The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17

| the DOIUOm Oh THIS move bingham Walkel
| with Mollie, who looked as fresh as tn
rose in her little hat, and bluShed as pref
| tily. But then it was not pleasant sigh
4 for Tom, and he went on in a rage, Leaving
| Aunt Slap Derrick and her bundles T.
| Bingham, also. Mrs. Slap Derrick was no
the woman to bate one jOt of her claim
| for the prettiest girl in the world. Bingham
was fully occupied with her; and mean
| time MOllie found that she had left her bal
| in the waiting room, and sprang out Il
! fetch it.
How in an instant. from careless ease anC
| security, we sometimes find ourselves hang
ing between life and death, Mollie die
not find the bag at once and she was de
termined not TO lose it, as it held her watcl
and chain. She was gone, she thought, bu
a moment, and the train was in motion AND
her mother and Mrs Slap Derrick scream
ing for her as she stepped on the platform
1t was all in an instant. One moment shf
was trying for foothold on the steps. tins
next she was being dragged by the train
clinging desperately to the railing of the
car platform, sure of going under the
wheels if she relaxed her hold, and SURE
of going under, in any event, a little
further on. A woman had been cut ,tC
pieces there two weeks before. She had
time to remember that. She saw the white
shocked faces of men looking down AT her;
Bingham, who had made his way to the
door, among the rest, and wondered why
they did not help her. She seemed to have
dragged there for an eternity, yet it was
but an instant, when somebody clasped her
about the waist; somebody, painting and
breathing hard, ran desperately with the
train, Stacking its speed now as her peril
was discovered; helping hands were held
ont; somebody held her up, stunned and
dizzy; Mollie stood III the door; the little
knot of men made way for her, and Mrs.
Slap Derrick, who had seen it all, seized
her hands.
My poor child! my dear child" cried
Mrs Slap Derrick. 80, Mrs. Miller!
thank God that she is safe,''
Mrs. Miller. calmly tying up q parcel,
looked up in surprise, thus pathetically ad-
iured.
Safe! Good Lord! what has been the
matCer?"
Are you hurt!" exclaimed Bingham
busting up. Il was 50 frightened, MIS-
MOllie.''
Hurt, frightened" Mrs. Miller began to
grow hysterical. Everybody talked to-
gether. MOllie leaned back, every nerve
Earring to that dreadful. remroSelesS
rhythm to which she had been dragged.
She was not even curious to know VINO was
her preServer. She was in sort of mental
swOOn when Mrs. Miller asked who had
saved her.
"a brakeman. was it I+ot:'' she said,
family, and looking at Bingham. You
saw. l should like to find him and give
him something"
II am not sure,'' answered Bingham,
hesitating, for he had seen Tom. perfectly
He wore wide hat; very like brake
man as you say"
What is that?' cried Mrs. Slap Derrick,
sharply. "You do not know, Bingham! 1
should think you might; l saw aim dis
tinctly, over your shoulder 1t was Tom
Du Coeuri Miss Mollie, if you like to know"
Il did not know. l was so shocked. l
was trying to get to MOllie, myself"
muttored Bingham, greatly abashed under
that formidable look of his aunt's, which
Tom called her, ''rhinoceros expression"
Mr.. Du C9ur," repeated Nollie, blush
ing brightly. She could not tell why, but
she was glad that it was Tom. 20, Mrs
Slap Derrick where is he. Why does he
not come heTe! [ want to thank him.
Where has he gomez"
HE has bad habit of modesty," an
ewered Mrs Slap Derrick, dryiy, which
was very true. Besides, Tom did not choose
that Mollie should love him, if she ever
loved him, out of gratitude. and lac hid him
self purpoSely; and when MOllie found him
out and seized him, he attained between
vexation and shyness, to the very sublimity
of awkwardnesS, and actually told the
that he loved, when she was thank
ing him for her life, with all her soul in her
eyes, that: ut was nothing. He would
have done 1t for any one.n
Really, you are too flatteringI" Mollie
could not help but pOut at that; but as she
looked at him she said TO herself that he had
saved her, after all, and held out both ner
hands to him.
If you do not care, have reason to do
So" she said, earnestly, land thank YOU
for it with all my heart. You snatched me
from = dreadful death. Those men stood
staring al me, and you alone knew what 20
1n | will a ly1-a THANH I
always be your grateful friend, Mr.. Du
COeur"
Tom turned very pale.
You have no reason to thank me-" he
said, holding her hands tight If the
wheels had gone over You, l would have
thrown myself there"
And now who knows what would have
happened next, but just then Tom found
Mrs. Miller at his elbow.
We shall always be grateful, Mr. Du
CGur," commenced that lady, and broke
down. She was hysterical nov whenever
Mollie>s danger was mentioned.
we are all grateful" put in Bingham.
smoothly. You are sure it was you, Tom!
Aunt Slap Derrick says SO: but her sight is
none of the best. | thought that it was a
brakeman"
Indeed, interposed Mollie, lit was Mr..
Du CPur. know it now" And then she
Olushed scarlet. She had grown suddenly
VI Du AND L do
not know how to thank him enough" she
bravely.
Shall l tell you how to thank me!,
whispered Tom, suddenly, forgetting his
inc theories about not owing love to graft
Jude. Tell me, if you can with truth that
you are willing to owe me such debit
Il am willing murmured Mollie very
softly after moments hesitation.
Tom went to bed that night in a glow of
He forgot that haunting demon
If hiS-his luck. Though he had not had an
opportunity for another word, Mollie's
ook spoke more than many words But
his triumph was ShOrt-lived. Mollie had
aiken fright and retreated behind her in
She was hardly to be seen
and not to be spoken with alone She was
not angry. When she did lift her eyes to
ais they were kind eyes, though very shy.
But then she would hardly look at him.
Some gulf had suddenly yawned between
hem; and though she was merry and
friendly with everyone else, she kept him
on u walking tour, and
ho!lie would not even give him her hand
when they crossed the brooks and was
mum whenever he approached. And Tom
who knew nothing about women, fell be-
lind, full of wrath and CONSERVATION to
1our his complaints in Dayton's ear.
Il believe she hates me for saving her
life, he said, deSpairingly. Before, she
vas civil; now she won't look at me.''
1T strikes me that is not bad symptom"
aid Dayton, smiling, though we shall
hardly be able TO discuss the question, for
lere she comes after u.s."
''Heren' Tom turned sharply, and Mollie,
Who was close behind him, looked greatly
liSconcerted
Mamma sent me-" she explained. eve
nave found a house-such a strange place
md there is man in it alone and so i'll
Mamma said, Mr. Du COeur, that you were
/ doctor, and would know what was the
natter and came because Mrs. Slap Der
lick was afraid to let Mr.. Bingham leave
her,"
''She is afraid lest should misconstrue
wen this small favor" thought Tom,
bitterly. 'She wishes me to know that she
anne because she could not help herself"