Year: 1879

lt ia not every man who will take the
trouble TO pursue a runaway wife. 1t is
not always that they are worth pursuing,
1t is true that women sometimes leave
their husbands from perfectly legitimate
causes, but ii is very rarely that they do
30 in company with another person. -
But an incident OF this description is
related by conductor Of the Kansas
Pacific as occurring on his train, during
recent run in the direction of Denver.
A couple were occupying middle seat
in ladies' car, having got on at a way
station. Possibly attracted by that in
visible fascination which never fails to
bring about contretemps, a gentleman
in rear car came in and took q seat
Immediately behind the amorous couple.
There was shock OF surprise as his
eyes first fell upon them, and deathly
pallor overspread his countenance. But
this was for an instant only. Then q
flush succeeded, and q queer smile be-
gan to play around tie corners of his
set, determined lips. An hour passed
The billing and cooling went on, and the
man was patient and evidently an in
terested listener. The people in the
Car began to perceive that something
unusual was going on. Perhaps the
subtle sympathy which makes us inter
ested in strange incidents had taken
hold of them and had evoked its influence.
Anyway they looked like people who
were expecting something unusual to
happen, and they were not disappointed.
The man leaned forward with that
strange, peculiar smile still lowering on
his lips, and said:


Il beg pardon, but you do seem to be
enjoying yourselves immensely.


The lady rose with a stifed scream,
and wheeling around confronted the
stranger with a pallid face and great
staring, scared-like eyes. Her compan-
ion was no less Disconnected. He, too,
had risen to his feet and stood uneasily
looking at the intruder, flushing and
paling by turns.


MY God, it has come at last T walled
the woman.


The stranger was cool and imperturb-
able.


You did not expect to see me, did
youP and his face took on q sneer that
was bitter in its scorn and contempt.


Heaven knows 1 did not + exclaimed
the lady, from whose eyes the tears had
already begun to trickle.


well, it's not unusual. People often
meet under peculiar circumstances. l
suppo?e you are on your bridal tourP'


The lady covered her face with her
hands and sank back into her seat. She
bad already begun to sob hysterically.
The scene had already become as thrill
ing as tragedy to the spectators in the
car. Some had begun to view the spec
tacle with scared faces. Others, and
they were the worst part of them,
appeared to enjoy the humiliating cpl
sode.


Il happened along this way by mere
chance, continued the stranger. Il am
going west to Leadville. l thought l
would try and do something for the
children, inasmuch as you have left us.
But trust you will not let this acci-
dental meeting disturb your enjoyment.


The woman was moaning in her able
misery.


The gentleman rose, urbane and po'
lite.


Il wish you all sorts of happiness, and
will no longer intrude upon you. This,
ladies and gentlemen, facing around TO
the spectators with q sweeping wave of
his hand, lis my runaway wife and her
lover. They are very mica people, and
then turning away he stalked back,
leaving the guilty couple alone in their
humiliation and shame. At the next
station the eloping pair left the train.