218 WINTER SUNSHINE 



that T lost at once my desire to tramp up them. I 

 barely had time to turn from the mountains to 

 get a view of Conway Castle, one of the largest 

 and most impressive ruins I saw. The train cuts 

 close to the great round tower, and plunges through 

 the wall of gray, shelving stone into the bluff be- 

 yond, giving the traveler only time to glance and 

 marvel. 



About the only glimpse I got of the Welsh char- 

 acter was on this route. At one of the stations, 

 Abergele I think, a fresh, blooming young woman 

 got into our compartment, occupied by myself and 

 two commercial travelers (bag-men, or, as we say, 

 "drummers"), and, before she could take her seat, 

 was complimented by one of them on her good 

 looks. Feeling in a measure responsible for the 

 honor and good-breeding of the compartment, I 

 could hardly conceal my embarrassment ; but the 

 young Abergeless herself did not seem to take it 

 amiss, and, when presently the jolly bag-man ad- 

 dressed his conversation to her, replied beseemingly 

 and good-naturedly. As she arose to leave the car 

 at her destination, a few stations beyond, he said 

 " he thought it a pity that such a sweet, pretty girl 

 should leave us so soon," and seizing her hand the 

 audacious rascal actually solicited a kiss. I ex- 

 pected this would be the one drop too much, and 

 that we should have a scene, and began to regard 

 myself in the light of an avenger of an insulted 

 Welsh beauty, when my heroine paused, and I be- 

 lieve actually deliberated whether or not to comply 



