Part 24 (1/2)

This time, one of the pa.s.sengers in our car was a man name of Elmont Briggs.

The trouble was ready to start.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX.

Briggs At just about the same time the conductor yelled ”All aboooard,” Elmont Briggs came striding up the aisle. He appeared to be heading for the seats behind us, but stopped quick when he spotted Sarah.

She raised her face to see who was standing there.

For a spell, they stared at each other.

The fellow looked perplexed, but awful glad to see her. He was probably about Sarah's age, and had a face so pretty it looked downright girlish. It was clean-shaven, with reddish lips, a pert little nose, big blue eyes and pale brows. His wavy golden hair hung clear to his shoulders. I wondered if he might be a gal after all, even though he was dressed like a man. He was all decked out in s.h.i.+ny boots, black trousers and coat, and had a string tie around the neck of his s.h.i.+rt. A woman wasn't likely to dress in such a fas.h.i.+on. Besides, his chest looked flat. Then he spoke, and his low voice removed my doubts.

”Libby Gordon!” he proclaimed. ”I don't believe my eyes.”

”Pardon me?” Sarah said.

”It's me. me. Elmont Briggs.” Elmont Briggs.”

”I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Briggs,” she told him, sounding a bit amused. ”But I'm afraid...”

”You don't remember me? Yale? Cla.s.s of '84. You accompanied James Bellows to the...”

”My name is Sarah Forrest,” she explained. ”I've never even been been in Connecticut, much less accompanied a James Bellows to in Connecticut, much less accompanied a James Bellows to any anything. Obviously, you've mistaken me for this Libby person.”

”You're not Libby Gordon?” he asked, tilting his head to one side.

”No, indeed.”

”But...the resemblance is uncanny. Remarkable. I'm dumbfounded.” Frowning, shaking his curly locks, he said, ”Please accept my apologies for intruding in such a bold fas.h.i.+on.”

”It's quite all right.”

I figured he would move on, now. But he stayed put.

The train started moving, though. As usual, it took off with a sudden lurch. Elmont staggered sideways. Even though he didn't seem to be in much danger of falling, he caught hold of Sarah's shoulder.

”Woops,” he said. Then he let go of it and grabbed the corner of her seat back. ”I only met Libby once,” he explained. ”I've never forgotten her, however. One does not forget such a vision of beauty. When I spied you sitting here...Such a shock. Such a delightful shock. But an error.”

Sarah's face was turned away, so I couldn't see how she was taking all this.

Elmont's eyes s.h.i.+fted over to me. He curled his lips. It was suppose to be a smile, I reckon, but it looked a mite sour. ”And would this fine young man be your brother?”

”My servant, Trevor.”

”You're traveling alone, then?”

”With Trevor.”

”I should very much like to join you. Perhaps we might sit together.”

”Perhaps you should shove off,” I told him.

Well, his pretty blue eyes bugged out and his face got scarlet. Sarah's head swung around. She looked as out of sorts as Elmont.

”Trevor!” she whispered.

”He's after my seat,” I snapped. He's after you He's after you, is what went through my mind.

”Is your boy always this impertinent?” Elmont asked.

”b.u.g.g.e.r off,” I told him.

And Sarah slapped me across the face.

”What's the matter matter with you!” she snapped. with you!” she snapped.

I just sat there, my cheek hot where she'd smacked it. The cheek didn't hurt much, but I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach.

I felt a whole lot worse when Sarah stood up without saying another word and followed Elmont up the aisle.

She'd never struck me before. She'd never even spoken harshly to me. I doubt there were ever two people who got along any better together than me and Sarah.

Now, she'd not only struck me but gone off with Elmont.

She stayed with him, too. For a long, long time. Leaving me there alone and miserable. Couldn't she see that Elmont was a cad? What was wrong with her? How could she fall for his flattery like that? How could she abandon me? What if she doesn't come back at all, and takes up with him?

I almost got up to go looking for her. But I didn't relish the notion of seeing them together. They might be laughing. They might be holding hands. Or worse.

It sickened me to think about such things.

I couldn't stop it, though. I pictured his lips on her mouth, his hands exploring her body and sneaking under her clothes. In my mind, she didn't simply allow him such liberties, but led him along. And touched him in return.

I told myself they wouldn't dare. People would see. But the car wasn't particularly crowded. If the seats across the aisle from them were empty...

Well, she finally came back. She gave me a sharp look, then sat down.

”How could you speak to him that way, Trevor?”

”How could you go off with him?”

”He's a very nice man. You had no call to abuse him. You were awful.”

”I doubt there ever was was a Libby Gordon. The cur took a fancy to you, that's all. He's a b.l.o.o.d.y liar.” a Libby Gordon. The cur took a fancy to you, that's all. He's a b.l.o.o.d.y liar.”

”You're acting like a child.”