The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-10-26
J On Wings of /
s Steam n ~ ~ f
y BY FRANK X. EINNEGAN
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Copyrighted by Daily Story Pub Coz
copyrighted by Daily Story Pub. Coz

TT IS 60 miles from Clinton to De
Forrest. That geographical fact,
hitherto of interest chiefly to the
farmers and other shippers from De
Forrest who had to pay freight bills,
entered into the life of three or four
people in most unexpected way and
had its unconscious part in shaping
their destinies.
"Thursday. the 18th of the month.
will be here at home again, dearest"
said Harry Weaver, clasping closer to
him the slender figure of Myrtle
Dunno, land then for our wedding, our
long-delayed, oft-postponed wedding"
81 should say it has been long-de-
layed," pouted the girl, looking up at
him, "do you know this is the fourth
the date, and each time something has
occurred to cause postponement?
Once your train. was wrecked on the
road; then your mother died the week
set for the wedding; then only last
year, your firm failed and you feared
to undertake married life. Oh, Harry,
I have q presentiment that something
will happen. I've an idea We will never
be married.
Nonsense, little one" laughed
Weaver, "all the things that have hap
pened in the past have been unfortu-
nate condolences, but now everything
is clear sailing and when finish my
present trip on the road, I'll run in
here on the 18th and We'll be quietly
married by old DR.. Rogers, and then
your fears will be at rest. BY the way,
Myrtle, there was something l want
ed to speak to you about. A certain
party here has been busy enough to
tell me that you have been to dances
once or twice with Tom Kelly while l
was on this last trip. Now, of course,
] amt Jealous, you know, but would
mt do that if were you. don't think
it looks right in girl that's. to be
married SO soon"
Myrtle had slipped hurriedly out of
his arms at the mention Of Tom Kel-
iy's name.
"Mr. Kelly and have been very dear
friends since childhood" she said,
ra ther sharply, land he has been good
enough to take pity on my loneliness
and offer to escort me to one or two
places. Am to be shut up in nun
merry while you are on the road, l
should like to know?'
"Oh, no." said Weaver, hastily. don't
be angry, dear. l meant it kindly.
Now must tear myself away to catch
the 7:45 for Clinton. Remember,
bright and early on the 18th I'll come
to claim you and then no more worry
ing"
He kissed her and hurried away into
the darkness and she returned home
very grave and quiet. De Forrest is
not large or lively place at best, and
Myrtle found it very dull when the
handsome travelling man was away
on the road which was pretty much all
of the time. Indeed, lately she had be-
galn to find it dull when he was there
and to wonder what sort of life she
Suouid lCdb as AIo "iiS anu
she were doing right in wedding man
who could be with her but once or
twice month. OF course Tom helped
to relieve the monotony. Dear old
Tom! They had studied from the
same book in school and he seemed to
know there was shadow forming in
the mind Of his old playmate.
Tom was the telegraph operator at
the railroad depot in De Forrest and
such time as he was free from the
ticking of the key he spent with
Myrtle. And the travelling salesman
had scant courtesy for the good look
ing operator that night as he waited
for his train outside the little window
Of the station.
A week later Harry Weaver awoke
one morning in his berth in Pullman
car and realized with jump of the
heart that it was the 18th of the month
his wedding day. The train was
speeding along toward Clinton and he
hastily dressed and prepared for the
long, how, 60mile ride across coun-
try in the accommodation train to De
Forrest. There were not many trains
on that branch and such as there were
did not make alarmingly fast time,
but Weaver's thoughts were running
so fast that he imagined the flying sx.
press train was only crawling toward
Clinton.
ION time?" he asked the conductor.