Year: 1879

or If he does 1t will be very presuming,
and l won't have anything to say to
him thought Hetty. But Fate, sit
ting In the shadow, wove her net,
regardless of Hetty's resolution.


Before the ten minutes grace was
over, our Hetty's conpagnon du voyoge
made his appearance in the car, bearing
aloft cup of coffee, with an air which
elevated that somewhat menial service
to an act of princely condescension.


C took the liberty of getting this for
you, because was sure you needed it,"
he said, and Hetty had not the heart to
refuse.


You have only to throw the cup and
saucer out of the window when you
have Finished he said; and then he
absorbed himself again in his newspa-
per.


Hetty began to wonder what he could
find in that one newspaper to occupy
him so long. He seemed so utterly
oblivious of everything about him that
she felt mischievous desire to fire off
torpedo, or stick pin into him. But
while she was revolving these amicable
desires in her mind, there came crash
that seemed to her like the crack of
doom; after the crack came strain,
and quivering, as If all the timbers of
the cars were going to pieces.


Hetty wondered whether it was the
end of the world, or an earthquake, or a
collision, tried to say her prayers, grew
dizzy and faint, and only recovered her
consciousness to find that she was alive
and safe, and clinging tightly to the
dignified young mans arm, and that all
the other occupants of the car were in
their places, though looking good deal
shaken up and scared. She withdrew
her arm from the interesting young
mans with great celebrity, blushing
furiously.


1t was very natural that you should
be frightened" he said soothingly. "I
thought, myself, that something very
serious had happened"


Every other man in the car rushed
out to see what was the matter, but
Hetty's companion did not stir. He
seemed to feel that she needed a pro-
tector, and kept casting anxious glances
at her, to see if she had fully recovered.


Hetty's heart began to warm toward
him his kindness was so delicate and
unobtrusive.


1t was soon reported that an obstruc-
ton on the track had caused the shock,
and disabled the engine. The train
would be delayed until another engine
could reach them from town forty
miles distant.


During the long and tedious waiting
that ensued, the ice of reserve melted
very rapidly between Hetty and the
interesting young gentleman. Surely,
even Aunt Maria could not expect her
to repel his advances any longer, thought
Hetty. And he was SO dignified, so
thoroughly gentleman there could be
no harm in having a little pleasant
conversation with him.


They became astonishingly good
friends, for so short time, as people
always do under such circumstances,
where conventional restraints are remov-
ed, and yet her companion was very
reticent on some points. He did not
reveal his name, or position in life, his
starting point or his destination. He
might be the Khan of Tartary, for all
that she knew, Hetty reflected, with a
slight feeling of pique. Neither did he
betray the slightest curiosity with
regard to her, and pride checked Hetty's
natural, schoolgirl abandon, and made
her as reticent as he was. If he had no
further interest in her than as pleasant
companion for few hours, neither had
she in him And yet she did wonder If
that would be the last they should ever
see of each otherl


The train had been due in New York
at midnight, but, owing to the accident
that had befallen the engine, it did not
reach there till nearly morning. Her
agreeable companion had beguiled the
way very much to Hetty, but she was
glad when the train rumbled into the
depot, and the detected and weary-eyed
passengers began to alight.


Though the train had been so long
delayed, she found carriage waiting
for her. Her travelling companion rec
ognized the coachman, with apparently
very great surprise.


us it possible that you are going to
Mrs. Vandervere's ?" he exclaimed, as
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