The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-12-28


had my own work to do and my other
life to live, but that has nothing to do
with this story-after four years bust
ness took me to Tunbridge.
went by express train. l bought
the papers and got comfortable corner
in first class carriage, where l let the
papers lie on my knee and dreamed my
usual dream-Clara, Clara, Clara.
The stations rushed by-Chislehurst,
Orpington. I looked out at the station
gardens, all roses ana pinks and honey
suckle, the Ravens wherein porters
took refuge from the game of railway
life.
AS we swept into Halstead station
looked out, with a torpid curiosity as to
the gardens there, and saw Clara
She was standing on the up-platform, a
bunch ofrsd and pink roses in her hand
She had on gray dress, with black
ribbons, aud large gray hat with
black feathers, and She had Just the
same sweet, dear little face aud curly
| hair
Whizz lzz.-whirrl The train had shot
by the station, the carriage windows
ratified, the train vibrated and pulsated
with increasing speed, and every pulse
and every vibration was carrying me
away from my hearts heart.
leaned out of the window, dazed and
stupid with the delight at the mere
sight of her I could just see her gray
gown and bright flowers, then some one
on the platform stepped betw en- her
and me, and my senses returned TO me.
In fash l saw that if l went on to
Sevenoaks and got a train back, she,
who was obviously waiting for the next
up train, would have left the station
long before I reached 1t. Probably
she was only spending a day at Hal
stead, and any search for her would
be in vain.
If failed to grasp the chance, an
other four years-priceless years of
youth-might so before l saw her again.
All this flashed through my mind in the
space it took to get from the window to
the electric communication with the
guard.
broke the glass, pulled out the han
die. The train slackened, and as it
stopped, the guard put his head in a my
carriage window.
His eye glanced around the carriage.
| won't say he was disappointed not to
see corpse or some sign of a struggle,
but the man was human.
why, you're all right" he said.
"Blest if didn't think Won were dead
when heard that bell! It's wonder
it's connected. Just my luck, too, and
us ten minutes behind already What
did yer do it for, eh9,
He opened the door and put his head
in with sudden ferocity.
81 stopped the train because ! am
going to get OUT" said firmly.
Nothing wrong2"
mo, but I'm going to get OUT
He placed himself firmly in the door
way.
was desperate. We were three hun
dred yards or more from the station.
The up-train was signaled. Another
minute of this folly would lose me Clara.
took out fve-pound note, laid It on
the seat aud advanced toward him. A
hnrculean push, calculated. would hurl
the guard from the train, and l should
fee along the down line.
To my establishment his face had
changed.
land what about my trouble, sirl" he
asked politely, gazing at the note
stopping the train and liable, sir, to
get into trouole2n
l jumped out of the carriage. He
made way for me deferentially. Orr
hands touched. Great is the currency.
and it will prevail. The next minute I
was speeding back along the down line
toward Halstead Station.
The line is laid on exceedingly rough
gravel, and my running was not easv.
Nor ana I, at any tune, practiced nm
ner. My breath came fast and with diff
hculty. My knees ached furiously, but
ran on. | could hear distinctly the
rumble of the train In the tunnel behind
me-the up-train. l was, I reflected
running race with the main line up,
the prize-Clara.
Ii the main line up won, it would bear
her away on It's bosom; if Iwon, should
II pressed my failing legs forward
fought for freer breath-got it in a rap
ture of relief which by experts is called
l believe, the second wind-and the main
line and came in neck and neck. But
of course landed on the down Plat.
form. flew up the steps and over the
bridge-I reached the up platform
breathless, hatless, but radient. Clara
was just getting into a first-class car.
rage.
stumbled in after her, and sank pant.
ing in the corner She, seated at the
far window, did not turn her ewes on
me till the slow throb of the train he
tokened departure. Then she looked +
her fellow traveller and blanched. We
were alone in the carriage, and | fear 7
had lunatic air. Then she recognized
me, her face flushed, and she said s,Ob