The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-02
WON BY A WRECK.

1dbCQ paf64A6Ab Win b06 JO0 "a LICK Qe11AbY
shoe.
"But you have given me distinct en-
couragement, urged the good looking
young fellow who was bending low over
her chair, land led me on to believe that
you cared for me-"
''Indeed, Captain Winter, I am exceed
ingly sorry if my behavior at any time has
induced you to form such an entirely er-
roneous impression of my feelings toward
you
The junior captain of the Black Hussars
drew himself up proudly at these cold,
cruel words. She glanced up at his face
and thought to herself:
81 hope he is not going to make scene.
1t would spoil my evenings enjoyment,
and the floor is perfect, the music delight
full and my programme is well filed up.
Well, 1 really did go trihe further with
him than 1 meant, but never for mo-
ment imagined that he mistook my jest
for earnest. 1 wish to goodness he'd speak
and stop glaring at me like high tragedy
stage lover"
you mean what you say, Miss Lam
eastern
"Certainlyr'
SIS there-any one elsef''
"You have no right to ask that, Captain
Winter" Violet answered, with ring of
defiance in her clear tones.
81 have every right, - he returned Bit
terly. ''It is the only thing that would ex-
cuse and justify your rejecting me in this
heartless manner. You have treated me
shamefully, Miss Lancaster. -
fHushl don't talk so loudly she in
terrupted. Then she added:
"You will keep your mistake to yours
self?''
"You need not alarm yourself. have
not the slightest intention of wearing my
heart on my sleeve for all the davis to peck
at. But here mean to remain until you
tell me whether or no have favored
rival
fPlease take me back to the ballroom at
once. Dancing has commenced, and Sir
Felix will be looking for me-"
He neither moved nor spoke. Seeing
that the only way to escape was to answer
his question, she murmured, almost below
her breath:
"There is no one else.''
"Then,'' he replied, "you have been sim
ply playing with me. The other fellows
affirm that the girls of a garrison town are
fearful f1irts and amuse themselves in
making playthings of military hearts 1
never believed it till-tonight. will de-
tain you no longer
When they met again, it was on a scene
of horror and amid sights and sounds the
memory of which is burned into Violet s
brain forever. The down express, in
which, not by generalization, both were
passengers, had in the fog dashed into
some empty trucks standing where no
trucks should have been-just outside the
little station of Southwold.
The rear carriages escaped damage, and
it was in that part that Captain Winter
was travelling.
When the sickening crash came, his first
thought was for Violet Lancaster. He
knew she was in the train, for their eyes
had met for one brief instant at the ticket
Office at the point of departure.
Now, Captain Winter, half dazed, but
quito unhurt, jumped out of the smoking
carriage where he had been dreaming of
his lost love, and looked wildly round for
her. Alas, she had been, he knew, in the
ladies compartment, near the engine.
which was now only a hideous mass of
smoking ruins. He caught the burIy
guard by the arm.
There is lady under there. Great
heaven, why do you stand gaping hereF'
1--WE think all are out, sir, said the
guard, moving uneasily under his strong
grasp. Leave go, sir. There's no call
to pinch me like that. I didn't upset the
train
81 didn't see what had got hold Of
You must move this wreckage. See, -
their feet, which still bore duttering pa
per legend, Ladies only" "She was in
here. l saw her get in at Leeds
"We daren't move it until the lifting
jacks come, sir, put in the station master
who had joined the group. ''If there is
any one there, we should just run the risk
Of crushing them"
Captain Winter looked around the cir
Gle of faces. All looked back at him in
quiringly, as if seeking a leader.
"Volunteers!" he said briefly. "Men,
she is my sweetheartI'
With a smothered cheer they leaped on
the wreckage and worked like demons to
clear it, Captain Winters military train
ing stood him in good stead. His direc-
tions were sharp and clear, and to blunder
was impossible. Weights and strength
were well adjusted, and the heavy mass
was raised and so propped that it could
not slip, and then they found what they
were seeking.
A porter saw her first. She was lying as
if asleep, her dress undisturbed, her lovely
head unruffled.
Captain Winter had hurried forward at
the first cry that the lady was found. He
stood now white faced and rigid, and all
the others instinctively turned away their
looks from him.
The doctor came forward at once. He
carried one arm in an improvised splint
and sling. 1t was broken, but with the
spirit of self sacrifice which is Characters
tic of his profession he forgot his own pain
in trying to alleviate that of others.
''Dead?'' he said briskly. mot bit of
it. She's only tainted. 1 don't believe she
has a scratch. Carry her up to the station,
and wo'I soon have her round. My dear
sir, that arm is unfortunately brokenp' as
Captain Winter was eagerly trying to
shake his right hand. Try the other, if
you don't mind, and then bear hand
with the lady. I am helpless, and the less
she is shaken the better. "
"Violet," said Captain Winter half an
hour later as they sat by the fire in the
station masters room, waiting for the re-
lief train to take them on, the regiment
is ordered abroad"
81 know" she said in low tone. 81
saw it in The Gazette
TRAINS in sight, sir, " the guard pop-