Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-11
His Fellow
Passenger
A Railroad
Episode
BY CLARIssA r1AckIE


slowly through the crowded coaches
until he found a vacant seat. There
was only one, and the other occupant
was a woman, young and slender and
deeply yelled. He paused lrrcsolutely,
and the woman drew aside her skirts
and made room for him. With muir
INJURED word of thanks he flung his grip
into the rack and settled himself be
hind the evening paper.
The train drew out of the station
and into the sitting atmosphere OF the
tunnel Tho dim light made reading
impossible. and Burnell turned his eyes
toward his fellow passengers. There
were the usual aggregation OF home
going commuters. n sprlnkiing Of shop
pers and n number of travellers who
had made themselves thoroughly com
Portable for longer journey. lie shot
a glance Mt the other occupant Of his
seat and was startled into n prolonged
stare.
She had thrown back her veil and
revealed such profile rs Burnell had
dreamed Of. She was young, perhaps
twenty-one. with delicate coloring and
pale golden brown hair parted above
n low. white brow. her nose was per.
feet, and her mouth adorable.
As the train glldcd out of the tunnel
Into the pale afternoon light the girl
made little movement. and the purse
In her hand slipped TO the floor. Bur
nell bent TO pick II up, and as he re
stored IL TO her she thanked him with o
smile and flash of sea blue eyes that
fairly made him dizzy.
He looked wistfuly at his painting
kit in the rack above and wished that
he was going to Boston TO paint a pie.
ture of this girl. instead of that OF a
wealthy Back Bay spinster whose gen
erous fee would support him for year
"will you please stop the sandwich
boy" she asked timidly.
The artist whistled sharply and when
the boy came she bought package Of
chicken sandwiches and couple of or
anges. Burwell WINGED rs he saw hei
carefully counting the money from her
shabby purse.
at Is the curse Of everything" he
thought savagely. remembering some
Of his own shattered illusions. Then lie
returned 10 his newspaper. while the
girl ate her lunch daintily by his side.
After that she drew down her veil and
leaned back In her corner. and Burncll
Thought she slept
Hour after hour the train thundercd
through the night: occasionally they
stopped nc brilliantly lighted station.
and the car was gradually empticd Of
its passengers. After they had left
Providence behind and were whirlinp
on toward Boston Burnell left his seat
and took vacant one Just behind II
where he alternately dozcd and mcdi
tated The girl in black slept soundly.
At 1890 Burnell slipped his watch
back In his pocket just MS the girl In
front awoke with little start. looked
about her In bewilderment and then ~
the empty seat ut her side. She turned
In the seat and lifted her veil. aud her
face frightened yisibly as she met the
artists interested glance.
"Ten-thirty." he said pleasantly.
"why. what time shall we arrive In
Providence" she asked. with n careful.
~ suppressed yawn.
"providcnce. Why. madam. we will
be In Boston In exactly thirty minutes.
A look VI terror lcaped to her eyes.
aOh. no. no: 1t cannot be-" she cried.
IL must have made mistake.
n IA. ItnC
ton. What shall ! dog
"That is easily remedied.' said Bur.
nell kindly. laying a strong hand on hei
trembling little fingers. "for you can
take n train 10 Providence as soon as
we arrive or wait until morning Have
you any friends In Boston,"
"Too manyw she shook her head
doubtfully. And. besides. | haven't
any money spent the last for sand
witches. You see. Felix was 10 meet
me In Providence and she flushed
crimson and drew back In the seat as
II she had divulged some secret.
Burnell's hand sought his pocket and
withdrew n ten dollar note. II was
half Of all he had IN the world until
the portrait should be finished Take
this. You can repay It when YOU join
your friends, Here Is my card" lle
thrust them into her hands.
"Oh, you are 70 kind. ! shall never
forget It." she murmurcd In a relieved
tone. II suppose am horrible to nc.
cept assistance from a stranger. but II
you only KNEW
1T Is sufficient for me that you hap
pan 10 be In need OF H." returned Bur
nell. with his rare smile ms he reached
for his oveicoat. "If you will permit
me I will find out about the Provi-
dence train for you and see that you
are safely aboard"
THANK you. but am sure that
can make the connection all right
now" She pulled down the Disgusting
veil and preceded him down the aisle
OF the ear. for they were drawing into
the Union station. The young painter
saw his failow ravelar afolv q INN ri