The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-03-23

ping an instant 10 speak 10 some one who
was out Of her sight upon the platform,
whom she could not see, but whose voice,
all stunned rs she was, thrilled her
through and through. Could II beP No
surely she must be mad or dreaming; but
again she heard those kindly, hearty, man!
" tones, and as Mr.. Jones drew back
little the owner Of the voice advanced a
step oftwo, and there, unhurt but grimy
from getting the wounded out from the
wreck, stood Tom Ferrarsl .9F I
"Tomw "Lauraw allow came you
here " both cried out at once. He would
scarcely answer any Of her eager questions
until the surgeon had assured him that
she was only stunned and bruised, and
that there were no injuries that quiet and
Logan's arnica would not set to rights.
Then il turned out that he had received
the news Of Gen. Conway's death Just be-
fore leaving New Zealand, had arrived at
Liverpool that day, and was on his way
to town by theup train, meaning, as he
said, to take them by surprise, know
ing Of course, nothing about his
sisters dangerous illness. All further
travel by rail was out question that night,
the road being blocked with the wrecked
carriages, and Tom thought Laura ought
to stay till morning at the railway hotel,
opposite, which was all ablaze with light
and excitement, the wounded passengers
having all been carried there by this time.
But Laura declared that she felt already
much better, and sitting up on the sofia,
she begged Tom to try for conveyance
to Fenwick's Grange, only five miles dis.
tant by the road, eagerly assuring him
that the nights suspense and anxiety
would do her far moro harm than push.
ing on at onccto Margaret. She could not
bear TO lose ono more precious minute,
they might already be too late. So, tell.
ing her 10 keep quiet till lie came back,
he first went to telegraph their safety to
Mr.. FenwicS, and to look for q ily-no
easy task, when everything on wheels
seemed to havc been put into requisition
already, and the resources Of the place
were but SMALL At last q kindly farmer,
who had been working with Tom To get
the wounded from the wreck, and had
taken liking TO his fellow laborer, offer
ed to drivethem to tho Grange IN his dog
cart, in which heEhad Just been passing
on his way home from the country town
when the accident happened. Meanwhile
Laura, In the waitmg.room, spite Of the
horror OF the accident, spite ofthe dread.
full suspense about her cousin, had had
such delightful sense Of rest and securl.
ty in having Tom to 10 take care Of her,
that she half hated herself for u heartless
wretch Tor taking comfort in anything at
such time. But she could not help it
there was an ineXpressible comfort In the
very sound oil his voice, the touch of his
strong, kind hand.
1t seemed hard to drive away and leave
all, that suffering without doing anything
to help, but they were assured that there
was no lack Of efficient aid from the neigh.
borhoOd, and their first duty was clearly
at the Grange; so, leaving liberal supply
of money for the comfort OF the poorer
passengers, they started to Farmer
Smiths dog.cart. The drive was very
painful to Laura, who found herself grow
ing every minute more stiff and sore and
aching, and the jolting of the dog-cart
over the frozen road made her feel ready
TO shrek with pain at every bump. But
after such an escape As from the agonies
which many,a poor soul lay grooming
under at c., she would have scorned
to have uttered word of complaint and
Ipluckly answered IAN right" whenever
Tom asked how she felt
About half way to Grange they met
Mr.. Fenwick, who, poor man, was in the
greatest anxiety, having missed Toms
AL right" telegram. He had gone to
meet Laura himself. The news Of the &C.
cident had reached L. station q
minute or two after the train was due.
and the only reply he received tohis tele.
gram to the c. station-master, asking
for news Of Laura, was that lady ans
wcring TO this description had just been
taken from one Of thecarriages inthe down
train in fainting condition. Both par
ties were able to confer mutual relief and
satisfaction, since Laura and Tom had
the ineXprcssible happiness OF hearing
that Margaret had been sleeping quietly
since 0 o'clock, and although the danger
was by no means over, tho doctors
thought there was now every reason to
hope Tor her recovery. So they got into
the Grange carriage, very welcome OK
change to Laura's aching frame, and Far.
mer Smith, good soul, turned his fast
mare toward c., TO sec II he and
Peggy could do any one else service.
Margaret was still sleeping when they
arrived at the Grange, and it was thought
wiser that Laura should not 60 to her that
night. Mrs. Barnes, the housekeeper,
who was capital nurse, came to her
with most encouraging bulletin. and,
after promising to call her at once at the
least unlavorable change, persuaded her
to 60 10 her own room, which looked
most inviting toher weary eyes, with the
bright fire, drawn curtains, deep, chintz.
covered easy chairs and snowy bed. DR..
Hilbers had gone home, and the surgeon,
who was going to spend the night there,
had left his patient with an easy mind, to
get u. little well.earned rest himself. Mrs.
Barnes bathed poor Laura's bruises and
made her drink some hot negus; and she
really slept better than she could have be-
licved possible when she was on her way
from the station. M M
The next morning found Margaret so
much better, that shewas able 10 enjoy
seeing both Tom and Laura, and declared
that to have them with her would cure.
her sooner than anything else. Mr.. Fen.
wick said they must not think Of going
Ebeiore Christmas, which would be the
first they had spent together for SO many
years, and insisted TINT Laura should
wfite to Evans TO bring Jessie down, and
settleherself quietly for o good long visit.
Tom seemed to be thoroughly contented
and happy, and Laura was shaken in the
flrmneSs OF her conviction Of his hope.
less attachment for Fanny Majoribanks
when she saw how unConcernedly he
talked about Mrs. Gordon, whose
name she had been almost afraid to men
tion to him. Hunting in New Zealand