Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-28
Blu REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR,
COPYRIGHT 1902
By Doubleday, Pace & Co


general delivery window flung open before
ne approached his box. He was afraid TO
| look at her letter. He slowly opened the
box.
There was nothing in it!
Sam. you're not holding out my letter
to tease re, old boy?" he asked pathetic
ally.
Sam ives about TO joke him about the
| uncertainties of love, when his eye rested
on his drawn face.
Lord, no, Charlie" he protested, you
] know 1 wouldn't treat you Ike that"
railroad skirted the foot of Kings Noun
, tain, there was a water tank on the noun
tain side where he knew the train stopped
for water about midnight.
With fast horse he could make the Is
miles and board the Limited at this wa
ter station. The only danger was If the
sky should cloud over and the starlight
be lost 1t would be difficult to keep in the
narrow road that wound over the semi
mountainous hills, densely wooded, that
must be crossed to make 1t.
III try it, he exclaimed. Eyes, /
will do it," he added setting his teeth.
''I'll make that train"
He got the best horse he could find in
the livery stable, saw that his saddle
girths were strong, sprang on and gal
loped toward the south. 1t was quarter
to IL when he started, and II seemed
doubtful undertaking. The Limited would
make the run from Independence, % miles.
I'm an hour at the most If she were on
time it would be a close shave for him to
make the Is miles.
The sky clouded slightly before he reach
ed the mountain In spite of his vigilance
he lost his way and had gone a quarter
of mile before a rift in the cloud show
cd him the north star suddenly, and he
found he had taken the wrong road at
the crossing and was going straight back
home
Wheeling his horse, he put spurs TO him,
and dashed at full speed back through the
dense woods.
Just as he got within a mile of the tank
he heard the train blow for the bridge
crossing at the river near by.
Now my boy" he cried to his horse,
patting him. Now your level besty'
The horse responded with a squirt Of
desperate speed. He had way of hand
ling j horse that the animal responded
to with almost human sympathy and in
teligence. He seemed to breathe his own
will into the horses spirit. He flew. over
the ground, and reached the train just as
the fireman cut off the water and the
engineer tapped his bell to start.
He flung his horses rein over a hitching
post that stood near the silent little sta
'ior house rushed to the track, and
sprarg on the day coach as 1t passed.
He had intended to ride 30 miles on this
train, see his sweetheart face to face
learn the truth from her own lips-and
then return on the uptrain. He hoped to
ride back to cambridge before day and
keep the fact Of his trip a secret.
Now 3 new difficulty arcse-a very sim
pie one-that he had not thought of for
moment. She was IN a Pullman sleeper
of course aui asleep.
There were three sleepers, one for At
lanta, one for New Orleans and one for
Memphis. He hoped she was in the At
lante sleeper as that was her destination,
though If that were crowded in its lower
berths she might me in either of the 9TH
ers. But how under heaven could he To-
cate her? The porter probably would not
know her.
"I've an important message for a pas
senger in one of these sleepers, Captain
he exclaimed. 81 have ridden across the
mountains to catch the train here -
"All right, sir" said the genial conduc-
tor go right in and deliver it. You look
like you had tussle to get here"
1T was a close shave" CASTOR replied.
He stepped into the Atlanta sleeper and
encountered the dusky potentate who pre-
sided over its aisles.
The porter looked up from the shoes
he was shining at Gaston's dishevelled
hair and gave him no welcome.
CASTOR dropped a nalf dollar into his
hand and the porter dropped the shoes
and grinneo royal welcome.
ANY ting kin do fer We, boss?"
SCOT any ladies on your carp
'Yassir three un en-"
Young, or old?"
zone young I'M en- two ole uns"
did the young lady get on at Independ-
ence?"
''Yassir''
''Going to Atlanta?"
'Yassir"
f,.I
BOSS, she's de purtiess young lady /
eber laid my eyes on-but look lax she
been cryin'."
Then I want you to wake her. must
see her"
''Lordy, boss, I cain do dat IIit ergin de
rules"
But, I'm bound to see her. I've ridden
IS miles across the mountain and scratch
ed my face all to pieces rushing through
those woods. I've a message of the utmost
importance for her"
"Cain do hit boss. hits ergin de rules.
But you can go wake her yoself, eff you'se
or mind ter. l cain keep you FUN IT. She's
dar in number seben."
CASTOR hesitated. mo. you must wake
her." he insisted, dropping another half
dollar in the porter's hand.
The porter got up with grin. He felt
he must rise to a great occasion.
"Weu 1 des tumble roun' de berth en-
mebbe she wake herself, en- den tell her.
Just then the electric bell overhead
rang and tn index pointed to Z. Oar now,
OATS her calm me. shot,
He approached the berth. What kin
do fur We, Mann" he whispered.
Porter, who is that you are talking
to? It sounds like some one 1 know"
"Yassum, hits young gent name er Gas
ton, Jump on bode at the water station
say he got 'portent message fur you"
Tell him / will see him in q moment"
The porter returned with the message.
''You des wait in dar, in number one
hits not made up-tweH she come" he
added.
There was the soft rustic of a dressing
gown-he sprang to his feet, clasped her
hand passionately, kissed it, and silently
she took her seat by his side, He still
held her hand and she pressed his gently
in response He saw that she was crying,
and his heart was too full for words for
a moment.
He looked long and wistfully in her face.
In her disheveled hair by the dim light
of the car he thought her more beautiful
than ever. At last she brushed the tears
from her eyes and turned her face full on
his with sad smile.
my own dear love!" she sobbed. at
prayed that 1 might see you somehow be-
fore left I was wide awake when l
first heard the distant murmur of your
she pressed his hand.
IT got your letter at ten-thirty''-
"Oh that awful letter. How I cried