Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-04-15

| The up-train was slgnalled. Another
minute of this folly would lose me
Clara.
took out FIVE pound note, laid it on
the seat and advanced toward him.
A herculean push, calculated, would
hurl the guard from the train, and 1
should flee along the down-liue.
To my establishment his face had
changed.
"Aud what about my trouble, sirf'
he asked, politely, gazing at the note
stopping the train and liable, sir, to
get into trouble"
l jumped out of the carriage. He
made way for me deferentlally. Our
hands touched. Great is the currency,
and it will prevail. The next minute 1
was speeding back along the down-line
toward Halstead Station. The line is
laid on exceedingly rough gravel, and
my running was not easy. Nor am |. at
any time, practiccd runner. My
breath came fast and with difficulty.
NY knees ached furiously, but ran on.
1 could hear distinctly the rumble of the
train in the tunnel behind me-the up
train. was, | reflected, running race
with the main line up: the prizc-Clara.
If the main line up won, it would bear
her away on its bosom; if won, should
II l pressed my falling legs forward
fought for freer breath-got i; in rap.
ture of relief which by experts is called,
| believe, the second wind-and the
main line up and [ came in neck and
neck. But of course | landed on the
down platform. flew up the steps and
over the pridge-I reached the up plat
form breathless, hatless, but radiant.
Clara was just getting into tirst-class
carriage.
l stumbled in after her, and sank
painting in the corner. She, seated at
the far window, did not turn her eyes on
me till the slow throb of the train be.
tokened departure. Then she looked at
her fellow traveller and blanchci. We
were alone in the carriage, and fear l
had lunltic air. Then she recognized
me, her face flushed, and she said;
"Oh-youl" with delin shtful light
ching of eyes and brow and "a dimpling
at the corner of the mouth.
81 had" exclaimed, pantiugly tito
run-to catch-the trainl"
81 suppose so," she said, leaning back
in her corner and smiling. at wasn't
very wise to give yourself so little time
to do it in. Where have you sprung
from? Have you friends down here?"
81 have sprupg," l said, beginning to
recover myself, "from the main line
down, and am subject to penalty not
exceeding f5 for availing myself of the
electric communication and stopping.
that train"
"Do you mean that you were in that
train that went through just nowl" said
Clara, looking interested.
Eyes; aud stopped it. The guard
was not at first satisfied with my reasons,
though they were of the best"
"Why did you stop it? What were
your reasons-if one may ask2'
"You may ask, though the guard did
not. stopped the train because have
been looking TO. you for four years, and
l saw you on that platform, would
have stopped tiger, or the march of
civilization, on the same grounds"
She gave me hurried glance, and
dropped her long lashes.
mopped my forehead furtively before
proceeding.
81 have been looking for you for four
years." said, "to ask you to marry me.
Dear II never have even thought of
marrying any one else, and have been
looking for you all this time" My
6ippancy, born OF nervousness, was de-
serting me. l leaned orward earnestly.
"Oh, how good 1t is to see your dear
face againp' said. This pays for all.
1t is"
"Stopw she interrupted. still looking
down. Il supp 50 you don't know [
was married three years ago to Genera
Peglar"
Married. l sank back, sick at heart
The train stopped, and copy OF the
Financial News got in, with gentleman
completely buried in it.
But, buried as he was, he was check
on conversation.
That was an awful journey-I sat up
very straight and asked questions about
RISES and the people who lived at Hal
stead, aud the prospect of the hops, and
many other things about which | did not
want to hear, aud Mrs. Peglar answered
me. And the Financial News and its
occupant sat opposite to me.
Cara grew more and more silent-I
more aud more morose. At Chariug
Cross, as handed her out, she said in
voice that was not very steady
Wont you come aud see me some
times2 live at the Rod House, Hal
stead"
"No,"I said, "thst would be too
much. | hope 1 shall never see you
again"
She bowed her head. We stood facing
each other on the platform, and l dare
say the porters found us amusing.
"Good bye" 1 said, my sharp disap-
pointment lending vlnegsry flavor to
my voice. ...
Your mother, trust, is welll'
She did not answer, and | blundered
on
81 regret to see that you are in slight
mourning. Not, trust
"No, no, mol" she cried vehemently.
"Mamma, at least, is left to me. She
doesn't hate me because tried to do the
best for her when she was left penniless.
She knows thought | ought to marry
General Peglar. She knows how l cried
and cried, aud wondered why you
| where you"
Clara stopped short.
"Good-bye," she said, and walked
down the platform. "l'm not in mourn
ing for my darling mamma, thank God!
It's for General Peglar, of course"