house, and went direct to Mrs. Watson's apartments. Upon delivering the telescope basket. I asked if everything was in readiness for her journey, at the same time handing her a ticket to New York.
"Yes, and no," replied Mrs. Watson. "I was all ready, but Miss————, who is going as far as Boston with me, finds it impossible to leave until tomorrow night, and I do not wish to go without her. Besides," she continued, "I have several articles of clothing that should have been delivered before this, but which have not yet arrived, and it cannot hurt for me to remain one day longer."
It was a woman's way, and there was no help for it. I was sorely vexed and disappointed to learn of this change in my plans, as I expected to go to Milwaukee early the next morning on business of importance, and I disliked the thought of going away until Mrs. Watson was safely out of the city. I reasoned with her, on the plea that she should show some consideration for the seriousness of our position, and carry out her agreement with me of the night before; that I had lost considerable time already in perfecting arrangements for her departure, and that, in all fairness to me, she should leave Chicago without further delay.
She was obdurate, however, and could not see that my objections to her remaining over were well taken, as she argued that I, not she, was largely responsible for her predicament, and that my demand for her immediate departure was not based upon reason. On the other hand, she thought I should be congratulating myself for the manner in which she was protecting me, instead of upbraiding her in this fashion for what I was pleased to term her seeming negligence and lack of interest.
It was no use to discuss the matter any further, as Mrs. Watson was determined not to leave that night, but she promised faithfully to go on the afternoon or evening train of the next day.
Returning to my room at the hotel, I busied myself with studying out a plan of action for my own observance on the morrow. I resolved to go to Milwaukee by the early morning train, but questioned the advisability of remaining there over night while everything was so upset, as I wanted the matter of Mrs. Watson's departure entirely off my mind, and considered it best that I should be present when she left. I concluded, therefore, to go to Milwaukee as outlined, transact what business I could, and return again during the afternoon, and this plan was subsequently executed.
My thoughts, as I neared Chicago on my return, can better be imagined than described. The trip to Milwaukee, while it consumed only a few hours, had been highly successful, and I felt in buoyant spirits as the train speeded along in the direction of the "Windy City."
We were approaching a station, the brakes had been applied, and even now the train was slowing up. The brakies were busy once more, and as they passed through, announcing in strenuous tones, "Evanston!—next stop! Evanston!—next stop!" an occasional passenger would rouse himself and make ready to take his leave. To me, however, this stir and tumult was of little moment. My thoughts were centered upon the one idea of getting Mrs. Watson safely away, and although I felt highly elated over the financial outcome of my trip, the subject of her presence in the city under the circumstances was the skeleton at my feast.
Soon the suburban town of Evanston was reached, and the great iron monster had hardly ceased its throbbings. when there was a din and confusion outside that rose high above the natural tumult around the depot. It was the "newsies" shouting out the different features of the evening papers, and as one great army they clamored about in noisy demonstration. Every passenger by this time had become inoculated with their enthusiasm, and from window and platform were fast dissipating the youngsters' stock in trade.
What a chorus of voices! I thought, but paid little heed to the inharmony of sound until one shrill shout aroused me from my lethargy and seemed to chill every drop of blood in my veins.
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