Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1891-02-19
TO SETTLE A QUARREL
Story Of Distracted Lover Hop
ing for Happy Results.

ing lOT aLppy GeoSLuCo.
The train was late and the engineer
was evidently trying to make up time
Ronald McAllistcr 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 u mo-
ment as the car whirlcd 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 tleeting
visions of the outer world The glass
acted as mirror, and he could look as
long and eagerly as he liked at the re-
Election of 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 a simple brown travelling suit,
with weary droop that appealed to
the strong young fellow and made him
rebel 6ercely 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 glass
of water; had heard her gentle Thank
you, sir; you arc 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 4 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 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--fastcr Ronald idly counted
the rails and glanced at the second
hand of his watch. Could it be possible?
Forty-live miles an houri
Now. City; and lools--sixty-a mile a
minute!
The tired girl could not rest in her
cramped position. and raising her head
glanced at Ronald with quivering
ghost OF a smile.
lie started to his feet, was in the
aisle moving toward her. when
cr;ishi
An uproar of shrieks and frightful
cries. rcndng of solid walls and
beams, dzzying, swaying lurch, a
fierce hiss of stcam--thcn absolute rest
from motion.
Ronald raised his hand and pushed
away something which was lying on
his face and sinothcring him in the
darkness. 1t was the warm, lifeless
body of a man who a moment before
had been telling funny story to a
comradc in the snolling-car. thirty feet
away
The smoker and passenger were one
car now In railroad parlancc they had
''telescoped."
AS if in a dream McAllister raised
himself up. groaned 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 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
arms-something warm and HUMANE
living woman
The light of the lantern fell on he,
face and her brown dress. Yes, he was
not mistaken. Out of that awful chaos
which was even now ringing with thu
shrieks of the wounded and dying, hi
had brought her.
He looked down into her face.
''Thank Godr' he said. Then addee
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 mo-
Sand never return? I'll do so!'
Ronald McAllister and Ruth Jarvis
glared at each other across the littl,
handicapped table and uttered thes,
singing words, their cheeks burning
and eyes sparkling with anger, jus
eight months after they had met OF
thatfearful night when No. 10 freigh
and the ''Night OWL express had col
lided on the S. P. & c. railroad.
It was but slight matter, the be
ginning of this quarrel-a hasty wore
about partner in a dance, bit o
childish jealousy, angry tones, harsh in
functions. bitter retorts, and there they
stood, engaged to be married on thu
next New Years day, but drifting
leagues apart every moment.
It was sultry July evening, ant
when Ronald dashed out of the hous.
the northern sky showed no stars, onl,
lightning flashes cutting with jagged