Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-08
LEFT BY THE EXPRESS.
A Station Masters Story.

| times? That would be company"
Il don't like her, VIII. Then the
children make a noise, and she's al
ways so taken up with them"
How many have they got nowp
asked VIII with q strange intonation
in his voice.
THAT last made four. They have a
lot, and others"
Mary was about to say that many
other people had none. but she stopped.
VIII sighed, and Mary echoed the sigh
unconsclously.
Isn't there something you could
do to make the time less tiring?" in
qulred VIII helplessly.
Il could get some wool and knit
things for the winter. but we can't
spare the money, and we've got enough
things for another three wintors!7 re-
turned Mary angrily. "When I say
I've nothing to do, Of course can make
work. have to- or I should eat my
heart out. L look at the trains and I
see the happy people, and it hurts me
so that l have to turn to and do some
| housework. 1 scrub the kitchen floor
| In the morning, and / often scrub It
| again In the afternoon. When those
| feelings come over me. have to do
something, or I'd 60 mad, stark, staring
mad! So I get the soap and water
and scrubbing brush, and l work on
that kitchen floor to relieve 'emT'
1t was Sunday evening once more;
an autumn Sunday with the night fall
| Ing at an earlier hour. VIII Haynes
was standing moodily near the kitchen
door, outside this time, while Mary was
seated on the step. Both were staring
! blankly into the twilight. There had
been angry words at tea time.
I'm going to watch the down ex-
press pass" said VIII suddenly.
He walked along the line for nearly
mile, until he saw the train COM
Ing. The signal was against 1t, and it
slowed down and stopped. This was
rather n surprise for Will Haynes,
but he supposed the company was
running an excursion on the main line
where the loop Joined farther on, and
excursions are always late. 1t was
rather strange that expresses should
be run on that loop at all. Will Haynes
had thought when he first took up his
duties, but he learned that the line
served as connection with the system
Of another company, and 1t was con-
sidered policy to run them.
These thoughts were passing through
Wills mind when he observed, in the
dim light, figure approach the train,
and then he noticed that a carriage
door was open. The figure climbed
onto the footboard and entered the car
riage, shutting the door just as the
train began to move. In half dozen
seconds the express was running past
him with steadily increasing speed.
VIII was curious and made his way
to the spot where he had noticed the
dark form. There was something be-
side the line. 1t proved to be a large
hamper More curious than ever, VIII
cut the twine that secured the Lid and
began to examine its contents. He
drew back with surprised cry, then
emitted n whistle, and sat down to
| llluh IL ON6T.
Yes, that will do it, IL I work the
thing all right" he said softly.
He took up the hamper in his strong
arms and carried it to the cottage
Placing 1t on the floor, which fortunate
ly had not been scrubbed since the
morning, and, without answering her
question, opened the lid and pulled
aside a light cloth. In the hamper
lay baby, just beginning to wriggle
and cry.
Somebody's left it OF the line" said
VIII simply, 80 I thought I'd bring 1t
here"
81 don't want other peoples brats,"
declared Mary harshly.
VIII was nonplussed, but he con-
trlved to hide the fact, and played his
part very we'll
"All right" he said coolly. "Ill 60
and see the policeman In the village,
and tell him. He must find somewhere
for 1t to go. But can't take the child
with me, so I'm afraid IN have to
leave il here till 1 come back. S'pose
you don't mind tending to 1t till then ~
Mary's face remained hard In ex-
preston, and VIII glided out before she
could reply. The baby began to whim-
per again and thin to cry Justify.
Poor thing" murmured Mary softly.
Its hungry and cramped."
She took 1t up and soothed 1t by
rocking 1t in her arms. She contrived
to give it some milk and water, feed