Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-07
GaIes anb Sketftes.
WHICH.
Continued from yesterday

questioned, with falEt elevation OF hef
pale brows.
Harris sat down deliberately.a troubled
expression on his usually jolly face.
Yes. and his friend brought bad news.
Awfuli''
what was it?'' asked Miss Lynn,
sharply.
But Just at this moment up came Vera
Halton.
1t was rather risky scheme. this one
Of Jimmie's. But he told himself he
would not 90 too tar, and that, if neces-
sary. he could later lay his assertion on
rumor.
Il don't think Max would mind my
mentioning it before two such intimate
friends,'' he continued, when he had
brought chair for Vera. I'VE were just
talking about Warren when you came up,
Miss Halton. Heard such wretched It'd
in2s this evening. Special messenger
very distressing. You know his entire
fortune was deposited in the Great South
western Electric Light association. Corpo-
ration made bad investment. Gone high
er than kite - Max's money with it.
Clean sweep. Too bad! Nice fellow.
Max"
And all the time he was delivering his
telegraphic information he was closely
watching the dainty ladies before him.
When he had finished, Vera Halton
stood up. abruptly, her delicate lips
trembling. and turning walked away with
out word.
She was sorry. sorry, sOrry-sO sorry
she dared not trust herself to speak.
Miss Lynn drew her feecy burnous
around her and leaned lack with little
SILVER.
"Ah ~ she said softly. His grand
father originally made the money in trade,
did he not? Doubtless he can make more
the same way. One can always distin-
gush the nouveaux riches by their lavish
expenditure. Mr.. Warren was always 20
reckless in this respect one would imagine
his wealth felt novel and Just a little heavy.
Do You not agree with me
But Jimmie sprang up in fine rage,
quite forgetful that he had provoked this
oulburst.
mo. DON'T" he declared decidedly.
II think crown would not feel novel, a
throne but fitting seat to such a splend id
fellow as Max Warrenr'
And Max Warren's loyal companion
marched haughtily away; while left alone
Miss Lynn bethought herself of the inter-
rupted declaration which had occurred
earlier in the evening.
"A narrow escaper' she murmured.
But there was an ache in her merce
nary breast tor all that.
But white Miss Lynn was congratulate
ing herself on her escape from an engage
ment with penniless young man, and
Vera Halton's warm little heart was grew
ing tor poor Max Warren's misfortune, and
Jimmie Harris was wondering angrly
what the mischief had ever induced him
to concoct such a story, and how he was
ever going to logically contradict himself.
fate took all the tangled threads in her
own firm fingers and unravelled them with
prompt dexterity.
And this was how it happened:
A telegram flashed over the wires to
the station. from the station to the hotel.
from the hotel to the gay crowd collected
on the beach, preparatory to embarking
for sail. From lip to lip leaped the
fragmentary terrible news. A collision
had occurred. The outgoing $50 train
had collded with the New York express.
The number of those dead and wounded
and also of those suffering from want of
proper attention. was somewhat appalling
Help was needed and that speedily.
For brief space all was confusion.
Then as though by the stroke of magic
wand. divisions formed of two distinct
masses-those who were to go forward to
action and those who were to remain and
play the less laborious roles of spec
tators.
Among the former. as the relief express
rushed out of the station, were Jimmie
Harris and Vera Halton.
In the first frantic appeal for aid. some
one had asked ITALIA Lynn to go. but
they had shrunk back dismayed from the
ghas'ly and unwomanly joke, that she
preferred beholding humanity complete to
seeing it in sections. 1t is doubtful that
she would not have been so callous were
it not Tor that which Mr.. Harris had so
lately told her.
At length the train stopped. Such a
sight as met their eyes! To the last hour
of her life Vera Halton grew weak and
cold at the bare remembrance. But just
then she set valiantly to work, like the
brave little woman she was. Many a
speeding spirit took her sweet image with
it into eternity. Many shattered frame
struggled back to life with strength re-
newed. thanks to her gentle ministry.
1t was near midnight, and a serene
moon was silvering all the landscape,
when Jimmie Harris came hurriedly up
to her.
Comet" he said. | have found Max
She was quite exhausted from her ex-
ertions but she took his arm and Went
with him.
They found Max lying by an over
turned engine. very pale and faint from
loss of blood. His head was cut. his arm
broken.
Jimmie slit his sleeve and Vera bound
the wounded limb with soft, deit fingers
And all the time he watched her with
new look in his eyes. How fair, and
sweet. and womanly she was, to be sure.
Harris was right after all. How could
he-how could he ever have been idiot
enough to ignore such a dear. modest lit.
tie thing for \ Haunting coquette like
ITALIA Lynn,
All the wounded and their nurses went
back to Saratoga by the next train.
The following day Warren's mother
Came to him. 1t was some time before he
was fully reco, cred. and then he learned
that Vera Halton had gone to Europe
| with her father.
Rnt If sha hsd vanished Harris had M,