Robert W. Chambers

“ He sat down.
"The question is," she said, with heightened color, "whether it is less embarrassing for us to be civil to one an other or to avoid one another. Everybody has seen the porter bring in our luggage; everybody supposes we are at least on friendly terms. If I go alone to the dining-car, and you go alone, gossip will begin. ”

“ An expression of utter horror came into her face. "What on earth shall I do!" she cried; "my brother has my ticket and my purse!"
A lunge and a bounce sent them into momentary collision; a flare of light from a ferry lantern flashed in their faces; the cab stopped and a porter jerked open the door, crying:
"Eden Limited? You'd better hurry, lady. They're closin' the gates now." ”

“ I'll do anything in the world to spare you—indeed I will. Tell me, would you prefer to dine alone—"
"Hush! people are listening," she said, in a low voice. "It's bad enough to be taken for bride and groom, but if people in this car think we've quarrelled I—I simply cannot endure it." ”

“ She began to laugh,—not hysterically, but it was not a natural laugh.
"And," he went on, "I've lost another sister in the shuffle, and you've lost another brother in the shuffle, and now there's a double-shuffle danced by you and me—"
"Dont. Don't! she said, faint from laughter.
"Yes, I will," he said. "And I'll say more! I'll say that Destiny is taking exclusive charge of our two families, and it would not surprise me if your brother and my sister were driving around New York together at this moment looking for us!"
Their laughter infected the entire dining-car; every waiter snickered ”

“ He produced the two tickets and they passed the gate, following a porter who carried their luggage.
Presently their porter climbed the steps of a sleeping-car. She followed and sat down beside her valise, resting her elbow on the polished window-sill, and her flushed cheek on her hand.
He passed her and continued on toward the end of the car, where she saw him engage in animated conversation with several officials. The officials shook their heads, and, after a while, he came slowly back to where she sat.
"I tried to exchange into another car," he said. "It cannot be done." ”

“ He dropped one hand and picked up a flower that had slipped from her finger-bowl. "You are the only person in the world who will not think me crazy for saying this. We're a headlong race. Will you marry me?" ”

“ Here's the telegram we got late this afternoon;—a regular bombshell." He drew the yellow bit of paper from his breast pocket, unfolded it, and read:
"'St. Augustine, Florida. "'I am going to marry to-morrow the loveliest girl in the United States. Only met her yesterday. Love at first sight. You'll all worship her! ”