Telegram-herald., 1891-02-18
TO SETIAa A QUARREL.
Story OF e Distracted Lover Hop
ing FOR Happy Results


The train was late and the engineer
was evidently trying 10 make up time.
Ronald McAllister turned his face for
the twentieth time - the darkened pane
by his side and stared into the black
ness Now aaa then the shadowy
form OF some object showed for a mo-
Inent as the car whiried along over the
rails. aud an occasional house dotted
the gloom with It's CHEEKY lights
But, il the truth be told, Gonald's
mind was not occupied 10y these heeting
visions of the outer world. The glass
acted rs a mirror. and he could look as
long aad eagerly as he liked 1T the re-
feetion of dainty figure ia an opposite
seat.
Rather grave eyes, a saucy nose, .
sweet. tired mouth, rebcllious whisps
of soft brown hair straying down under
a stylish but plain hat: slight. pretty
figure in simple brown travelling suit,
with weary droop that appealed to
the strong young fellow and made him
rebel f.ercely against the social conven-
tionalities which rose like an icy bar
ricr between the two travelcrs-this Is
what McAlister saw in the glass.
He had been able 10 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" aud had
caugh, sight of her ticket, thus learn
ing that her destination was only one
station beyond his home, 10 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 hir, a boor.
anxious TO scrape railway acquaint-
ance" with the irst 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-ive miles an hour.
Now, City; and look-sixty-a mile a
minute!.
The tired girl could not rest in her
! cramped position, anG, raising her head,
| glanced 1t Ronald with q quivering
ghost of smile.
He started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her, when
crash
An uproar of shriciSs and frightful
cries. rending of solid walls and
beams. dizzying, swaying lurch, a
| fierce hiss of steam-then absolute rest
from motion.
Ronald raised his hand ald pushed
away something which was lying on
his face and sEnothering him in the
darkness. II was the warm, lifelcss
body of man who moment before
had been telling n funny story TO a
comrade in the smoling-car, thirty feet
away.
The smoker and passenger were one
car now. In railroad parlance they had
''tclescopcd."
As II IN dream McAllist.r raised
/ himself mp, groaned a 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 a husky
| Nff II
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 humau-z
living woman
The light Of the lantern fell on heI
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 addet
reverently: HE has given her to me-
every well. sir; il that is the way il
which you regard my happiness you car
leave me-"
"And never return? III do sou
Ronald McAllistcr and Ruth Jarvi,
glared at each other across the little
handicapped table and uttered thess
singing words. their cheeks burning
and eyes sparkling with anger. Jus
eight months after tlacy had met or
that fearful night when No. 10 freigh
and the Night OWL express had col
lided on the s. r A C. railroad
IL was bat slight matter. the be
ginning of this quarrel-a hasty wort
about partner in a dance, bit o.
childish jealousy, azETy tones. harsh in