The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-02-19
TO SETTLE A QUARREL.
Story of a Distracted Lover Hop
ing for Happy Results.


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 mo-
nept as the car whirled along over the
rails, and an occasional house dotted
tLe gloom with its CHEEKY lights.
But, if the truth be told, Ronafd's
mind was not occupied by these fleeting
visions of the outer world The glass
acted as mirror, and he could look as
long and eagerly as he liked at the re-
lection of a dainty figure in an opposite
seat.
Rather grave eyes, saucy nose,
sweet, tired mouth, rebellious whisps
Of soft brown hair straying down under
a stylish but plain hat; a slight, pretty
figure in simple brown travelling suit,
with a weary droop that appealed to
the strong young fellow and made him
rebel fiercely against the social conven-
which rose like an icy bar
rier between the two travelers-this is
" lldl AlCAlllSISI SdN Ill CllS
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
,f@ o,,l
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 flew 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 hour!
Now, fifty; and look-sixty-a mile a
minute!
The tired girl could not rest in her
cramped position, and, raising her head,
glanced at Ronald with a quivering
ghost of smile.
He started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her, when
crash!
An uproar of shrieks 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, lifeless
body of man who a moment before
had been telling a funny story to g
comrade in the smoking-car, thirty feet
away.
The smoker and passenger were one
car now In railroad parlance they hac
'telescoped.'
As if in a dream McAllister raised
himself up, groaned a little over {
kind, and slowly made his way, limp
ing, out of the wreck.
A man near by raised a lantern.
Good for you, he said, in a 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 hi:
arms-something warm and humans
living woman.
The light of the lantern fell on he1
face and her brown dress. Yes, he wa!
not mistaken. Out of that awful chaos
which was even now ringing with thu
shrieks of the wounded and dying, h,
had brought her.
He looked down into her face.
THANK God.'' he said. Then added
reverently: 'He has given her to me.
Every we'll, sir; if that is the way il
which you regard my happiness you cal
leave me-"
And never return? I'll do so.''
Ronald McAllister and Ruth Jarvis
glared at each other across the littl.
handicapped table and uttered these
singing words, their checks burning
and eyes sparkling with anger, JUS
eight months after they had met OF
that fearful night when No. 10 freigh
nnd the Might OWL express had col
1ided on the S. P. & c. railroad.
1t was but slight matter, the be
ginning of this quarrel-a hasty wore
about a partner in a dance, a bit O
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, ant
when Ronald dashed out of the hous,
the northern sky showed no stars, onl,
lightning flashes cutting with jagge,
gashes through heavy piles of cloud tina
were mounting rapidly.
"Never-never!' he muttered, as h
strobe along and barred his hot brow t.
the pelting drops of rain.
"Never!" she said, sadly, as she list
ened to his retreating footsteps. g
was disappointed in him. We cal
never be united again
And the wind blew and beat upo1
that house.
Ruth Jarvis felt that her heart wa
breaking, not because her lover wa
gone, but because she felt that sh
ought not long for his return. He wa
unworthy of her love.