Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-04-24

!. = -. y u ----.--
hurt maybe killed." and waiting to
hear no more rushed forward
It took me but moment to reach the
scene Of the disaster Three passenger
cars were lying upturned at the foot OF a
twenty feet embankment. Some of the
passengers were seriously injured, but
all had been removed to desolate look
ing tavern or "ordinary" near by.
Filled with apprehension l hurried
thither. It was crowded place. but
among the excited women 1 soon discov-
cred Mrs. Taliaferro. Alice, alas, was
nowhere to be seen.
"Where is she?'' I demanded OF the
mother, almost sayagely clutching her
arm.
"Oh, Mr.. Lewellyn! You here! How
you startled me! She is in there" she
answered hurriedly between her soDs;
sshurt, but hope not seriously"
"Can you take me to her?'' l asked.
"Come with me-" she replied, leading
the way to dimly lighted room, IN
which were q number of extemporlzed
beds containing persons injured or hyster-
ically frightened. Guided by anxious
solicitude my eyes were quick to discover
her whom I sought. Her luxuriant dark
tresses lay in disheveled confusion about
her pillow, while coverlid was drawn
about her, concealing all save her eyes
and forehead. Verify, thought I, the
eyes of love can pierce even the darkness
in searching out their object.
Disdaining all conventionalities l has
tened to her side and, kneeling there,
poured out food of endearing epithets.
Her eyes were closed, but smile, inetfa-
bly sweet, illumlned her features in an
swer to my words of love and sympathy.
"Speak to me, dearest, If you can but
saw one word. You are all the world to
me-" implored
"Dear Robert" she whispered softly
Did I hear Alright? Could I believe
nv ears? Was it Robert she said? Yes,
there was no installing it. It was Rob-
bert Carroll she was dreaming, whose
rivalry feared at Saratoga. Her face
had Ightened up with heavenly smile
because she thought it was he who was
pouring words of love into her ears. MY
dream was over-my heart was rent IN
Irvine. I staggered away from that
couch as though I had been dealt NOR
tai blow. There was no installing the
terrible dismal fact that my love had
been misdirected-tha the heart hao
sought was another's.
"She will recover" said I with enforced
calmness, as passed out, in answer t.
the inquiring eyes of her mother. Sh'
motioned me to stay, but I feigned no
to understand her and fastened out int
the darkness.
Through the rest of the night I pacet
back and forth under the dreary pines
and when northern bound train arrived
at daylight hopelessly threw myself int
it and pursued my journey homeward.
I took the direct line to my home, ant
when entered my Office and glancet
into my dusty mirror I saw there fac
thin, haggard, and begrimed. and L de
tected traces of gray in my hair.
Mechanically I ran through my &C
cumulated mail, feeling no interest il
anything, when suddenly, with a start
I came across letter in well-know
hand of her who was now lost to me for
ever. With almost funeral tenderness
broke the seal to read her words for tn
last time.
A moment later I was making my wa,
with all speed toward the station again
I purchased ticket for Baltimore, ant
boarded the same train upon which [ ha'
started just week before, SO full of hop
and enthusiasm.
And I was not the less so now, for yo1
shall look over my shoulder and read tn
dear letter, which read for the fifteenth
time during that journey. 1t said:
"You wicked, Disappointing boy I an
almost ready to cry. In fact, I have
suspicion that my eyes are now red, an
I know that am as sad and lonely as
can be. You said you were coming, an
shall I confess to being SO foolish?-
refused to go to Florida with MANN
and sister, because I might disappoin
; you-and myself"
That is enough of the letter for you t
see, my reader, and lit is quite enough t
make a new man of me and send me O.
, on the run for the next Baltimore trair
It is six years since the occurrence
[ the foregoing events and my wife, hay
: ing tucked her .wo cherub boys in the
cribs for the night, is now looking owe
the leaves of this manuscript. Glancin
up suddenly she exclaims:
"Why Ralph Lewellyn, never hear
about your running all over the countr
after Winifred, and declaring love to her.
'sOf course you did not, my deal Alic
nor did any one else, but it was tru