Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-25
His Fellow
Passenger
A Railroad
Episode
BY cL.ARISSA rfACkIE

uDill lie Iouuu u Nuthut stut lutlt
was only one, and the other occupant
was n woman. young and slender and
deeply yelled. lie paused irresolutely,
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 Ths dim light made reading
impossible. and Burnell turned his eyes
toward his fellow passengers There
were the usual aggregation Of home
going commuters. a sprinkling OF shop
pcrs and n number Of travellers who
had made themselves thoroughly com
Portable for n longer Journey lie shot
a glance at the other occupant OF his
seat and was startled into prolonged
stare
She had thrown back her veil and
revealed such profile as Burnell had
dreamed OF She WAS young. perhaps
twenty-one. with delicate coloring and
pale golden brown hair parted above
low. white brow. her nose was per
feet. and her mouth adorable.
As the train gllded ont OF the tunnel
into the pale afternoon light the girl
made little movement. and the purse
In her hand slipped 10 the floor. Bur
nell bent 70 pick It up, and ns he re-
stored Il TO her she thanked him with u
smile and flash of sen blue eyes that
fairly made him dizzy.
He looked wistfully at his painting
kit In the rack above and wished that
he was going to Boston 10 paint pic
ture of this girl. instead OF that OF o
wealthy Back Bay spinster whose gen.
erous fee would support him for year
win 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 as he saw hei
carefully counting the money from her
shabby purse.
1T Is the curse Of everything" he
thought savngely. remembering some
Of his own shattered illusions. Then he
returned % his newspaper. while the
sirl ate her lunch daintily by his sidc
After that she drew down her veil and
leaned back In her corner. and BurneD
Thought she slept
Hour after hour the train Numbered
through the night; occasionally they
stopped ut brilliantly lighted station
and the car was gradually emptied Of
its passengers After they had left
Providence behind and were whirlins
on toward Boston Burnell left his seat
and took a vacant one just behind IT,
where he alternately dozed and medt
tated The girl In black slept soundly
At in3o Burnell slipped his watch
back In his pocket just ms the girl 10
front awole with a little start looked
about her In bcwildcrment and then NJ
the empty seat Mt her side. She turned
in the scat and lifted her veil. and 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 careful
~ suppressed yawn
providence, Why. madam. we wi
be in Boston In exactly thirty minutes
4 look VI terror leaped 10 her eyet
"Oh. no. no: 1t cannot be- she cried
~ must have made mistake.
wanted 10 20 TO Providence. not Boa
toni What shall ! do?'
THAT Is easily remedied." said Bur
nell kindly. LAYING n strong hand on hei
trembling little fingers for YOU can
take train TO Providence as soon rs
we arrive or wait until morning. Have
you any friends In BostonT
TOO many 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 ten dollar note II was
half OF all he had In the world until
the portrait should he finished. Take
this You can repay IL when you join
-FOUR friends. Here is my card" He
thrust them into her hands
"Oh. you are So kind. ! shall never
forget IT,, she murmured in relieved
tone. II suppose ! am horrible 10 ac-
cept assistance from stranger. but II
you only knew
at Is sufficient for me that you hap.
pom 10 be In need Of H." returned Bur
nell with his rare smile ms he reached
for his oveieoat III you will permit
me will find out about the Proyi-
dence train for you aud 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 fellow traveller safely aboard
the Providence train. and when III"
| lights Of the end car hnd disappeared