances on his left.) Why,
she's stopped reading and gone to sleep,
| too. Now's my time to find out if she's
| pretty. (Gets up softly and seats him
self opposite herr Good heavens! it's
Maud. Maud of all people; little, cruel,
unbelieving Maud. just as pretty as
ever, but docking Closely a white hair,
by Jove! two or three. Then she suf-
fered, too. perhaps. Train slows down
and stops with a jerk
She mot realizing that he is opposite
opens her eyes; they meet his)-Oh,
Jack! you?
He-Yes, Maud. forgive me; I didn't
see it was you when | got in. I'll get
ont here and relieve you of my presence.
Restaurant boy ION Peterborough plat
form)-Tea, sir??
She dying for tea, womanlike in spite
of emotion)-Oh, yes. l must have some
tea. Please tell him.
boy runs away and returns shortly
with appetizing tea tray for two. He
takes it in and pays,
She-Why, it is for two and you paid
him. How much?
He-Oh, never mind. I suppose he
thought we were hus-I mean that we
were travelling together. (Mendaciously
and looking longingly at tea.) / should
like a cup of tea.
She-Oh, we'll! won't you stay and
have it? There's no real need for you
to get out here. I don't mind.
He Settles himself opposite her, the
tea tray between them)-Quite a domes-
tic picture, eh, Maud? (She pours out
tea, and he, after handing her bread
and butter, takes second cup for her
self.)
She-No, the first cups yours; you
always liked it weak.
He-Yes, and you always had the
second cup rather strong. I'm now ON
my way to Blakenham for three days
to help Jimmy harrington with his last
big go at the pheasants this season.
She-Then you reach your destination
first, for I am going to Holton, that's
several stations beyond Blakenham.
Another cup? Was the first all right
You were always faddv about your tea.
He-Yes, but you were always a good
teamaker. Queer situation this, you
and I getting into the same carriage.
You'd have flown miles to have avoided
me if you could.
She-How could I have done other
wise?
He-How indeed? But now that fate
has brought us together couldn't we
give each other a hearing?
She-There's nothing to hear. The
evidence was SO strong against you. I
couldn't but believe the story and you
never denied it.