The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20


Voice and speaker were familiar to the
woman who stood in the doorway, both
hands pressed to her painting breast. The
words came only too distinctly TO her
quickened Senses Then her premonitions
were true, and Tom-Tom was on that fated
train. Again her body reeled, but her
steady brain saved her.
''Sior the train! The bridge is gone!"
she cried.
Both men looked up, startled at the
words. With the prompt movement of
man trained TO obey orders, the agent
leaped to his instrument; the other man,
slower to comprehend, came forward, the
look OF amazement on his face, as he
viewed the singular apparition in the door
MS he recognized the speaker. What an
eccentric, impetuous girl Kate Mitchell
always was, and what a life she must lead
Tom Middleton
"This is quite an unexpected pleasure,
Mrs. Middleton" he said smiling.
She waved him back with single i'm
perious gesture. There was brief silence.
The operator listened intently, with his
head resting on his hand. Kate Middle
ton remained standing in the doorway, her
dread and her soul absorbed in listening
Jack Spencer, slowly comprehending the
meaning OF the scene, waited, his interest
growing with every moments delay.
A last it came, the monotonous click,
click, conveying its portentous message
in q language unknown 10 two OF tho
three listeners. The operator arose from
his chair.
"Just in time. The train was pulling
out OF the station, but they stopped her.
Kate Middleton clutched at the door
way. For the first time in her life her
head gave way. She was again on the
swaying sycamore, and the limb was
cracking, breaking, going down. She felt
the water on her face and opened her eyes,
to find Jack Spencer supporting her head,
and the station agent pouring ice-cold
water over her
"She'll be all right in q minute" said
Jack, cheerfully. Now, Mrs. Middleton,
with your permission, I'll see you home"
She borrowed hat and cloak from the
station agents wife. Jim brought up the
horses. Jack Spencer handed her into the
wagon with grave courtesy and they drove
of. Some Of the loungers, dimly under
standing what she had done, looked on
curiously. That was all. No fuss, no
formal tributes, no speech-making even
from the two who understood. There was
no deputation OF strong men TO tender her
public tribute in voices shaken by sobs.
Contrary TO all tradition and unlike any
hero or heroine who ever saved train
IRON wreck, she was on the wrong side Of
the bridge, and the people most deeply
concerned were nine miles away.
She had little TO say on the ride home
ward, although Jack Spencer was attentive
and talkatiye, and tried, as hard rs n man
could, TO show his appreciation OF her
brave decd. Perhaps she was embar-
raised in the consciousness OF her odd at
/ tire, and the curious looks cast upon her
as she rode through the village. Perhaps
/ she was secretly ashamed OF her mad race,
and of the exceptional, unwomanly physi-
cal proves that had made II possible not
/ outstanding the fact that Il had saved
many lives. She did not even invite Jack
20 come in when she reached her own
door, but descended from the wagon with
great dignity, and only relaxed n little
when Jack said, very earnestly:
~ shall never underaic the value OF
| physical training for woman again, Mrs.
Middleton. Some day shall beg 20 put
my little daughter under your tutclagc. v
| Which was great concession for Jack,
whose little daughter was the apple OF his
eve, and whom he had hitherto only
looked forward 20 making an accomplished
woman, Of elegant manners.
Neither honor nor praise awaited Kate
i'm her own home. Bridget scoldcd her,
and put her TO bed, and declared that she
"wud surely catch her death n cold, an
deserved II well" end tried 10 save her
from the consequences OF her misdcods nj
the same time. OF tho children, Harry
stubbornly resented her base desertion Of
them on the bank Of the raging stream,
and Marian, with her mothers spirit Of
adventure strong upon her, terrified the
household by ayowing her intention OF
going across the water on tree the iirsi
time she could escape parental authority.
The mother had her reward, ncyertho'
less. Late that night, when the children
were asleep and Bridget had relaxed guard,
Kate escaped from bed, aud donning Q
wrapper and shawl, laid herself down upon
the lounge before the open fire, 10 enjoy
scanning the daily paper. The rain fell
steadily without, NO steadily that the sound
of a horses hoofs coming up the solder
driveway wasscarccly distinguishable from
! inc pattcf ol lilt IAlnhioliTs hdl' hANN'N
up as she heard step outside the door
another moment and Tom was before her
looking very solemn, like newly mate
rallied ghost.
toni" she cried sharply, and then sh'
seemed 10 cover before him; yet not beion
him, but thohcrror Of thcaitcnoon, whicl
again descended upon her and took posses
sion OF her. Tom, her husband, nigh
have been one OF that grizzly throng o
manglcd, crushed, dead and dying phan
toms Of the might-haye-been, ever tortur
ing her mental vision. She pressed he
hands over her eyes, as II they might ba
out the sight
"0h, you ought not; you should neye
do such thing" she said.
: After all, she had nerves, and they has
been sorely tried that day.
"What do YOU mcan2' gravely dc
, manded Tom. This was indeed a sorr.
! greeting, after all he had been through.
| "You shouldn't have come home In thi
] unexpected way; you should let pcopl
know when you are coming"
, "Kate," said Tom, solemnly, seaiin
himself on the sofa and drawing her dow
} beside him, "you will speak different
| when you know how near | came 10 no
] coming home at oil; have Travelled lively
r miles on horseback over rough mountain
! road 10 get here tonight. We were ju'
, starting out OF Prcscita when we were not
fed that the bridge three miles below thcr
4 six miles above here, kate-had bee
g carried away"
q allow aid YOU find oul?n Kate was hcl
| tVL Ia