The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-06-03

ishment.
At the end OF the platform stood
mountain coach, along the sides OF
which was printed in yellow letters,
Happy Springs" The driver was
climbing up to his seat, and the cum
bersome trap was empty.
ssWant to make $10:' cried Grenfall.
"What say?" demanded the driver,
half falling to the ground.
''Get me to p inside Of twenty
minutes, and I'll give you SO. Hurry
up! Answer
.:Yes; but, you see, I'm hired to-
"Oh, that's all right! You'll never
make money easier Can you get US
there in twenty minutes?''
Its four mile, pardner, and not very
good road, either. Pile in, and we'll
make it er kill old Hip and Jim. Miss
the train?
"Get yourself ready for race with
an express train, and don't ask ques-
tons. Kil1 'em both if you have to.
I'll be back in a second"'
Back to the station he tore. She was
standing near the door looking up the.
track miserably. Already night was
falling. Men were lighting the switch
lanterns, and the mountains were turn
ing into great dark shadows.
"CorHg quickly. have wagon out
here
Resistlessly she was hurried along
and fairly showed through the open
door of the odd looking coach. He was
beside her on the seat in an instant
and her bewildered ears heard him
say:
"Drive like the very dc1ce" Then
the door slammed, the driver clattered
up to his seat, and the horses were off
with rush.
where are we goinsE" she demand
ed, sitting very straight and defiant.
after that train. III tell you all
about it when get my breath. This is
to be the quickest escape from dilem-
ma on record, provided it is an es-
cape BY this time they We're bump
ing along the finty road at q lively
rate, jolting about on the seat in q
most disconcerting manner. After
few long, deep breaths he told her how
the ride in the Springs hack had been
conceived and Of the arrangement he
had made with the dispatcher. He,
Furthermore, acquainted her with the
cause of bis being left when he might
have caught the train.
'Just as reached the track, out Of
breath, but rejoicing, I remembered
having seen you on that side street and
knew that you would be left. 1t would
have been heartless to leave you here
without protection, SO felt it my duty
to let the train so and help you out of
a very ugly predicament."
..How can I ever repay you? she
murmured. ut was so good and so
thoughtful Of you! Oh, I should have
died had I been left here alone! Do
you not think my uncle will miss me
and have the train sent back:' she
went on sagely.
'sThat's so!n' he exclaimed, somewhat
disconnected. But don't know, Ell
ther. He may not miss you for a long
time, thinking you are in some other
car, you know. That could easily hap
pen," triumphantly.
Can this man get US to the next sta
e:on in time?" she questioned, looking
at the black mountains and the dense
foliage It was now quite dark.
IF he doesn't bump US to death be-
fore we get half way there. He's driv-
ing like the wind"
You must let me pay half his BILL"
she said decidedly from the dark corner
in which she was huddling.
He could find no response to this per-
emptory request.
1.-The road is growing rougher. If
you will allow me to make a sugges-
ton, think you will see its wisdom.
You can escape great deal OF ugly
jostling if you will take hold Of my
arm and cling to it tightly. will
brace myself with this strap. I am
sure it will save you many hard
bumps"
Without a word she moved to his
side and wound her strong little arm
about his big one.
II, had thought of that" sire said
simply. Thank you" Then, after q
moment, while his heart thumped mad
". Had it occurred to you that after
you ran so hard you might have
climbed aboard the train and ordered
the conductor to stop it for me?"
"I-I never thought of thatT' he cried
confusedly.
please do not think me ungrateful.
Yva have been very good to me,
stranger. One often thinks afterward
Of things one might have done, don't
you know? You did the noblest when
you inconvenienced yourself for me.
What trouble I have made for you"
s.It has been no trouble" be doun-
dered. can adventure like this is
worth no end Of -er-inconvenience, as
you call it. I'm sure must have lost
my head completely, and l am ashamed
Of myself. How much anxiety could
have saved you had I been possessed
of an ounce of brains"
'sHush! I will not allow you to say
that. You would have me appear un-
grateful when I certainly am not.
Ach, how he is driving! Do you think
It dangerous" she cried Ss the hack
gave two or three wild lurches, throw
ing him into the corner and the girl
half upon him.
..Not in the least,'' he gasped, the
breath knocked out Of his body. Just
the same he was very much alarmed.
It was as dark as pitch outside and
in, and he could not help wondering
how near the edge Of the mountain
side they were running. \ false move
of the flying horses, and they might
90 rolling to the bottom Of the ravlne,
hundreds Of feet below. Still he must
not let her see his apprehension. This
fellow is considered the best driver IN
{oI