The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-05-19
THE $3.50 EXPRESS.

WE had been married just six months,
and on our return from the honeymoon
had settled down for good and all at my
dear old-fashioned home, Sunnyside.
At that time do not believe there ex-
listed happier man in the United King
dom than myself. I possessed q nice
snug little property, with no inconsid-
cradle rent-roll; and the estate was not
in Ireland, where Rory of the Hills"
might have made me feel not quite SO
secure in the possession of the broad
acres of my ancestors. 1 had also just
married, after courtship in which,
contrary to the usual experience, the
course of love ran quite smoothly. Be-
sides all these blessings, l rejoiced in
good health and spirits. What more
could a man desire to make life happy?
Although / was thankful that my
property was not in Ireland, still had
no dislike to the Emerald Isle, as some
of tho happiest days of my life had been
spent there. For was it not when was
quartered with my regiment at the Cur
ragh that l met my darling Nelly in
Kildare? On seeing her. l gave up the
brilliant career of a soldier, taken pris-
oner by her soft dark eyes; and, though
it cost me a pang to leave my old regi-
ment and all my friends, still felt there
could not be happier or more content
ed man than myself.
There could not ber' I repeated,
looking down into my wife sweet face,
as we sat side by side beneath a spread
ing lime-tree in thecool, calm and quiet
of glorious summer evening, listening
to the birds singing.
Even as these thoughts passed through
my mind, boy crossed the lawn and
placed a telegram in my hand, the sight
of which Immediately filled me with
misgivings. Taking the missive in my
hand, turned it over and looked at the
handwriting on the envelope, as though
l could make out something in that
way.
"Open it. Frank" suggested Nelly;
and accordingly Ibid so.
1t was from my brothers wife, and
ran as follows:
John has met with bad accident.
Do come at once. if you can"
immediately ran over in my mind
the trains that passed our little out-of-
the-way place. There were only two.
Then would 60 by the $3.50 express the
next morning. This would be the first
time since our marriage that had left
Nelly, even for day; and she cried al
the thought of it. My preparations
were soon made.
"What a blessing q wife isr' men.
tally calculated, as l watched Nelly
deity packing my portmanteau, and
thinking of thousand little things that
in the fuss of this sudden emergency
should most certainly have forgotten.
Seven clock the next morning found
us at breakfast, Nelly herself. making
tho coffee and boiling the eggs. and
making much of me, as she ministered
to my wants. looked at my watch.
NEARLY eight, Nelly. must be of
II want to catch the train"
"Very well, Frank; I am ready. MAY
] walk to the station with your"
"No, dear better not. It is too far.
And l shouldn't like you to walk bact
alone"
81 wish might come to the station
and see you off!'' she said, wistfully,
and then added as l shook my head,
"Oh, know-I will walk down to the
river-bank and see you a. the train
passes! Be sure and look out"
The railway line ran almost through
Sunnyside, but the station was mile
of. It was rather provoking to be q
near and yet SO far. We exchanged 8
last kiss; and then l hurried away
turning every now and then to wave
my hand to the slight. girlish figure OF
the bridge.
REACHED the station ten minutes tot
early. l might easily have stayed
longer with Nelly. So I got my tickle
and walked up and down, wishing tn
train would come. Morley was dreary
little country station. with nothing Il
look at, and not even q newspaper X
be procured. Seeing hamper done ~
In straw and fascinating, walked up L
it and read the direction. I was lit
tie startled to see that it was addressed
to myself, till I remembered that n
must be the hamper of plants had or
dered down for Nelly; 40, calling ,
porter, babe him take it down I,
Sunnyside at once. thinking IL woult
amuse her to be arranging them in tn
conservatory during my absence.
When the express train came in,
got into a carriage, the only other oocu
pant OF which was q gentleman, y0un.
man. with . very sunburnt face ant
dark eyes. Immediately statione,
myself at the window. with my hand
kerchief in readiness to wave TO Nelly
Very soon we came within sight Of th,
river. and-yes. there she was, stand