Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-11-16


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,
ard her bewildered ears heard him
say:
Drive like the very deucer' Then
the door slammed. the driver clattered
up TO his seat, and the horses were of
with rush.
Where are we going?" she demand
ed, sitting very straight and defiant
after that train. I'll tell you all
about it when get my breath. This is
to be the quickest escape from a dilem-
ma on record, provided it is an es-
cape" BY this time they were bump
ing along the flinty road at a lively
rate, jolting about on the seat in a
most discOncerting manner. After a
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 his being left when he might
have caught the train.
Just as | reached the track, out of
breath, but rejoicing, | 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 go and help you out of
a very ugly predicament."
How can l ever repay you" she
murmured. 1T was so good and so
thoughtful of you! oh, l should have
died had | been left here alone. Do
you not think my uncle will miss me
and have the train sent back? she
went on sagely.
That's sO"' 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.
ton in timer" she questioned, looking
at the black mountains and the dense
foliage. 1t 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 budding.
He could find no response to this per-
emptory request.
The road is growing rougher. If
you will allow me to make a sugges-
ton, | think you will see it's wisdom
Won -
jostling if you will take hold of my
arm and cling to it tightly. l will
brace myself with this strap. l 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" she said
simply. Thank you" Then, after a
moment. while his heart thumped mad
ly, 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?"
IL never thought of thatp' he cried
confusedly.
'Please do not think me ungrateful.
You have been very good to me, a
stranger. One often thinks afterward
! OF things one might have done, don't
you know? You did the noblest when
you Inconvenience yourself for me.
What trouble have made for your
1T has been no trouble" he floun-
dered. "An adventure like this is
worth no end of-er-inconvenience as
you call it. I'm sure | must have lost
my head completely. and am ashamed
of myself. How much anxiety could
have saved you had l been possessed
of an ounce of brainsv'
Hush! l will not allow you to say
that. You would have me appear I'M
grateful when certainly am not.
Ach. how he is driving. Do you think
1t dangerous" she cried as the hack
gave two or th~ee wild lurches, throw
ing him into ,..e 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
1t was as dark as pitch outside and
In, and he could not help wondering
side they were running. A false move
of the flying horses. and they might
go rolling to the bottom of the ravine,
hundreds of feet below. Still he must
not let her see his apprehension This
fellow is considered the best driver in
the mountains" he prevaricated.
"Oh. then we need feel no ALARM"
| she said reassured
There was such a roaring and clat-
| tering that conversation became almost
impossible. When either spoke. it was
with the mouth close to the ear of the
other. At such times Grenfall could
feel her breath on his cheek. Her
sweet voice went tingling to his toes
with every word she uttered He was
in daze, out of which sung the mad
wish that he might clasp her in his
a LII l1,-