Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-05
ON THE
SPECIAL
BY F. B. n,rishf
t:e:ss -
Copyright. 1908. bs T. C. Mcclure
Copyright. 1908, BIZ T. C. Mcclure

Late! Oh. no; not the north bound
train! 1t can't be! Are you sure?"
There was ring in the voice that
caught Hugh Morton's attention. He
looked up. The girl in black who had
interested him when she entered the
waiting room three hours before was
at the ticket window, and the agent
was explaining that the night train
dae at Bellmar Junction at 1870 was
two hours late. Morton himself was
waiting for that train.
Eyes, miss, I'm certain. Just received
word. Twelve thirty anyway, and it
may be later
"But the train from Parkerville on
the other road gets in at II 90, doesn't
it? Isn't there some train out Of here
before it comes? Anything freight"
"No'm: nothing until the fifty three"
answered the man'in surprised tone
He leaned forward to see the girl more
plainly, and she drew aside in confu-
sion.
Thank you. Ill have to wait, then.
It doesn't matter at ALL" she said in a
voice whose trembling showed that it
mattered very much. Then she went
out on the platform, leaving Morton
wondering.
Why was she SO pale? Why was she
so impatient to get away? Why so
anxious to leave before the train from
Parkerviile arrived? He puzzled over
the question for awhile and went out
side for smoke. Then he heard sob
from dark corner. The girl was seat
ed on truck crying SO bitterly that
she did not hear Morton as he approch-
ed. moved by generous impulse.
"You are in some trouble? Can't
be OF some helpT'
The girl raised her head with a start,
hurriedly wiping away the tears. "No;
it's beyond help-I mean it's nothing"
"Therc's nothing beyond help. Won't
you tell me the trouble? You don't
know me, Of course. but hope you can
see I'm gentleman"
The girl seemed to shrink from him.
tits nothing - mere nervousness. 1t
was kind in you to ash, though, and I
thank you would accept If it could
do any good"
With an apology for his intrusion
Morton moved away. He tramped the
platform for awhile and then stopped
in the shadow by the station window.
He had learned telegraphy years be-
fore, and 1t amused him to read the
clicking Of the key. There was the best
part Of a message coming In now. Click
click, click. click -click-click = dress
slender-brown hair-twenty sher-
If up on II If there" When the mes
sage ended the agent glanced out on the
platform toward where the girl was
seated Then be telegraphed back,
Girl here: can't leave; 30 late"
So this was the reason of the girls
agitation, thought Morton. She had
committed some crime, poor thing and
the law was on her track; the law, so
powerful and relentless: she so helpless
and alone. Morton had an instant Vi
sion of the slight, graceful figure and
the pale face and in that instant made
up his mind. He went toward her and
spoke in an undertone:
1--WE accidentally learned something
which concerns you very much. l
don't know what the trouble is, but
they are coming here after you, and l
felt must warn you"
The girl started up with c!asped
hands. ooh, I've been afraid Of this!
What can do what can dog"
There's no time to lose. The sheriff
will be here in fifteen minutes. You
must get away"
"How? There's no chance. oh, If
only my train had been on timer The
girl broke down and sobbed.
Here! Don't do that. You must
keep your nerve, you know" Morton's
brain was wor':ia% 0uiclly Listen. II