“A rare specimen of the raw Yankee,” said the stranger to John, never dreaming in what relation she stood to him.

“Yes,” answered John, not thinking it at all necessary to make any further explanations.

By this time Mrs. Nichols had attracted the attention of all the passengers, who watched her movements with great interest.  Among these was a fine-looking youth, fifteen or sixteen years of age, who sat directly in front of ’Lena.  He had a remarkably open, pleasing countenance, while there was that in his eyes which showed him to be a lover of fun.  Thinking he had now found it in a rich form, he turned partly round, and would undoubtedly have quizzed Mrs. Nichols unmercifully, had not something in the appearance of ’Lena prevented him.  This was also her first ride in the cars, but she possessed a tact of concealing the fact, and if she sometimes felt frightened, she looked in the faces of those around her, gathering from them that there was no danger.  She knew that her grandmother was making herself ridiculous, and her eyes filled with tears as she whispered, “Do sit still, granny; everybody is looking at you.”

The young lad noticed this, and while it quelled in him the spirit of ridicule, it awoke a strange interest in ’Lena, who he saw was beautiful, spite of her unseemly guise.  She was a dear lover of nature, and as the cars sped on through the wild mountain scenery, between Pittsfield and Albany, she stood at the open window, her hands closely locked together, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes wide with wonder at the country through which they were passing.  At her grandmother’s suggestion she had removed her bonnet, and the brown curls which clustered around her white forehead and neck were moved up and down by the fresh breeze which was blowing.  The youth was a passionate admirer of beauty, come in what garb it might, and now as he watched, he felt a strong desire to touch one of the glossy ringlets which floated within his reach.  There would be no harm in it, he thought—­“she was only a little girl, and he was almost a man—­had tried to shave, and was going to enter college in the fall.”  Still he felt some doubts as to the propriety of the act, and was about making up his mind that he had better not, when the train shot into the “tunnel,” and for an instant they were in total darkness.  Quick as thought his hand sought the brown curls, but they were gone, and when the cars again emerged into daylight, ’Lena’s arms were around her grandmother’s neck, trying to hold her down, for the old lady, sure of a smash-up this time, had attempted to rise, screaming loudly for “John!”

The boy laughed aloud—­he could not help it; but when ’Lena’s eyes turned reprovingly upon him, he felt sorry; and anxious to make amends, addressed himself very politely to Mrs. Nichols, explaining to her that it was a “tunnel” through which they had passed, and assuring her there was no danger whatever.  Then turning to ’Lena, he said, “I reckon your grandmother is not much accustomed to traveling.”