South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1883-10-19
A LUCKY SLIP.

n
cold February night; the rain hSd
been pouring down steadily for sever.
al days. one could hardly imagine a
more bleak desolatc station than Elm
wood on that night. with one lamp
making darkness visible, the platform
an inch deep in rain, and sleepy sta
tion-master and porter giving the on
ly indication of lie.
Mr.. Hugh Lambert, as he got out
of the train and went to look after his
luggage, felt very thankful that he
had only milo 10 drive before reach.
ing home. lie was man OF about;
forty, old for his years, and slightly
gray; in figure be was tall and well
made, and his face had an expression
of cleverness.
AS rule, few passengers alightei
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 a little as to
where they could be going, when he
heard the girl ask the station master
it there was a carriage waiting from
Mrs. Newton, of Priarton
why, the road has bin blocked
since six o'clock miss. There's BIN q
big land clip, and they're working al
night to &c, it cleared I don't thiul,
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. Is
there 10 other road to get To Pri-
arton?'
Hugh Lambert was listening with
live interest. Mrs. New ton WAS lis
nearest neighbor, and great friend
OF his; this must be her neice, OF
whom he had often heard. lie ap.
preached the lady and raised lis hat
,ourteously.
Il am sorry 10 say there is no other
road to priarton, nor is there any way
of getting there tonight. | heard oil
the land slide only abont an hour ago,
and know that the road is completely
blocked
What can | do?' the girl asked a
gain. Is there ~ inn here, or must
| take the next train back 20 Tie near
est tpwu?'
The last train gone an hoar; and
there amt no ian IN the country side
save puGhc'-this from the porter
You must let NE arrange this mat
ter for you said Hugh Lambert 4
think must be spcu~ing TO Mrs. New
tons niece, Miss Naytonp
You have guessed rightly And
Dorthy Nayton looked Up eagerly, de-
lighted to find some one to whom she
was hnown, if only by name,
She WAS bright Little boly, pleas.
ant looking, though she could not lay
claim TO great beauty brunette,
with clear, olive complexion, dark
eyes and u straight nose She had
crossed from Ircian that afternoon
she told her new acquaintance end
50, OF course, her aunt might NOT have
expected her to arrive SO early.
You must let me take care OF you,
Lambert said. NY place is close by ;
| viii take you there, and zen = mes.
5cngcr to your aunt - soon a. pJssi>
bic, to Let her know that yoa are
safe
Just at that minute a horse was
heard galloping up tue dark road, and
presently man cImc huiry!ng into
the station.
is there a Young lady hero for Pd,
artoil,' he asked,
Dorthy went forward eagerly.
Ii you please, miss, Lere's a note
from Mrs. Newton. I've been lour
hours getting here | had to ride u
miles around, for the roads blocked,
and the floods arc out | had to get
u boat ut the low meadows, and bor-
row another horse on this side, aud
that has delayed me in getting here
Hardly waiting TO listen to this long
explanation from the old coachman,
Dorthy tore open The note, and read !:
My Dearest Child Il am in great
distress. The road between here and
the Station has been blocked hy =
tremendous land slip, so it is impossi-
bic 10 send the carnage TO meet voa.
| have. therefore, forwarded note to
my great friend, High Lambert. ask.
ing him to send for you and give YOU
and your maid shelter for tie night.
till we see what ia to be done lie ia
the only neighDOr on that eide Of the
land slip, and Is 40 charming that you
need not mind going ohim; it is, in
deed, the only thing o be done.
In great haste, your loving aunt,
MARY NEWTON
The ooachran had also given Hugh
Lambert n note
i was 10 have LETT it beyton, sir,
he said; but ! heard you were COM
ing by this train.
Lambert glanccI At The contents,
and then turned to Dorihy.
Your aunt has kindly trusted you
- Fsan