Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1900-09-14
The DANVERS
Jewels.
BY TIE AUTHOR OF RED PORTAGE

"There will be drift at the bottom
Of Farrow hill" said Ralph; 1--WE shall
b. late for the train.
And in truth. rs we came cautiously
down the hill. on turning n corner we
b held a smooth sheet of snow tapping
over the top of the hedge on o2e side,
ike iced sugar on cake, anu siopinS
downward to the ditch on the otler SIDE
OF the road.
Hold on" cried Charles. as | stood
IN to look. and in another moment we
were pushing our way througl tne
SHOW. keeping as near the ditch as pos
sible-too near, as it turned ont. But 1t
was not TO he.
\ few yards in front of us lay the
road-snowy, but practicable; but we
could not reach it. We swayed baci;-
ward and forward; we tilted M and
down. Charles whistled, and made
divers consolatory and encouraging
sounds to the bay horse; but the bay
horse began to plunge; he made side
movement; one wheel crunchcd down
through the ice in the ditch and all was
over, at least all i'll the cart We're. we
fell soft. | most providentially ahghtinS
on the groom. who was young and in
chned to be plump. and thus breaking a
fail which to a heavy man of my age
might have been serious. Charles and
Ralph We're up in moment.
Il thought could not do il! But it
was worth a trial." said Charles, shaking
himself. George. look after the horse
and cart. and take them straight back.
Now, Ralph, we must run for 1t, II we
mean to catch the train. Middleton, You
had better go back in the cart And off
they set, plunging through the snow
without further ceremony. | watched
the two dark figures disappearing, aghast
with establishment. They Were posi-
lively leaving me behind.
In moment my mind was made mp,
and, leaving the gasping young groom
to look after the horse and cart. | set off
to run. too. 1t was only a chance, of
course. but in this weather the train
might be late. 1t was al the way down
hill. | thought could do it and did.
Ny feet We're balled with snow: | was
hotter than had bee for years; l was
completely out of breath, but when |
puffed into the little roadside station,
| five minutes after the train was due. |
could see that it was not yet in and that
Ralph and Charles We're waiting on the
platform.
My word, Middleton" said Charles,
coming to meet me, Il thought | had
seen the last of you when | left you re.
Ginning on George in the drift. | dc
believe you have got yourself into this
state of fever heat purely to be of use tC
US two, and l treated You very cavalier.
ly, l am sure. Let bygones be bygones
and let us shake hands while you are in
this melting mood"
could not speak, but we shook hand.
cordially and l hurried off to get my
ticket.
"You can only book to Marlborough
he called after me, ''where we chang,
and catch the London express"
The station master gave me my tickle
and then approached Charles ant
touched his cap.
might any of you gentlemen be go
ing to London, SIR" he inquired.
"All three of us"
II don't think you will get on, sir
The news came down this morning tina
the evening express from TarbOrOugl
last night was thrown. off the rails by
Il M 1-,n,1-ol oh 4
expect the line is clear yet. There vii
be no trains running till later in tn
day, am afraid"
1.-The night express" said Ralph sud
denly.
do you mean the train, which yo
can catch by the 500 from here;"
eyes, sir"
"She was in it.' said Ralph, in
hoarse voice, as the man walked away.
How late the train is" said Charles
quarter of an hour already. | say
Jervis," calling after him, "any partit
ulars about the accident? Serious?"
ooh, dear no, sir. not to my know
edge. Never heard of anything bu
that the train had been upset and La
stopped traffic"
Not many people travelling in sue
weather at any rate. l daresay Their
was not creature who went from her
by the last train last night"
''Only two, sir. One of the youn
gentlemen from the rectory and youn
lady, who was very near late, poor thin!
and all wet with snow. All! there sh
is at last!' as the train came in sigh
and he went through the ceremony {
, ringing the bell, although we We're til
only travellers on the platform.
; 1t was only an hours run to TIA
borough, where we We're to join the mai
line.
"What are we to do now" said Charlie
as the chimneys of Marlborough hove
} sight, and the train slackened. "Ten I
t one we shall not be able to get on
London,"
= "Nor she either!' said Ralph. 81 sha
see her! | shall see her here."
There was an air of excitement abol
| the whole station as we drew up befo
{ the platform. Groups of railway of
f cials were clustered together, talkir
,lgerly; the barmaids were all lookir
S tut of the refreshment room door; p
licemen We're stationed here and Their
y and outside the iron gates of the static
$ Il little crowd of people We're waitil
f In the trodden yellow snow, peeri1
. through the bars.
We got out, and Charles went up to
t respectable looking man in black, e,
+ IDENTIFY an official of some consequence
/ and asked what was the matter. ri
s man informed him that a special hi
g been sent down the line with workm,
e TO clear the rails, and that it's retur
a with the passengers in the i'll fated e
Dress was aSnectai at anv noomant