New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05

QUAINT Oll IDNll. lIltl ltLllC4 " lll9 lpDAAl ~
read another chapter in the timetable. At
iour-tWcnty in the morning, he noted,
small local train would leave for Jackson
vile. He decided he would take It. WITH
no parlOr cars, no slecpers he would not be
likely to encounter upon it any OF the start
led wedding party bound North.
THE call he left did not materialize, and
it was four o'clock when he aWoke.
Hastily in the chill dawn he bade farewell
10 town and hotel. In fifteen minutes ne
had left both behind, and was speeding
toward the small yellow station set on the
towns edge He glanced feverlshly at his
watch. There was need OF haste; for this
train was made up in San Marco, and had
had as vet no chance to be late.
He rushed through the gate just as 1t was
being closed and caught dreary little tram
in the very act OF pulling out. Gloomy oil
lamps sought vainly TO lessen the dour as
pect Of its two coaches. Painting, he en-.
tered the rear coach and threw himself and
his bag into a seat.
Five seconds later he glanced across the
aisle-and discovered in the opposite seat
Miss CYNTHIA Meyrick, accompanied by
very slcepy-eyed family!
"The devil" said Alinot to himself. he
knew that she would see in this utter acct
dent nothing save a deliberate act Of follow
ing. What use to protest his innocence;
He considered moving 10 another seat.
But such a Theatre act could only increase
The embarrassment. Already his presence
had been noted Aunt Mary had given him
q glare. Spencer AIevrick a scOwl, the girl
cloudy. vague "Where have | seen this per-
son before" glance in passing
Might as well make the best OF 1t. tie
settled himself in his seat. Once again as
on another railroad car, he sought to keep
his eyes on the landscape without, the dim
landscape with the royal palms waving like
ghosts in the halflight. The train sped on.
\ most uncomfortable situation If only
it would grow light 1t seemed 50 silly to he
forced 10 find the view out the window en-
trancing while it was still very dark
Spencer Mevrick went forward to the
smoker. Aunt Mary, weary Of life, slid
gently down to slumber. Her unlovely
snore filled the dim car
How different this from the first ride to-
qethcr The faint pink Of the sky grew
brighter. Now Minot could see the gray
moss hanging to the evergreens and here
and there a squaid shack where human be-
inqs lived and knew nothing OF life. And
beside him he heard a sound as OF a large
BODY being shaken also the cultural protest
Of Aunt Mary at this inconsiderate treat
ment
AUNT Mary triumphed. Her snore rose
10 sha'ter the smoky roof. Three times
\linot dared to look, and each time wished
he hadn't. The whole sky was rosy now.
Somewhere off behind the horizon the good
old sun was rising to go to work tor the
passenger department OF the coast railroad.
Some sense looking out now. Allnot saw
a shack that seemed familiar then another
next a station. bearing on Its sad shingle
the CHEEKY name of sunbeam and close
to the station, gloomy in the dawn, a desic-
Gated chauffeur beside an aged automobile.
Alinot turned quickly, and caught Gym
thia Mevricl in the act Of peering over his
shoulder. She had seen the chauffeur too.
THE train had stopped a moment but
was under way again. In those brown
ewes AIinot saw something wistful some
thing hurt-Saw things that moved him to
put everything to sudden test. He leaped
to his feet and pulled madly at the bellcord.
"What-what have you done?' Startled,
she stared at him.
i've stopped the train. I'm going to ride
10 jacksonville as | rode to San Marco
aons a0n I'm not going alone