Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-03-05
TO SETTLE A QUARREL.
Story Of o Distracted Lover Hop.
ing fer 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 ind stared into the black
ness. Now and then the shadowy
form of some object showed for 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, Ronalds
mind was not occupied by these tiecting
visions of the outer world The glass
acted as a mirror. and he could look as
long and eagerly as he liked at the re-
Election of n dainty figure in an opposite
seat
Rather grave eyes, saucy nose, u
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 weary droop that appealed TO
the strong young fellow and made him
rebel fercely against the social convcn-
tionalities which rose like an icy bar
rier between the two travelers-this IL
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
was returning after a hard business
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 a 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 hclplessly.
The train rushed onward through the
night faster and faster, until the car
fairly rocked as It few around curves
| ana over TcSOuuulHh DTlupeS.
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-Gve miles AN hourl
Now, fifty; and look-sixty-a mile a
minutcl
The tired girl could not rest in her
cramped position, and, raising her head,
glanced at Ronald with a quivering
| ghost of smile.
lie started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her. when
crashl
An uproar OF shrieks and frightful
cries, q rending of solid walls and
beams, dizzying. swaying lurch, a
fierce hiss of steam-then absolute rest
from motion.
Ronald raised his hand and pushed
away something which was lying or
his face and smothering him in the
darkness, 1t was the warm, lifeless
body of a man who a moment before
had been telling funny story TO a
comrade in the smoking-car, thirty feet
away
The smoker and passenger were one
car now. In railroad parlancethe had
'telescoped," 4> r.
AS if in a dream McAllister raised
himself up, groaned little over q
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, "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 hi,
arms-something warm and humans
living woman .-N-'l3 -
The light of the lantern fell on hel
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, hi
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 il
which you regard my happiness you cal
leave me-"
"And never return? I'll do so!'
Ronald McAllister and Ruth Jarvi,
glared at each other across the LITTLE
handicapped table and uttered thest
singing words, their cheeks burning
and eyes sparkling with anger, JUS
eight months after they had met OF
that fearful night when No, 10 freigh
and the. Might OWL express had col
lided on the s. P. & G. railroad.
1t was but a slight matter, the be
ginning of this quarrel-a hasty wore
about partner in 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, anC
when Ronald dashed out of the housC
the northern sky showed no stars. onl,
IL