The Parlor Car | Page 9

get worse and worse to
the end of our days; that we should grow farther and farther apart, and I
should be left moping at home, while you ran about making confidantes
of other women whom you considered WORTHY of your confidence.
It all FLASHED upon me in an INSTANT; and I resolved to break
with you, then and there; and I did, just as soon as ever I could go to
my room for your things, and I'm glad,--yes,--Oh, hu, hu, hu, hu,
hu!--SO glad I did it!"
MR. RICHARDS, grimly: "Your joy is obvious. May I ask" -
MISS GALBRAITH: "Oh, it wasn't the FIRST proof you had given me
how little you really cared for me, but I was determined it should be the
last. I dare say you've forgotten them! I dare say you don't remember
telling Mamie Morris that you didn't like embroidered cigar- cases,
when you'd just TOLD me that you did, and let me be such a fool as to
commence one for you; but I'm thankful to say THAT went into the
fire,--oh, yes, INSTANTLY! And I dare say you've forgotten that you
didn't tell me your brother's engagement was to be kept, and let me
come out with it that night at the Rudges', and then looked perfectly
aghast, so that everybody thought I had been blabbing! Time and again,
Allen, you have made me suffer agonies, yes, AGONIES; but your
power to do so is at an end. I am free and happy at last." She weeps
bitterly.
MR. RICHARDS, quietly: "Yes, I HAD forgotten those crimes, and I
suppose many similar atrocities. I own it, I AM forgetful and careless. I
was wrong about those things. I ought to have told you why I said that

to Miss Morris: I was afraid she was going to work me one. As to that
accident I told Mrs. Dawes of, it wasn't worth mentioning. Our boat
simply walked over a sloop in the night, and nobody was hurt. I
shouldn't have thought twice about it, if she hadn't happened to brag of
their passing close to an iceberg on their way home from Europe; then I
trotted out MY pretty-near disaster as a match for hers,--confound her!
I wish the iceberg had sunk them! Only it wouldn't have sunk
her,--she's so light; she'd have gone bobbing about all over the Atlantic
Ocean, like a cork; she's got a perfect life-preserver in that mind of
hers." Miss Galbraith gives a little laugh, and then a little moan. "But
since you are happy, I will not repine, Miss Galbraith. I don't pretend to
be very happy myself, but then, I don't deserve it. Since you are ready
to let an absolutely unconscious offence on my part cancel all the past;
since you let my devoted love weigh as nothing against the momentary
pique that a malicious little rattle-pate--she was vexed at my leaving
her- -could make you feel, and choose to gratify a wicked resentment at
the cost of any suffering to me, why, I can be glad and happy too."
With rising anger, "Yes, Miss Galbraith. All IS over between us. You
can go! I renounce you!"
MISS GALBRAITH, springing fiercely to her feet: "Go, indeed!
Renounce me! Be so good as to remember that you haven't got me TO
renounce!"
MR. RICHARDS: "Well, it's all the same thing. I'd renounce you if I
had. Good-evening, Miss Galbraith. I will send back your presents as
soon as I get to town; it won't be necessary to acknowledge them. I
hope we may never meet again." He goes out of the door towards the
front of the ear, but returns directly, and glances uneasily at Miss
Galbraith, who remains with her handkerchief pressed to her eyes.
"Ah--a--that is--I shall be obliged to intrude upon you again. The fact
is" -
MISS GALBRAITH, anxiously: "Why, the cars have stopped! Are we
at Schenectady?"
MR. RICHARDS: "Well, no; not EXACTLY; not stopped exactly at
SCHENECTADY" -
MISS GALBRAITH: "Then what station is this? Have they carried me
by?" Observing his embarrassment, "Allen, what is the matter? What
has happened? Tell me instantly! Are we off the track? Have we run

into another train? Have we broken through a bridge? Shall we be burnt
alive? Tell me, Allen, tell me,--I can bear it!--are we telescoped?" She
wrings her hands in terror.
MR. RICHARDS, unsympathetically: "Nothing of the kind has
happened. This car has simply come uncoupled, and the rest of the train
has gone on ahead, and left us standing on the track, nowhere in
particular." He leans back in his chair, and wheels it round from her.
MISS GALBRAITH, mortified, yet anxious: "Well?"
MR. RICHARDS: "Well, until they miss us, and run back to pick us up,