The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-12-27

Eve, LOO, markeu tue peS'hhiiS w
their lverginy paths. And he had
heard Of diverging paths which came
together again after awhile!
Tomorrow was the glad New ear
again. Would its happy greeting be
only mockery to him.
Suddenly a thought, which had
smouIdered in his mind for days flashed
up like CLEAN of heavenly light, radl-
ating his whole being.
She was coming home tonight on
the late train; and he was so hungry
to see her; only God knew how fam
ished of heart he was!
He would take the down train, get
off at Rockland when she changed cars
for Gladbrook. No one could prevent
him from riding home in the same
coach with her; and even that would
be blessed comfort. Then, maybe,
something would come of it. Who
knew?
In fifteen minutes he was inside bis
great coat and locked the ball door,
with nervous, glad excitement stealing
over him, like the coming of new day.
A ten minutes walk brought him to
the station.
Going away for the New 1eal"'
queried the agent: pleasantly, handing
Rcyburn the required pasteboard.
80, little way he replied, absent
ly, pulling on his gl"v's
Scarcely had he settled himself in
the outward bound train than Joe
Antrim thumped him on the shoulder
and sang out: Hello! going away on
a blowout, l suppose? Well, so am l.
Some are going away, and some are
coming home
In the awkward silence which fol-
lowed Joe's volullc introduction, he
seemed to read Reyburn's thoughts,
for. without looking further for reply,
he bean again: Miss Sulnmelticld is
coming home to night, they say; and
they say, too that she is bringing her
best fellow with her. Gladbrook looks
for wedding at the Summerfeld
home tomorrow. But, of course, |
don't know; it is only gossip, maybe" !"
Having thus delivered himself, Joe
Antrim, without waiting for reply,
betook himself to the smoker, leaving
Reyburn in just the state of mind he
intended, halfway between insanity
and desperate intent.
But by and by Rey burns mind
cleared tc Joe's last sentence. Only
gossip. OF course that was all; but
Joe was mean to hash it over, to him
of all persons, and in such an insinu-
ating manner, too. Well, he would go
OH to Rockland now if he met her CON-
plete bridal party; he would see for
himself, and if it was all true, why, he
would not 60 home that night, and
perhaps Gladbrook would never see
him again.
At Rockland he had only few min
utes to wait between trains, and al
ready the home, bound one was waiting
on side-track. Purchasing his ticket,
he ensconccd himself where he could
plainly see the passengers leave the
cross-t:ain.
Nov for the bridal party, at least
the bride and groom" he said, trying
to he jocular with himself, although his
face Was very white and his mouth
twitched nervously.
At the cry "train, train," every
body began to hustle about. Friends,
baggage and good-byes were mixed up
indiscriminately, but Leigh was very
still. He could hear his anxious heart
beat out its suspense in great suffocat-
ing leaps, as the fateful train thundered
! in.
Sure enough, there was Miss Sum-
merfield: and the fine. looking man who
helped her alight also took charge of
her baggage.
Heaven have mercy! Were gossip
and Joe Antrim right. after all? But
pshaw! any chivalrous fellow traveller
would have done as much.
Notwithstanding this plausible
thought, Leigh slipped into the home.
bound coach like thief, taking the
corner seat in the rear end of the car
When Miss Summer field came in
tie terrible groom-to be, to whom the
bridal party had dwindIed, even he
was not in attendance. Marie carried
her own grip"
The man felt tremor of hope quivel
ali over him, something like an clectri.
current. She took the third seat from
the door and leaned her head on hel
hand wearily. A strange air for 6
bride, thought the man in the corner
lie could not see her face, but some
way he felt that this New Years Ev,
was what she wished. o, was she il
trouble, too? He had half mind t,
60 to her; the seat directly behind he
was providentially empty; lie coul,
, whisper Marie over the back of he
seat when his courage warranted it.
At the next stop he took advantag
! of the stir of the passengers and slip
2 ped into the coveted grove. Blessc'
privilege! He had not been near, S
,, | ,,oo, hor for 1oarc and hiS hoo uo