The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-21

5AicLiI nave reached AollaAs the Junction
for Nevada city and Grass Valley, when
the goods news came that the line was
cleared ahead, and the train could pro-
coed.
But they certainly could not reach Col
fax now until well into the night. There
would be time, If the dispatch had reached
Grass valley, and ia more important if .
Cora said nothing to Evelyn about the
daring venture to which she had com
mitted herself; II would be no use agitat-
ing the poor child while the upshot was so
uncertain, and there was no knowing how
the rash step would turn out.
Meanwhile, the passengers congratulate
ed themselves on the slightness of the de-
lay. The engineer, anxious to make up
time, put on steam; the cars plunged
bumped, and jolted over rails that were
never laid for express speed. They ran
through long galleries of snow-sheds, the
air heavy and sitting with back-blown
smoke. Here and there, through breaks in
the roof and wall, they caught glimpses
of a wonderful world of white that seem
ed to blaze and blind the eyes, snowy
nights that seemed 10 scale the heavens
snowy drifts that spread away and away
in measureless reach TO the snowy hori-
zon hne-all one spotless expanse of glacial
purity, the dazzlins, wonderful white
world of the Slerras
Evelyn Adair, unsuspecting of her cham
pion's plans on her behalf now, as she had
been unsuspicious of the family conspir-
acy against her earlier, was Indifferent
allke to the gloom Of the snOw-sheds and
the glory of the mountain scenery as she
watched the day pass and lived in dread of
the morrow. Sometimes wild thoughts of
resistance, defiance. rebellion, fitted
through her mind-thoughts which she
knew she would never have the cOura ge
to carry out into action-she, the "cllnging
vine type of woman, who Gould not even
stand erect, how much less fight. alone!
so night closed again; the car was turn
ed into a dormitory. and Evelyn lay down
in her berth and drew her curtains, little
cheered by the prospect on which her aunt
dWelt encouragingly, that they would be
in San Francisco next day in time for
lunch, and find Mr.. Scrope awaiting them.
Bell, book, and candle priest and ring-all
even to the bridal wreath and bouquet.
would be ready for the following morning 8
ceremony Thinking of 1t all, Evelyn felt
like bird caught in a trap, as if beating
against the bars would only break her
wings.
The train ratified EDWARDS srough the
darkness; silence settled down upon the
car, and presently Evelyn fell into an I'M
easy sleep, from which she was aroused
by low voice softly calling her name.
What is it? Who is it?" she asked,
startled.
Its only 1. Hush Evelyn, don't wake
your aunt" said Cora, bending her head
between the curtains into Evelyn's berth,
so that only Evelyn should hear her as
she added, Get up, dear, quickly, quietly"
What is the matter? Is anything
wrong?' Evelyn asked anXiously.
mo everythingis all right, as right as
can be. Only you must get up, Evelyn,
and dress yourself"
Evelyn rose obediently; the two girls
stood in the narrow passage between the
close ranks of curtained berths, in the
faint light of the swinging lamp which
was turned low. Cora was fully dressed,
Evelyn in the becoming deshabille of a
pretty blue be-ribboned dressing gown.
Startled and half-frightened, her golden
hair falling In disorder on her shoulders,
she looked so young and fair and child
like, that Cora could not help kissing her
with unusual demonstration.
There, don't be startled, dear. Come
quickly to the dressing room. Which is
your aunts berth?" she whispered eau
tiously.
There" as Evelyn indicated. an oppo-
site berth, from behind the curtain of
which a gentle snore told that Mrs. Pratt
was sleeping the sleep of the just.
''Shes sound off that's all right! Put
up your hair, and get your frock on quick
ly," she added. when they had reached the
safe seclusion of the little toilet-room
There's somebody waiting for you in the
much"
ITS not-not Mr.. scrope?" calculated
that gentlemans bride-elect in a Mortified
whisper, turning pale and clinging to Cora.
mol 1 should have let Mr.. Scrope find
another messenger. Can you guess, Eve
lyn, who Is anxious, longing, for a word
with you-who has come down from the
Nevada mines to meet this train, TO ex-
plain all while yet there's time? Now,
DONE trennh1a and no tears. lt'S the time
for laughing, and not for crying. Come !
Harry is waiting for you, and we've hours
before us to talk things over"
Silently and cautiously the two girls
stole along the car, between the rows of
slumberers, in the stiffness of the dead
of night. At the end of the car the con-
ductor was waiting to hand them across
| the platform TO the next car, with an air
| of interest and sympathy which showed
| that he was not proof against the touch
| of nature that makes the whole world
| kin"
'"rhe gentleman is in there, ladies'" he
| said, indicating the little compartment
called drawing room" at the rear of the
car, which fortunately happened to be dis
| engaged. His eyes followed
them with smile as they
went in Evelyn trembling and
| clinging fast to Coras hand. He was not
at all surprised when, after few min
uteS, the dark yong lazy came out OF the
drawing room and closed the door behind
| her.
Nor was Cora at all surprised that it
seemed a long time before Harry Blake
opened the door and called her back, nor
| that when he did so he also summoned
two middle-aged gentlemen, who had
| come on board the train with him al Col
| fax junction, and with whom, meanwhile,
| Miss Power had been beguiling the time
| by a discussion of the position. With
| these two gentlemen she now re-entered
! the drawing room, and found Harry Blake
| beaming and triumphant, fairly radiant
with joy, Evelyn blushing and quivering,
between smiles and tears, but with hap
by light in her eyes.
| Evelyn, dear" said Harry, tenderly,
''let me introduce my old friend the Rev.
Henry Mcguire. l got him to come along
with me, thinking that-that-'
''That my services might be offered in
| happy time on this-er-very happy Occa-
| son," said the Rev. Henry, bowling low,
and, not to be backward in the said serv-
ices. pulling prayer book out of his
| pocket
"And here is Judge Randolph" added
| Mr.. Blake (who had certainly not failed
in forethought in providing betimes for
/ i