Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-07-14
A LUCKY SHIP.

IL was about twelve o'clock on q
dark, cold February night; the rain had
been pouring down steadily for several
days. One could hardly imagine more
bleak, desolate station than Elmwood
on that night. with one lamp making
darkness visible, the platform an inch
deep in rain, and sleepy station master
and porter giving the only indications
of life.
Mr.. Hugh Lambert, as he got out Of
the train and went to look after his
luggage, felt very thankful that he
had only q mile to drive before reach
ing home. He was a man of about
forty. old for his years and slightly
grays in figure he was tall and well
made, and his face had an expression
Of cleverness.
AS rule few passengers alighted at
Elmwood by that late train; but on
this night there were two besides
Hugh Lambert-a young lady and her
maid, with goodly pile Of luggage.
Hugh was wondering il little as to
where they could be going, when he
heard the girl ask the station-master if
there was carriage waiting from Mrs.
Newton, of Priarton.1
"Why, the road has bin blocked since
=
six o'clock, miss T There's bin a big
landslip, and they're working all night
to git it cleared. I don't think you'll
get to Priarton this week, what with
the slip and the floods"
"What am l to do?' exclaimed the
girl, with face of blank despair. ais
there no other road to get to Priarton 90
Hugh Lambert was listening with
some interest. Mrs. Newton was his
nearest neighbor, and great friend of
his; this must be her niece, of whom
he had often heard. He approached
the lady and raised his hat courteously.
81 am sorry to say there is no other
road to Priarton; nor is there any way
of getting there tonight. l heard OF
the landslip only about an hour ago,
and know that the road is completely
blocked"
"What can 1 doP" the girl asked
again. "Is there any inn here, OF must
take the next train back to the near
est town."
"The last trains gone an hour; there
aint no inn in the countryside save
publics" this from the porter.
"You must let me arrange this
matter for you,' said Hugh Lambert.
Il think | must be speaking to Mrs.
Newton's niece, Miss Nayton?"
"Y.ou have guessed rightly" and
Dorothy Nayton looked up eagerly, de-
lighted to find some one to whom she
was known, if only by name.
She was bright little body, pleas
ant-looking, though she could not lay
claim to great beauty brunette with
clear olive complexion, dark eyes, and
straight nose. She had crossed from
her home that afternoon, she told her
new acquaintance; and so of course
her aunt might not have expected her
to arrive so early.
"You must let me take care of you, /"
Lambert said. "My place is close by.
| will take you there, and send mes
sage to your aunt as soon as possible to
let her know that you are safe"
Just at that minute horse was
heard galloping up the dark road, and
presently man came hurrying into
the station.
"Is there young lady here for
Priarton ?" he asked.
Dorothy went forward eagerly.
"If you please, miss, here's note
from Mrs. Newton. I've been four
hours getting here; l had to ride
twelve miles round, for the road is
blocked and the floods are out l had
to get boat at the low meadows, and
borrow another horse on this side; and
this has delayed me in getting here"
Hardly waiting to listen to this long
explanation from the cid eoachman
Dorothy tore open the note and read: