Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1887 — FELICIA. [ARTICLE]

FELICIA.

CHAPTER I. THE IMPULSE OE THE MOMENT. “I say, Jasper,” exclaimed Tristram J’agett to his friend Middleton, as the hansom in which they were seated stopped suddenly at the entrance of the Euston Railway Station, “what a «crowd there is round that cab! Something has happened—an accident—perhaps.” Jasper Middleton, a tall, dark, gentlemanly looking young fellow, somewhere about five-and-twenty years of age, pitched away the end of his cigar, and gave a languid, indifferent glance in the direction pointed out by his friend. “Some horrid row, F suppose,” he replied, with an uninterested air, “for I can see a bonnet moving about; and when a woman is in the middle of a crowd you may bet there is a row.” “Yes, sir,” said a porter, touching his cap with particular servility, for he knew by the general appearance of the two “swells” that he should be “tip,ped” liberally for any extra attention. “There is a row on, and there’s a woman in the midfet of it. Any luggage sir?” “No; my man ought to be here with it already,” answered Jasper, as he paid the fare. “-How soon will the .iScotch express start?” “In seven minutes, sir.” “Then come on, Tristam; tyeW only just time. Never mipd what’s the matter. It will be far better not to mix yourself up in it.” “Common case, sir," interposed the porter. s “Often happens. Woman’s come here in a ‘growler,’ and then says she’s got no money, arid can’t pay ■her fare, and that always makes the cabbies particular wild.” “Don’t be in a hurry,” said Tristam; “we can spare a minute or two, and I feel a little curiosity to know more -about the affair.” As he spoke he took hold- of hiscompanion’s arm and dragged him into the throng. The cabman was standing on the pavement, gesticulating like a Frenchman. In his rage he had flung his cap on the ground and jumped on it; and he now gave expression to his opinions with great volubility and vigor. “Now, mem,” he cried, “I leave it to you. I arsk you to make your mind up—pay me my blessed fare without any more gammon, or get into the blessed-cab again, and! drives you to the nearest police-station; you takes your chiee, mem, out o’ them ’ere—l leaves it to you! I,only arsk which are you going to do?” The person to whom these wrathful and sarcastic observations were addressed had her back turned to Tristam and his friend. She was very plainly dressed in black, but her figure wad tall and graceful, and she had undoubtedly a ladylike and well-bred air. To the cabman’s remarks, however, she could not or would not reply. Her handkerchief was held to her face, and, she was sobbing violently. At this juncture the inspector interfered. .. ■ “Now, miss,” he said, firmly and respectfully, “we can’t have this going •on here any longer, you know! Whether you have been so unfortunate ■as to lose your purse or to have it stolen, as you say you have—or whether you have made a deliberate attempt to swindle the cabman out of his fare, as he says you have—can’t be settled here. The only thing you can do is to get into the cab and go before the nearest magistrate.” “That's just the size of it!” cried the. •cabman. “Now, mem, (/’you please,” he added, holding Open the cab door, and speaking with such mock humility that the bystanders burt into a roar of laughter. “Now, mem, oblige me by getting into the cab, mem, if you please!” Hut the young girl—for, from her manner, Tristam could tell she was no attempt to move, But stood wringing her hands as if distracted with grief“OhLhang it!”_cried Jasper, “this is no business of ours. Come along, or you will- be too late. It’s a ‘do,’ no doubt, and I dare say she knows how to get out of her scrape; anyhow, I’m off, for I don’t intend to lose the train through-mixing myself upln a row!” While speaking he shook himself free from his companion’s grasp, and hurried toward the booking-office. At the same moment Tristam placed him? self beside the slim black figure. y But as Jasper spoke the young girl started violently, and turned around—-

whether from annoyance! at the words uttered, or because she recognized the voice, it was impossible to say. She did turn, however, and while doing so tlung aside the thick black veil which had hitherto concealed her features. J A strange thrill quivered through every fiber of his body, as Tristam gazed into the lovely countenance now | brought to view. Paie"aMt was, swelled as her eyes were with hysterical weeping, it was evident that she possessed more than an ordinary share of beauty, as was manifested by the murmur of admiration which arose. Her glance fell upon Tristam—an appealing glance, which he was powerless to withstand. f , “1 beg pardon,” he said, as he raised his hat. “I hope the \ circumstances justify me, a stranger, in addressing you. I understand you have wet with gome misfortune?” , “Oh! thank you, sir,” she said, her voice almost inaudible from soba. “What shall I do? I have either lost my purse or it has been stolen from me! I left Paris last night, and it is most important that I should not miss the next Northern express. What shall I dO ?” '........

