Year: 1872




A telegram announcing the serious
illness of my only sister, had shortened
my hardly earned holiday. Though 1
started from the north As1nediately by
the night mail, London would not be
reached before the next morning. With
the prospect of a long and cold journey,
1 provided plenty of rugs and furs, and
rolling myself up warmly in them, b op-
ed to be able to allay my anxiety in
sleep.


1t was bitter night in the beginning
of December. Snow had been falling
slightly through the day, and the coun-
try through which we hurried looked
bleak and dismal. Spite of the wealth
er there appeared to be good many
passengers, and l was just congratulate
ing myself on having secured an empty
carriage, when at small country station,
to my disgust, the door was opened and
a lady got in. Before could remon-
strate the door was shut and the train
was again on the move.


"Confound that guard |" mentally
calculated /" what q lot of cold that
fellow has let in r' and 1 proceeded to
wrap my tiger skin more closely around
me. In doing 80, however, l found the
unwelcome intruder had her feet on the
end of it. The girl, for 30 judged her
to be from the slightness of her figure,
moved instantly, and caught glimpse
of her face. 1t was enough The utter
wretchedness, palor and woebegone look
arrested my hand; and noticing that
she only had small bag with her, in
stead of taking care of myself begged
her to accept the loan of my rug, re-
marking at the same time that it was ga
frightfully cold night for -aveling."
The girl looked up and smiling her
thanks accepted my offer; but sank
again into detected attitude into her
corner of the carriage.


Somehow could not settle to sleep.
In vain 1 shut my eyes some strange
attraction caused me to open them and
look toward my companion. She was
now leaning forward gazing into the
darkness with an anxious questioning
look upon her face-a look as if she was
striving to look into futurity-painful
to behold in one SO young.


lamp, 1 judged her to be about twenty
years of age-a refined, fragile-lookipg
girl, far too delicate to be abroad alone
such a night. From her face my glance
descended to her dress, which was hand
some and in very good taste; she had
taken off her gloves and her small, we'll
formed hands were clasped tightly to-
gether on her lap. That she was labor
ing under some deep distress or anxiety
of mind tl.ere could be no doubt.


Was it not strange for so young and
pretty girl to be travelling alone at
such an hour? I had looked at my
watch when she got into the carriage,
and it marked midnight. No one had
accompanied her to the door, not even
a servantI Who was she !? Where could
ha ol.11 oh h. -
Losing myself in these coniectures /
awolxe, making the chilly sir still more
chill. glanced atmy companion she
looked positively death-like, but as
wide awake as ever. AS we were close
to London, I began to prepare my
things for leaving the train. The girl
returned my tiger-skin and thanked me
for it in low voice. l made few OBJ
servations on the wretchedness of being
obliged to travel all night, to which she
barely responded. As l wanted to iLd
out something about her, 1 went on
talking; told her was hurrying home
to see my sisters sick bed, but concul-
ded with:


knock them up when we reach town
SO 1 shall go first and get some break
fast at a coffee-house whore 1 am known
which is sure to be open."





g Is it place a lady can go tor" to
my surprise asked my companion "be-
cause, if so, shall be very glad of some
coffee before / continue my journey"


If you will permit me, l shall be
very happy to take you there" l an
swered, land also to gee after your lug.
gage as you are not going to be met"


Thank you," she replied, while a
vivid blush crossed her pale face; but
/ have only this bag with me-"


On reaching London transferred my
traps into cab, and we started together
in search of breakfast. Very soon We
were very comfortably located beside 6
blazing fire, with steaming hot coffee
and eatabIes before us. My companion
ate but little and spoke still less.


"How pretty she is" thought, I" ane
boy entirely the lady. Still there j