Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-05-05

par was as distant as an iceberg. III
there should be a wreck" Grenfall
caught himself thinking, then my
chance would come, but l don't see
how Providence is going to help me in
any other way"
Near the close Of the day, after they
left Cincinnati, the train began to wind
through the foothills Of the Alle-
ghanies. Belaire, Grafton and other
towns were left behind, and they were
soon whirling up the steep mountain,
higher and higher. through tunnel aft
er tunnel, nearer and nearer to Wash
ington every minute. AS they were
pulling out of little mining town
built on the mountain side sudden
jar stopped the train. There was some
little excitement and scramble for
information. Some part Of the engine
was disabled, and it would be neces-
sary to replace it before the run"
could proceed.
Lorry strolled up the crowd Of pas
sengers who were watching the engi-
neer and fireman at work. A clear,
musical voice. almost in his ear, star
tied him, for he knew to whom 1t be-
longed. She addressed the conductor,
who, impatient and annoyed, stood i'm
mediately behind him.
"How long are we to be delayed"
olo f,un n,innfQS hnfnrn
this same conductor had responded
most ungraciously to simple question
Lorry had asked and had gone so far
as to instruct another inquisitive trav-
eler to go to Il warmer climate because
he persisted In asking for information
which could not be given except by q
clairvoyant. But now he answered In
most affable tones:
well be here for thirty minutes at
least, miss-perhaps longer"
She walked away after thanking
him, and Grenfall looked ut his watch.
OF the main street of the town ran
little lanes leading to the mines be-
low. They all ended at the edge Of
steep declivity. There was a drop OF
almost 400 feet straight into the valley
below. Along the sides Of this valley
were the entrances to the mines. Above,
on the ledge, was the machinery for
lifting the ore to the high ground on
which stood the town and railroad
yards.
Down one Of these streets walked the
young lady. curiously interested in all
about her. She seemed glad to escape
from the train and its people, and she
hurried along, the fresh spring wind
blowing her hair from beneath her cap,
the ends of her long coat futtering.
I.orry stood OH the platform watch
ing her; then he lighted n cigarette and
followed. He had vague feeling that
she ought not to be alone with all the
workmen. She started to come back
before he reached her. however, and he
turned again toward the station. Then
he heard a sudden whistle. and a, min.
ute later from the end Of the street he
saw the train pulling out. Lorry had
rather distinguished himself in college
as q runner, and instinctively he dash
ed up the street. reaching the tracks
Just In time to catch the railing Of the
last coach. But there he stopped and
stood with humping heart while the
coaches slid smoothly up the track,
leaving him behind. He remembered
be was not the only one left, and he
painted and smiled. It occurred to him
when 1t was too late that he might
have got on the train and pulled the
rope or called the conductor, but that
was out of the question now. After
all, it might not be such merry game
to stay in that filthy little town. 1t did
not follow that she would prove friend
ly.
A few moments later she appeared,
wholly unconscious Of what had hap
pened. A glance down the track, and
her face was the picture Of despair.
Then she saw him coming toward
her with long strides, flushed and ex-
cited. Regardless Of appearances, con-
ditions or consequences, she hurried to
meet him.
"Where IL the trainr she gasped AZ
the distance between them grew short,
her blue eyes seeking his bessechingly,
her hands clasped.
ut has gone"
"Gone? And we've are leftT
He nodded, delighted by the word
"We."
"The conductor said thirty minutes.
It has been but twenty" she cried hak
tearfully, half angrily, looking at her
watch. "Oh. what shall I dor she
went on distractedly. He had enjoyed