AN INDISCREET LETTER by ELEANOR HALLOWELL ABBOTT

This story gives you a seat on a Halifax to Boston train circa 1915 where you will catch a very interesting conversation between a salesman of women's wear, an electrician, and a young lady, who,tired of traveling for the past 3 days, and desirous of some conversation, asks if she can join in. The subject eventually turns to the fact she has written "an indiscreet letter", which , by the terms of the times, means any letter written to a one time acquaintance that bares the soul. In her case, its not a love letter but a heartfelt request to meet the man whose voice comforted her during the long, dark hours she and he waited for rescuers after their train wrecked. Its is a masterfully written short story that typifies the gilded age.