The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-04-17
TO SETTLE A QUARREL.
Story of a Distracted Lover Hop
ing for Happy Results

was evidently Jrging to make mp time.
Ronald McAi6Ster turned has face for
the twentieth time to the dar3lened pane
by his side and stared into this black
ness. Now and then the sha@Owy
form of some object showed for a mo-
mcnt as the,eEr whirled along over the
rails, and AN occasional house dotted
the gloom with its cheery lights
Bnt, If the truth be told. Ronald's
mind was not occupied by these fieeting
visions Of! the outer world. The glass
acted as a-nirror, and he could look as
long and eagerly as he liked al the re
fection of - dainty figure in. an opposite
scat.
Rather grave eyes, a s:'rIcy nose;'a
sweet, tired mouth. rcbcliienls whisps
uf soft brown hair stravinlHf-ov-n undes
4 stylish but plain hat; "a slight. pretty
figure In simple brown -naVeling snit-
with - D-eary droop that appealed 20
the stToug young fcllow-siBd Il made him
rebel fiC rcely against the social convr n
tionaGtes which rose like an icy bar
ricr between the two trsIvelsrs-this is
what Nchllister saw IN .thc glass
Ite-nSd been able 10 perform one or
two ~ ght services for ,i51e girl-had
riissd-ner window, apdsurouSht glass
I'll ~ silf-I- ltsihl Ats4AAl ilSs AIsAhh
you. sir: YOU are very kind" and had
caugll sight of her ticket. thus -learn-
ing. that her destination was only one
statioz beyond his homo, to which he
was returning after n hard business
trip.
,Et,ir eyes had ntI 50 frequently,
uftcr this. that She had flushed. and he
hal been ashamed L. look in hrT direc-
II Ii. L
anxious To Scrape a --rsilIvly ,I'sg uaint-
unce with the first pretty girl he met
Pie tired head under the brown hat
aruppcd until it rested on the hack of
.ihl. .--at. where il s1ayed helplcsSly.
EL,s train rushed onward thrtqlgh the
n 8iI faster and faster, until .ahe car
fairly rocked as it flew around curves
and over rcsounding bridges.
'-1Aiust get into the sldHrg at Moore
vile before No. 10 freight comes in. "
ROra ID heard the conductor ssv to the
brakeman as he passed out OF he car.
.Eastcr-faSter. Eonald idly counted
the-railS and glanced at the second
hanc of his watch. COnld it be possible?
Forty-Gve miles an hopr,
NUS, fifty; and look-siSty--.a mile u
1Dinlfrr,
Tho tired girl could mot rest in her
cran7 ed position. and. raising her head,
GLANCED at Ronald with a quivering
ghost Of smile.
lie started to his feet, was in the
aiBe moving toward her, when
crash
An yeproar of shriclSs and frightfnl
cries, ~ rcnding of solid walls and
bcams Il dizZying. swaying lurch. 4
! fierce hiss of steam-theD absolute rest
from potion.
Ruu9ld raised his hand unti pushed
away something which was living on
his tacc and smotheriDE him in the
darkness 1t was the warm. iiifclcSs
body uf a man who a moment before
had been telling Il funny story to.a
comradc.. in the smol1ing-car. thirty feet
away
The smoker and passenger were one
car now. In railroad parlance they bad
-.telcscoped
As if IN "a dream NcAnistcr -raisetl
himself up, groancd "A little over Il
bruised ankle or something of the
kind. and slowly made his way, limp
ing. ont Of the wreck.
\ man pear by raised lantern.
Good for You, he said. in husky
tone. --NC.,;Ve got one of them out al
ready. haven't vou?"
And Ronald looked down. and. com
ing gradually 10 his senses realized
that he was bearing something in his
arms-something warm and humap-a
living woman.
The light of the lantern fell ON her
lace and her brown dress. Yes, he was
not mistaken Out of that awful chaos.
(which was even now ringing with the
sShrieks of the woupded and dying. he
bad brought her
He looked down into her face.
Thank Godr- he said. Then added
resercntly: He mas given her to me. =
Very well, sir; if that is the way in
yFhics you regard my happiness you can
leave me
"And never returBP 1'u-lo sor'
Ronald McAllistcr and Ruth Jnrvis
glared at each other across the little
marble-topped table and uttered these
stinging words. their cheeks burn;nr,
and eyes sparkling with anger, lust
eight mapshs after thsy had met on
that fearful night when No. 10 freight
and the Night Owl" express had col
lided ON the ;. T.. e C. railroad.
IL was but a slight matter. the be-
ginning Of this quarrel-a hasty word
about partner in dance. hit of
childish Jealousy angry tones. harsh in
functions. bitter retortS, and there they
stood, engaged TO De married ON the
next New Years day, but drifting
leagues apart every moment
IL was sultry July evening, and
when Ronald dashed out of the house
the northern sky showed no stars. only
Hfrhfnfngr
glshes through heavy piles Of cloud that
were mounting rapidly.
''Never-neycr.'' he muttcred. as he
strobe along and barred his hot brow TO
the pelting drops of rain.
Meyer she said. sadly. as she list
ened TO his retreating footsteps. II
was disappointed in him. We can
never be- united again.
And the wind blew and beat upon