Year: 1872

HIS SlUGs


A telegram announcing the serious
illness of my only sister, had shortened
my hardly earned holiday. Though
started from the north Immediately by
the night mail, London would not be
reached before the next morning. With
the prospect of long and cold journey,
I provided plenty of rugs and furs, and
rolling myself up warmly in them, hop
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 I was just congratulate
ing myself on having secured an empty
carriage, when at a small country station,
to my disgust, the door was opened and
lady got in. Before I could remon-
strate the door was shut and the train
was again on the move.


"Confound that guard p I mentally
calculated "what lot of cold that
fellow has let in /" and l proceeded to
wrap my tiger skin more closely around
me. In doing SO, however, l found the
end of it. The girl, for so 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 "a
frightfully cold night for travelling"
The girl looked up and smiling her
thanks accepted my offer; but sank
again into a detected attitude into her
corner of the carriage.


Somehow could not settle to sleep.
In vain I 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.


Seen in the dim light given by the
lamp, judged her to be about twenty
years of age-a refined, fragile looking
girl, far too delicate to be abroad alone
such 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 there 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
servant Who was she? Where could
she be going? Would she be met ?
Losing myself in these conjectures l
awoke, making the chilly air still more
chill. | glanced atmy companion; she
looked positively death-like, but as
wide awake as ever. AS we were close
to London, / began to prepare my
things for leaving the train. The girl
returned my tiger-skin and thanked me
for it in low voice. / made few OBJ
servations on the wretchedness of being
obliged to travel all night, to which she
barely responded. AS wanted to fLd
out something about her, I went on
talking; told her was hurrying home
to see my sisters sick bed, but conoul
ded with:


"It will be too early, however, to
knock them up when we reach town
so shall 60 first and get some break
fast at coffee-house where am known
| which is sure to be open.''


:" Is it place lady can 60 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, / shall be
very happy to take you there" 1 an
swered, "and also to see after your lug
gage as you are not going to be metz


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


| On reaching London transferred nv
traps into cab, and we started together
in search of breakfast. Very soon we
were very comfortably located beside q
blazing fire, with steaming hot coffee
and eatables before us. My companion
ate but little and spoke still less.
"How pretty she is," thought, anG
! how entirely the lady. Still there il