Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-12-30
His Fellow
Passenger
A Railroad
Episode
BY CLARISSA MACKIB

+ /
BY CLARIsSA MACKIB +
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Burnell boarded the train at the
Grand Central station and walked
slowly through the crowded coaches
until he found vacant seat. There
was only one. and the other occupant
was woman, young and slender and
deeply yelled. He 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. The dim light made reading
impossible, and Burnell turned his eyes
toward his fellow passengers. There
were the usual aggregation of home
going commuters, sprinkling of shop
pers and number of travellers who
had made themselves thoroughly com.
Portable for longer journey. He shot
glance at the other occupant Of his
seat and was startled into a 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
6nY1 hys0Vv hnfn 49, oh
low, white brow, her nose was per.
feet and her mouth adorable.
AS the train glided 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 it up, and as he re-
stored it to her she thanked him with q
smile and fash of sea 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 to paint pic
ture Of this girl, instead of that of a
wealthy Back Bay spinster whose gen.
erous fee would support him for a year.
Twill 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 her
carefully counting the money from her
shabby purse.
1T is the curse Of everything!' he
thought savagely. remembering some
Of his own shattered illusions. Then be
returned to 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 Burnell
thought she slept.
| Hour after hour the train thundered
through the night; occasionally they
stopped at brilliantly lighted station.
and the car was gradually empted Of
its passengers. After they had left
Providence behind and were whirling
on toward Boston Burnell left his seat
and took a vacant one just behind it,
where he alternately dozed and medi-
tated. The girl in black slept soundly.
At 1920 Burnell slipped his watch
back in his pocket just as the girl in
front awoke with little start, looked
about her in bewilderment and then at
the empty seat at her side. She turned
in the seat and lifted her veil, and her
face frightened visibly 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 will
be in Boston in exactly thirty minutes"
A look Of terror leaped to her eyes.
"Oh, no, no: it cannot be-" she cried.
II must have made mistake.
wanted to go to Providence, not Bos.
ton! What shall l do?''
THAT is easily remedied." said Bur-
nell kindly, laying a strong hand on her
trembling little fingers. "for you can
take a train to Providence as soon as
we arrive or wait until morning. Have
you any friends in Boston?"
'Too many" she shook her head
doubtfully. And. besides. l haven't
any money. l spent the last for sand
wiches. You see. Felix was to 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. 1t 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" He
thrust them into her hands.
"Oh, you are so kind. l shall never
forget it." she murmured in a relieved
tone. Il suppose l am horrible to &C.
cept assistance from stranger, but If
you only knew!'
1T is sufficient for me that you hap
pen to be in need of It," returned Bur-
nell, with his rare smile as he reached
for his overcoat. 1T you will permit
me will find out about the Provi-
dence train for you and see that you
are safely aboard"
THANK you. but I am sure that I
ran make the connection all right
now" She pulled down the Disgusting
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