Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-10-27
CHAPTER II.--CoNTINUED.

They were running swiftly OOWl
grade now, following the windings o;
the San Mateo, but she made rush
for her section, grabbed the hand
some silver-mounted bag that lay Just
within reach, and with bowed head and
bent form was Fastening on, when the
forward trucks struck a sharp curve.
the big car gave a sudden lurch that
tumbled her into the section directly
in front of the blissful couple, and
sprawled her ANONYMOUSLY upon the
front seat. The occupant of the other
was a snoring commercial traveller. Her
bag dropped in the crash. fell to the
floor, and burst open. and before she
could recover herself or its contents.
the man in gray had sprung to her aid.
had bundled an escaping scent-f1ask
and other trifles back into the recepta-
Gle, shut it's silver lips with a snap,
and. bowling courteously, endeavored
to restore it. Averting her face-coy-
erfng it almost with her handkerchief
she strove to rise and go her way, but
the car still swayed and swung. He put
forth a helping hand to lift her to her
feet, but she did not see it. Scrambling
out, still hiding her face, she seized
again HcE SdtCHCls anu, hONOl AOoN Al
never speaking. hurried past him and
disappeared at the forward end of the
car. leaving Merriam gazing blankly.
fXedly after her.
Didn't she speak to you at all?"
asked the bride, moment later, as
Merriam, with a strange. daZed look
on his face, returned to his seat by her
side. "Fm afraid she's dreadfully hurt,
for her knee struck the seat-arm ever
so hard"
And still Merriam could not speak.
t'What is it, Randy?" she whispered
after a moments anxious study of his
face. ''You look so-unlike yourself"
With an effort he pulled himself to-
gether. did you see her face, Floy,
dear? What was she like?"
''Why, she's blonde with only got
a glimpse, Randy-she's blonde with
light hair and blue eyes. She might
be pretty. Why, dear?" And the dear
came so timidly.
81 thought had seen her before,
but it's mpossible-absurd. Go on and
tell me what Mrs. Grafton wrote you,
sweetheart. Never mind the capsized
blonde just now"
But he himself could 'smind" no one
else when, half an hour later, there
came tripping down the aisle from the
ladies' toilet-room slender, graceful,
stylishly-draped figure with such a
radiantly pretty girl-woman face-a
fair. sweet blonde, with lovely curling
hair, the brightest of big blue eyes, the
rosiest of tiny mouths, with glimpses
OF snow-white teeth as she smilingly ap-
preached and, with infinite grace, held
out prettily gloved hand.
"To think that / should have been
here in time to tender my congratula.
tons! Won't you present me to Mrs
Merriam?"
And Randolph Merriam, for once il
his life, was utterly at a loss what tC
say or do. He could hardly speak. He
could hardly breathe. "Floy," he final
" said-and his tone was strange anc
cold-"this is Mrs. McLane, of New
York, an old-acquaintance." ther
turned away as Mrs. McLane effusively
delightedly bent over that she nigh
shake hands with the bride.
1t was early evening-too early fol
twilight effects, yet the shadows were
falling thick on Florence Merriam
wedding-day before the setting of tn
glowing sun.