Her grief was so great—so unmis- | takeably genuine, Tristam thought—that he no longer hesitated as to the , course he should pursue.” “I shall be only too happy to be of i service to you,” he replied, courteous-'! iyThen, turning to the cabman, he added: “Come, my friend, I will undertake to settle your claim. How much is your fare?” “My fare,” said the cabman, “from Victoria here is two shillings, and I expect somethin’ for having been kep* waiting all this time.” “Here, that will pay all in full. Be off!” The cabman stared, and picked up | his hat. “Now, miss,” said Tristam, “will you hp kind enough to take my arm? Thank you very much! Allow me. This way.” The crowd divided, and he directed his steps toward the booking-office. His companion hung heavily u pon his arm, and trembled violently. She tried to thank her deliverer, but not a word could pass her lips. The loud ringing_of a bell now came upon their ears, and a stentorian voice cried: “Any more for the express—any ..more fbr the express! Look alive, sir, if you are going on!” “Calm yourself,” said Tristam to his companion. “You said. I think, that it was important that you should catch the express?” “Yes—yea! Oh! yes. Ajid I am penniless!” . • “But you did not mention your destination,” continued Tristam. unheeding her remarks. “Quick—quick! Tell me at onrie whexe you wish to go, or it will be too late!” . “Crewe,” she gasped; but —” Tristam waited to hear no more, but, disengaging himself, hurried across to the booking-window, the shutter of which the clerk was in the act of drawing down. “One first, Crewe!” he cried. “How much?” “Single, sir?” “Yes.” “Twenty-two and fourpence.” Tristam seized the ticket, and unheeding the calls of the clerk, who baw’led after him that he had forgotten his change, rejoined the young girl he was so generously befriending. “Come!” he cried, in a tone of command. “There is not a moment to lose!” And as he spoke he hurried the be--wildered and only half-conscious girl out of the booking-office across the platform, Y. 7 “Now, sir, where for?” cried the guard, who was just about to put the Avhiatle to his lips. “Crewe—Crewe!” And still confused, and seemingly only partially aware of what was taking place, the ypung girl found herself almost lifted into a carriage. She sank Lack on her seat, the door slammed, and the next thing she knew- was that the train was gliding rapidly out of the station. « Her heart was full of gratitude and thankfulness, and she looked up, expecting to see the stranger # who had rendered her so signal a service. But, to her surprise, she found herself the sole occupant of the compartment. - “How can 1- thank him?” she I thought. “Shall I ever see him again, 1 I wonder?” And then a cold shiver came over her as she said: “What, oh! what would have become of me but for his generous help? And then, that other voice. Could I have been mistaken? No—no. Impossible. TO BE CONTINUED. 1 The Bird Followed Its Neat. Edward A. Lovelock, of State street, lately bought a young tree set in a tub. He brought it to his place of business and afterward noticed a bird fluttering arotind the tree. This caused him to make a closer examination of his purchase, and he discovered in the branches of the tree the nest of a lark. There were five eggs in the nest and the bird had followed him home. Mr. Lovelock is giving careful attention to his now family.—7'rov 2 J ' _L ♦ Washington Irving’s old home, “Sunnyside,” on the Hudson, now ■ presents a beautiful and,picturesque ■ appearanse, all overgrown with ivy and flowering vines. It is as delight-I ful as the memory of Irving. ♦ • —— ~ James R. Keene, who was once on the wrong side of a Chicago wheat! concern, Is!reported tec have been on the right side of the late one, and took $150,000 out of it. The remains of the sculptor JoeL T.Hart, whicn were brought home from i Italy two years ago. were finally imH terred at Frankfort, Ky.