The Penn's Grove record., 1894-05-18

His eve glanced round the carriage !
won't saw he was disappointed not to seq
a corpse or some signs OF a Struggle 0N'
the man was human. a
"Why, you're all right" he saiu,
uBlest il I didn't think you was dead
when I heard that belll It's q wonder
it's connected. Just my luckstoo, ano
us ten minutes behind already what
did yer do it for, ehf' He opened the
door and put his head in With SUDDEN
terocity. vain,
~ stopped the train because IN golpa
to get out" I ssid firmly"
= HNothing wronga'
"No, but I'm going to get OUT"
He planted himself firmly in the door,
way.
was desperate. We were three hun
dred Yards or more from the station.
The up.train va. ~sigaalled. Another
minute of this folly would lose me
Clara.
took out a five pound note, laid itol
the seat and advanced toward him.
A herculean push, l calculated, would
hurl the guard from the train, and
should flee along tho down.line.
To my establishment his lace nae
changed.
"And what about my trouble, slrf
/ be asked, politely, gazing at the note
stopping the train and liable, sir to
get into trouble"
I Jumped out OF the carriage. HI
made way for me deferentially. our
hands touched. Great is the currency,
and 1t will prevail. The next minute ]
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, o practiccd runner. Ny
breath came fast and with difficulty.
NV knees ached furiously, but l ran on.
/ could hear distinctly the rumble OF the
train in the tunnel behind me-the up
train. Twas, 1 reflected, running a race
with the main line up: the prize-Clara.
If the main line up won, it would bear
aer away on its bosom; if 1 won, should
II pressed my falling legs forward
fought for freer breath-got it in a rap.
ture of relief which by experts is called,
| believe, the second wind-and the
main line up and I came in neck and
neck. But of course | landed on tae
down platform. I flew up the steps anl
over the oridge--I reached the W nla:-l
form breathless, hatless, but radiant.
Clara was just getting into a frst-c,asi
carriage.
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 thIob of the train be.
tokened departure. Then she lookel at
her fellow traveller and blanchcl. We
were alone in the carriage, aud fear l
had q lun attic air. Then she recognized
me, her face flushed, and she said:
"oh-youl" with o delinghtful light.
sniug of eyes and brow and q dimpling
OF the corner Of the mouth.
~ had," I exclaimed, pantingly--''to
tun-to catch-the train!"
81 suppose 80" she said, leaning back
in her corner and smiling. 'It wasn't
very wise to give yourself 50 little tiiaa
to do 1t in. Where have you sprung
trom2 Have you friends down hcre2"
81 have ~sprupg," 1 said, beginning to
recover myself. ''from the main line
down, aud am subject to a penalty not
exceeding e5 for availing myself of the
electric communication and stopping
that train"
"Do you mean that you were in that
train that went through just nowi' said
Clara, looking interested.
ssYes; and I stopped it. The guard
was not at first satisfied with my reasons,
though they were o. the best"
"Why did you stop it' What wera
your reasons-if one may ask2"
"You may ask, though the gu1vd did
aot. 1 stopped the train because 1 have
been looking TO. yoa for four yours, and
| l saw you on that platform. [ would
have stopped a tiger, or the march OF
I civilization, on the same grounds"
She gave me a hurried glance, and
TOppc LICK louS h'ohos'
Imopped my forehead furtively before
: proceeding.
s'I have been LOOKING for you for four
years." I said, "to ask you to marry me.
Deari--I never have even thought OF
marrying any one else, and I have been
looking for you all this time" Ny
H~ippancy, born of nervousness, was de.
serting me. I leaned forward earnestly.
"Oh, how good it is to see your dear
face againw I said. "This pays for all.
It is"
"stop" she interrupted, still looking
down. ~ suppose you don't know
was married three years ago to Genera
Peglarp
Married. sank back, SICK at heart
rhe train stopped, and a copy of ths
Financial News got in, witha gentleman
completely buried in it.
But, buried as he was, he was a check
on conversation.
That was an awful %journey-I sat up
very straight and asked questions about
roses and the people who lived at HAL
stead, and the prospect of the hops, and
many other things about which did not
want to hear, and Mrs. Peglar answered
me. And the Financial News and its
occupant sat opposite to me.
Clara grew more and moro SILENT
more aud more smorose. At Charing
Cross, as handed her out, she said in a
voice that was not very steady
won't you come and see me some
timesG ! live at the Red House, Hal
Nead.".
"No,"I said, ''that would DO toe
much. I hopo I shall never sec you
sgain.nn.
She bowed her head. We stood facine
ZACH other On the platform, and I dar'
ay the porters found US amusing.
"Good.bye," I said, my sharp disap.
pointment lending a vinegary favor K
my voice.
"Your mother, l trust, is well2"
She did not answer, aud IFblundered
On
~ regret to see that you are in Sigh
mourning. Not, 1 trust
"No, no, mol" she cried vehemsntly,
"Mamma, at least, is left to me. Sh,
'