Bosom Friends

te that has fl

e's varied path

ldren firmly by the hand, harassed fathers sought to pack their families into already overflowing compartments, excited cyclists were endeavouring to disentangle their machines from among the piles of boxes and portmanteaus, a circus and a thea

s perplexed passengers, made a combination calculated to give a headache to the owner of the stoutest nerves, and to drive timid travellers to distraction. All th

From the eager glances she cast up and down the platform she appeared to be waiting for somebody, and she tried to beguile the time by watching the surging mass of tourists who hurried past her in a ceaseless stream. She had listened while the circus manager button-holed the superintendent and excitedly proclaimed his woes; she had held her breath with interest when the slum babies, with their buns and brown-paper parcels, were successfully bundled into the compartments reserved for them, and had craned her neck to catch a last glimpse as they steamed slowly out of the station, their small faces filling the windows like groups of cherubs, and their shrill little voices over-topping all the other noise and din as they joined lustily in the chorus of a hymn. She had witnessed the struggles of several family parties to secure seats, the altercation between the young man with the St. Bernard dog an

boots, the tiny gold bangles and the jewelled locket seemed more suitable for a garden party or a walk on the promenade than for the dust and dirt of a crowded railway journey. To Isobel, however, she appeared like an enchanted princess in a fairy story, and she looked on with thrilling interest while the attractive stranger made her choice among the supply of literature provided for the wants of the travelling public. She seemed somewhat difficult to satisfy, for she threw down one magazine after another in a rather disdainful fashion, declaring that none of them looked worth reading, and, calling to the assistant, bade him show her

her dear-

wrong van, and has gone on to Whitecastle. I was obliged to telegraph about it, but I hope we may get it this evening. Com

s hand, and the two hurried across th

ese things in the carriage, please. Third class. It seems almost impossible to

ke old man, as he reached out a strong hand to help her into the car

ith tuning incessantly, did not offer much prospect of a peaceful journey; but Mrs. Stewart knew it was impossible to choose one's company at a h

ravellin' since eight o'clock this mornin', and I shall be reet glad to find myself back at Silversands again. Little missy 'ud like to sit by the window here, I take it?" good-naturedly making room for her.-"Nay, no need o' thanks! You're welcome, hon

d such luck as to secure a window-seat, and she surveyed the ruddy cheeks and

a matter of sixty year. Where might you be a-stayin', if I may make so bold? Mrs. Jackson! Why, she's an old friend o' mine, and will

n the conversation. "Take your seats, please! All sta

and hat boxes; the guard had already unfurled his green flag, and was in the act of putting th

rl in the blue hat, too! They were buying papers at the bookstall. Just look how they're running! Oh, th

the lady in desperate tones, as the i

t ceremony, and jumping her into the compartment.-"Luggage in the front

the lap of old Mr. Binks, who had watched their sudden arrival with open-mouthed interest. The lady apologized prettily, and finding room between the pierrot and a market-woman with sev

le girl. "Do you see they've put

. We can change at the next station if we wish, but it seems scarcely worth while for so

the little girl disconsolately. "Why couldn't the train wait for us?

own fault, for you wouldn't come away from the b

ll like this one, now I have it. Give me Micky, please," taking the pet dog on to

oon feel better, now this nice breeze is coming in through the windo

. "Oh dear! I'm so tired! I hate travelling. Why can't we have a carriage to ourselves? This basket's k

her basket as she spoke. "I've paid for my ticket same as other folk

es if they're too fine to travel with the likes o

"The heat's turned the milk sour, and I durstn't give him his bottle. He won't go to s

know, for I've reared seven. Live and let live's my motto, and a good un to

e lady hastily, adding in a low tone to the little girl, "Be

s knee. The baby was asleep at last, worn out with crying, and the trippers were handing round refreshments-large wedges of pork pie, sticky buns, and cold tea, which they drank in turns out of a bottle. They pressed these dainties cordially upon everybody in the carriage, but the only one who consented to share their hospitality was the market-woman, who remarked audibly that "she was not proud, however much some folks might stick theirselves up." In return she produced a couple of apples from her basket, which she presented to th

se people are going there! I'm sure Silversands will be ever so much

he could catch glimpses of delightful little pools among the rocks left by the retreating tide, and Mr. Binks, who seemed to enjoy acting as guide, drew her notice continually to rows of bathing-vans, children riding donkeys or digging sand-castles on the beach, or fishwives gathering cockles at the

e close on Silversands now-you can see it there, over at t'other side of the bay-so you won't be

wayside station, with a gay garden running alongside the platform, and the name "Silversands" elaborately done out in white stones upon a green bank. A group of Scotch firs gave a pleasant shade and a suggestion of country woods; the sea and th

. "This is really Silversands at last! Oh, look a

own, and your ma too. You're welcome, marm, I'm sure, to anything as I may have done for you; and if you and missy here is takin' a walk some day towards 'the balk,' just ask for Binks of the White Coppi

ch an interest, as they got out of the train with much apparent relief, and were greeted by qui

"We were obliged to go in a third-class carriage with the rudest and dirtiest

il their numerous boxes and portmanteaus had been collected and disposed on a carriage, and they and their friends had finally passed through the gate at the bottom of the platform, it was quite impossible for Mrs. Stewart