Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-12
TO SETTLE A QUARREL.
Story Of a Distracted Lover Hop
ing for Happy Results.

The train was late and the engineer
was evidently trying to make up time.
Ronald McAllister turned his face for
the twentieth time to the darkened pane
by his side and stared into the black
ness. Now and then the shadowy
form of some object showed for a mo-
ment as the car whirled along over the
rails, and an occasional house dotted
the gloom with its CHEEKY lights
But, If the truth be told, Ronald's
mind was not occupied by these feeting
visions of the outer world. The glass
acted as mirror, and he could look as
long and eagerly as he liked at the re-
Election of dainty figure in an opposite
seat.
Rather grave eyes, a saucy nose,
sweet, tired mouth, rebellious whisps
of soft brown hair straying down under
a stylish but plain hat; a slight, pretty
figure in a simple brown travelling suit,
with weary droop that appealed to
the strong young fellow and made him
rebel fercely against the social conven-
tionalities which rose like an icy bar
rier between the two travelers-this is
what McAllister saw in the glass.
He had been able to perform one or
two slight services for the girl-had
raised her window, and brought glass
of water; had heard her gentle Thank
you, sir; you are very kind;' and had
caught sight of her ticket, thus learn
ing that her destination was only one
station beyond his home, to which he
~ h.--1 l,7cinnCc
| trip.
Their eyes had met so frequently,
after this, that she had flushed, and he
had been ashamed to look in her direc-
ton, lest she should think him a boor,
anxious to scrape railway acquaint-
ance" with the first pretty girl he met.
The tired head under the brown hat
dropped until it rested on the back of
the seat. where it swayed helplessly.
The train rushed onward through the
night faster and faster, until the car
fairly rocked as it few around curves
and over resounding bridges.
Must get into the siding at Moore
vile before No. 10 freight comes in"
Ronald heard the conductor say to the
brakeman as he passed out of the car
Faster-faster. Ronald idly counted
the rails and glanced at the second
hand Of his watch. Could it be possible?
Forty-five miles an hourl
Now, fifty; and look-sixty-a mile
minutel
The tired girl could not rest in her
cramped position, and, raising her head,
glanced at Ronald with a quivering
ghost of a smile.
He started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her, when
crash
An uproar of shrieBs and frightful
cries, a rending of solid walls and
beams, a dizzying, swaying lurch, a
fierce hiss of steam-then absolute rest
from motion
Ronald raised his hand and pushed
away something which was lying on
his face and smothering him in the
darkness 1t was the warm, lifcless
body of man who a moment before
had been telling a funny story to
comrade in the smoling-car, thirty feet
away.
The smoker and passenger were one
car now. In railroad parlance they had
''telescoped."
As ifin a dream McAllister raised
himself up, groaned q little over a
bruised ankle or something of the
kind, and slowly made his way, limp
ing, out of the wreck.
A man near by raised a lantern.
Good for you, The said, in husky
tone. you've got one of them out al
ready, haven't you?"
And Ronald looked down, and, COM
ing gradually to his senses, realized
that he was bearing something in his
arms-something warm and human-a
living woman.
The light of the lantern fell on her
face and her brown dress. Yes, he was
not mistaken. Out of that awful chaos,
which was even now ringing with the
shrieks of the wounded and dying, he
had brought her.
He looked down into her face.
Thank Godr' he said. Then added
reverently: "He has given her to me-"
VERY well, sir; if that is the way in
which you regard my happiness you can
leave me"
ana never return! III do SOL
Ronald McAllister and Ruth Jarvis
glared at each other across the little
handicapped table and uttered these
singing words, their cheeks burning
and eyes sparkling with anger, Just
eight months after they had met on
that fearful night when No. 10 freight
and the might Owl" express had col
hded on the S. P. & c. railroad.
1t was but slight matter, the be-
ginning of this quarrel-a hasty word
about a partner in a dance, bit of
childish jealousy, angry tones, harsh in
functions, bitter retorts, and there they
stood, engaged to be married on the
next New Years day, but drifting
leagues apart every moment
1t was a sultry July evening, and
when Ronald dashed out of the house
the northern sky showed no stars, only
lightning flashes cutting with jagged
gashes through heavy piles Of cloud that
were mounting rapidly.
''Never-neverl" he muttered, as he
strobe along and barred his hot brow to
the pelting drops of rain
"Never!" she said, sadly, as she list
ened to his retreating footsteps 81
was disappointed in him We can
never be united again"
And the wind blew and beat upon
that house.
Ruth Jarvis felt that her heart was
breaking, not because her lover was
gone. hflf hnca,sro she felt that eha