The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-23
WON BY A WRECK.

her dainty shoe.
''But you have given me distinct en-
enlargement" urged the good looking
young fellow who was bending low over
her chair, land led me to believe that you
cared for me. -
Indeed. Captain Winter, am exceed
ingly sorry if my behavior at any time
has induced you to form such an entirely
erroneous impression of my feelings to-
ward you. -
The junior captain of the Black hussars
drew himself up promptly at these cold,
cruel words.
You mean what you say, Miss Ian
eastern
"CertainlyP'
sis there-any one elseq"
"You have no right to ask that, Cap
tain Winter. " Violet answered, with ring
of defiance in her clear tones.
81 have every right, - he returned Bit
terly. 1T is the only thing that would
excuse and Justify your rejecting me in
this heartless manner. You have treated
me shamefully, Miss Lancaster.
"Hushl Don't talk so loudly she in
terrupted Then she added
you will keep your mistake to your
self"
s'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 I mean to remain IN
til you tell me whether or not have
fav ored rival
''Please take me back to the ballroom
at onca. Dancing has commenced and Sir
Felix viii 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
simply playing with ms. The other fell
lows affirm that the girls of a garrison
town are fearful hirts and amuse them
selves in making playthings of military
hearts. I never believed it until tonight
I viii detain 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
brain forever. The down express in which,
not by generalization, both were passen-
gers 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 this 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
quite unhurt jumped out of the smoking
carriage where he had been dreaming of
his lost love, and looked wildly around for
her. Alasi 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 burly
guard by the arm.
''There is a lady under there. Great
heavenl Why do you stand gaping here?'
We think all are out, sir, % said the
guard, moving uneasily under his strong
grasp. Leave go, sirl There's no call to
pinch me like that. 1 didn't upset the
train. -
q didn't see what I had got hold Of
You must move this Wreckage. Sec
pointing to a shattered glass window at
their feet, which still bore a duttering pa
per legend, Ladies Only" she was in
here. 1 saw her get on at LeedsP'
eve daren't move it until the lifting
jacks come, sir, - put In the station mas
ter, who had joined the group. If there
is any one there, we should run the risk
of crushing her. -
Captain Winter looked around the circle
Of faces. All looked back at him inquir-
ingly, as if seeking a leader.
Volunteersr' he said briefly. MEN,
she is my sweetheartr'
With snothered 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-
tons were sharp and clear, and to blunder
was impossible. Weights and strength
were we'll adjusted, ana the heavy mass
was raised and so propped that it could not
slip, and then they found what they we're
seeking.
A porter saw her first She was lying
as if asleep, her dress undisturbed, her
lovely head unruf1ed.
Captain Winter had hurried forward at
the first cry that the lady was found. He
stood now, white faced and rigid, and ali
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 Characteris-
tic of his profession, he forgot his own
pain in trying to alleviate that of others.
g Deadr' he said briskly. mot BIZ of
it. She's only tainted. don't believe
she has a scratch. Garry her up to the
station and Wen soon have her round.
My dear sir, that arm is unfortunately
broken, T" as Captain Winter was eagerly
trying to shake his right hand Try the
other if you don't mind and then be;,r
hand with the lady. am helpless, and
the less she is shaken up the better.
"NiOlet, " said Captain Winter half an
hour later as they sat by the fire in the
station master room waiting for the re-
lief train to take them on, 1.-THE regiment
is ordered abroad. 80
Il know, she said in low tone. 81
saw it ia The Gazette y
Train in sight, sir, the guard pop
ped his head in to say
''Au right. Wait minute, Violet. I
should have come to see you before 1 left
England to know-was that true answer
you gave me two years agos" he added
abruptly.
mo, 2 answered Violet quietly, all the
coquetry gone out of her, sit was not. I
have been dying for you ever since. -
Cincinnati Post.