The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-09-02
ON THE
SPECIAL
BY F. B. cOriSbf
Copyright, 1905, BY I. c. Mcclure

A4dNts Oh. NO. uOl llt IOTlu uOull
train! 1t can't be! Are you sureg"
There was a ring In the voice tina
caught Hugh Morton's attention. H
locked up. The girl in black who haI
interested him when she entered tn
waiting room three hours before wa
at the ticket window, and the agen
was explaining that the night trail
due ut Bellmar Junction al 1890 wa.
two hours late. Morton himself wal
waiting for that train.
"Yes, miss, I'm certain. Just received
word. Twelve thirty anyway, and 4
may be later"
But the train from Parkerville or
the other road gets in ut 11:20, doesn't
It? Isn't there some train out Of here
before 1t comes? Anything-a freightv'
Nom; nothing until the ffty-three,'
answered the man in n surprised tone,
He leaned forward TO see the girl more
plainly, and she drew aside in confu.
sion.
THANK you. I'll have to wait, then.
1t doesn't matter at ALL" she said in a
voice whose trembling showed that 1t
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
Parkerville arrived? He puzzled over
the question for awhile and went out
side for n smoke. Then he heard n sob
from a dark corner. The girl was seat
ed on a truck crying so bitterly that
she did not hear Morton as he approch-
ed, moved by n generous impulse.
You are in some trouble? Can't l
be Of some help?"
The girl raised her head with a start,
hurriedly wiping away the tears. mo;
it's beyond help-I mean it's nothing"
There's nothing beyond help. Won't
you tell me the trouble? You don't
know me, of course, but l hope you can
see I'm a gentleman"
The girl seemed to shrink from him.
ITS nothing mere nervousness. 1t
was kind in you to ask, though, and I
thank you. l would accept If 1t 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 biography years be-
fore, and it 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-two; sher-
if up on 10 If there" When the mes
sage ended the agent glanced out on the
platform toward where the girl was
seated. Then he telegraphed back,
Girl here; can't leave; 50 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, Sc
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 clasped
hands. "Oh, I've been afraid Of this!
What can l do, what car l do?"
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 working quickly. Listen. II
the sheriff doesn't find you here when
he arrives he'll think you are in the
neighborhood surely, and he'll stop to
search the village. That will take him
until morning. The next station north
is Newboro - fifteen miles. We have
over an hour in which to make it. Will
you take the chance?"
"Yes-any chance. / haven't really
done anything wrong-and if l can es-
cape
"Quick, then! Go over to that shed
on the other tracks and wait"
The girl disappeared, and Morton
sauntered into the waiting room. 1--WE
a bad headache and decided I'd better
not travel. Will the hotel be openT
"Open until 50 comes in"
"Much obliged. Good night"
Morton picked up his satchel and
started toward the hotel. Then he
doubled across the tracks to where the
girl was waiting.
Hurry! There's not much time tC
lose" he said. He had noticed thai
afternoon n hand car on a siding neal
the street and went to it.
Help me to push It," he directed
Easy, though. The agent must moi
hear"
Together they showed the car gently
along the rails and into the darkness
Far off they heard the whistle Of the
sheriff's train.
Morton waited until 1t Numbered uI
to the station. Now" he cried, 1--WE
must push ahead. Their noise will
drown ours"
They jumped aboard and, graspinl
the levers. started off and in a moment
were swinging northward under the
stars, with the station lights growing
fainter in the distance.
The pumping was hard, for the grade
was uphill, and for half an hour moth.
ing was hoard hut tho clonkinp strOl.