St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1891-08-01
TO SETTLE A QUARREL.

Carrie Blake Morgan, in West Shore
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 fol
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 aid eagerly as he liked at the re.
Election of dainty figure in an opposite
seat.
hather grave eyes, saucy nose, a
sweet, tired mouth, rebellious whisps
OF soft brown hair straying down under
stylish but plain hat; slight, pretty
figure in a simple brown travelling SUI
with a weary droop that appealed to
the strong young fellow an made him
rebel fiercely 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 q glass
of water; had heard her gentle s"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
was returning after hard business
trip.
Their eyes had met so frequently,
-fter 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 (Lhes
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-fve miles an hour!
Now, fifty; and look-sixty-a mile
minute!
The tired girl could not rest in her
cramped position, and, raising her head,
glanced at Ronald with a quiyering
ghost OF a smile. NJ
He started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her, when
crashl
An uproar of shrieks and 1frightful
cries, q rending of solid walls and
beams, dizzying, swaying lurch,
fierce hiss of steam-then absolute rest
from motion.
Ronald raised his hand and pushed
sway something which was lying on
his face and smothering him in the
darkness. 1t was the warm, lifeless
body of a man who moment before
had been telling a funny story to
comrade in the smoking-car, thirty feet
away.
The smoker and passenger were one
car now. In railroad parlance they had
"telescoped."
AS if in dream McAllister raised
himself up, groaned a little over
bruised ankle or something of the
kind, and slowly made his way, limp
ing, out Of the wreck.
A man near by raised lantern.
'.Good for you, "he 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
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 dc wn into her face.
''Thank God;r 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-"
''And never return? I'll do SOP
n q r
ylared at each other across the little
handicapped table and uttered these
singing words, ts,eir cheeks burning
md eyes sparkling with anger, just
Eight months after they had met on
hat fearful night when No. 10 freight
md the Might Owl. express had col |
ided ON the S. p. & G. railroad.
It was but q slight matter, the be-
yinning Of this quarrel hasty word I
lbout partner in . dance, q bit of
'hildish jealousy, angry tones, harsh In
unetions. bitter retorts, and there they |
TODD, engaged to be married on the
lext New Years day, but drifting
eagues apart every moment.
It was a sultry July evening, and
ghen Ronald dashed out of the house
he northern sky showed no stars, only
lghtning flashes cutting with Jagged