Year: 1869

astonished to see how pretty she was. had ex
pected she was elderly aud this lady could certain
ly not be more than twenty-five, thought l was
thirty. I had long before decided that she was s
widow-probably that was. what her dress wal
trimmed in black for.


I honored her now with good look. Her hail
was rich golden brown, and gathered into kno
behind from which strayed few careless ringlets
none of your detestable waterfalls, composed Of
curled hair, old stockings split zephyr, black yarn
and dirty horse hair. She had clear complexion
With dash of crimson in the cheeks, brown eyes
and mouth that-weT, was an old bachelor
then, and did not believe in women; but die
think wouldn't mind touching those red lipI
with my Own, just to see how it would seem; for
in all my life, had never kissed any woman but
my mother-ifI except Aunt Peggy, who had thu
catarrh and took snuff.
| Before many moments elapsed, the curly-haireo
young man returned, and looked daggers and but
cher-knives at me.


''This is my seat, sir, said he, with an air O.
authority.


II beg your pardon, sir" said I. 'This lady ii
under my charge, and claim the right to SIT with
her."


"Under your chargel'' said he, with look o.
surprise 'Then why the deuce didn't you sit
with her before2


"I-I-thought she would be more comfortable
with seat to herself" said [. II am sorry te
disturb you, sir, but you can take the seat have
Just left. And pointed with my thumb owe,
my shoulder, to the seat Mrs. Poodle occupied.


"Thank you for the suggestion, " said the young
man, "but I prefer the smoking-car." Which
proved him to be very sensible fellow, after all


Well, it wasn't half so bad as it might have
been, to sit beside my travelling companion. She
did not smell of musk, and she had no bundles
poodles nor bandboxes. The wind came in at 8
crack of the window, and I fixed shawl to keep il
out, and somehow I touched her hand. What 6
thrill went through me! 1t was like taking SHOCK
from q galvanic battery, only rather pleasanter.


Pretty soon we fell to talking. do not remem
Der what we commenced about but I recollect dis
tinctly that was surprised to find how sensible
she was. It was little curious to me where 8
woman ever managed to pick up so many ideas
and it was still more curious how she knew just
what to say and where to say it.
To cut long matter short, we had an exceed
ingly pleasant day Of it; and when night came
Mrs. Graves went off to sleep with her head on my
coat, and shawl piled up on the side of the car;
But by and by fell to thinking that the road was
so rough and the cars joted so; that she would moi
rest well, and then wondered how could fix hel
better.


The lights had burned very DIM evidently ker
osene was scarce-and the passengers were al
asleep, and snoring as people never snore anywhere
except in railway car, and-well, you see I pit
| led her poor head, bobbing around so with every
Jolt, and Just drew it down to my shoulder and
put my arm nround her to keep her in place.
hope no Oh. will be unkind enough to blame me
for so doing; it was the result ofmy naturally kind
heart, you know.


You ask me how I felt? Why, as if had
swallowed couple of rainbows washed down with
cologne and otto of roses Probably was moi
quite in my right mind with the novelty of the
sensation, and that was what made me kiss her
and after the first kiss somehow there didn't seem
to be any stopping-place. But then had never
had any practice, and l wanted to perfect myself
you know.


I did not sleep any that night, it seemed as if |
ought not to sleep; somebody might have picked
my pocket, or there might have been q collision
or something might have happened, and so had
to kiss Mrs. Graves now and then to keep me
awake.


Next morning she awakened as fresh and rosy
as pink just blossomed. She asked me if had
rested WELL and I told her yes, delightfully."- How
pretty and refreshed she looked. Not gray ano
stupid and red-eyed, as everybody else did, but
just as bright as if she had slept in her own bed al
home


don't believe that any of us begin to realize
how much of our good looks is due to judicious
use of soap and water, and fine comb; but few
days and nights travel on railway will wake us
up to an understanding of it, for if any one has
beauty enough to make them look decent after 6
nights rest in railway car then they never neec
be afraid that time will destroy their beauty; fo
what night under the circumstances can't do
time can't do either.


By and by we came to a refreshment stopping
place, and there we all washed our faces and go
something to eat. And such cup of coffee as
had! 1t was nectar She sweetened it for me
which is the only reason know of for its super
ority.


All WE'LL that was delightful journey, but
must not be too lengthy in describing it,
A little while before we would reach Chicago
Mrs. Graves turned to me and said:


"Mr. Stanford, can not express the gratitude
I feel toward you for your kindness. am afraie
I have given you great deal of trouble


''Trouble p interrupted I. "Whatever have
done has been pleasure!"


"You are very gallant to say so but know
what a nuisance you consider all women, and"


mot such women as you," said I, cursing the
luck that had revealed my predictions to her, anc
making VOW that when saw Tom Jasher,
would blow him up for telling her.


THANK you'll" And she laughed in a way per
fectly bewitching. "You are very good; and nov
that our journey is almost at an end, perhaps yor
had better give me my checks. Charles will be al
the depot to meet me, and he will relieve you from
the trouble Of seeing after my luggage. Dear ole
fellow how delighted shall be to see him. Only
think T have been absent from him four lonl
months."


Charles


NV heart seemed bursting the moment she spoke
that name with such longing accent of fondness


Charles how 1 despised that cognomen!
heard of man once named Charles who was hung
Mentally I wished this Charles could speedily NEE
the fate of his namesake.


And had supposed she was widow. Jashe
had said she was going to join her family. Well
who should her family be but her husband anc