The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-03-27
LEFT BY THE EXPRESS.
A Station Masters Story

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 winters!" re-
turned Mary angrily. when ] say
I've nothing to do, Of course can make
work. ! have to. or / should eat my
heart out. ! look at the trains ana
see the happy people, ana IL hurts me
so that have TO turn to and do some
hOusework. | scrub the kitchen floor
in the morning, ana / often scrub II
again In the afternoon. When those
feelings come over me. ] have TO do
something, or I'd go mad. stark, staring
mad! SO | get the soap and water
and scrubbing brush, and / work on
that kitchen floor to relieve 'emr'
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 OK
press pass" said VIII suddenly.
He walked along the line for nearly
mile, until ne saw the train com
ing. The signal was against IL, and It
slowed down and stopped. This was
| rather surprise for VIII 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
he run on that loop nj all, VIII Haynes
had thought when he first took up his
| duties, but he learned that the line
served as connection with the system
or another company, and it was con-
sidered policy TO run them.
These thoughts were passing through
wills mind when he observed in the
dim light, n figure approach the train
and then he noticed that 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 n dozen
seconds the express was running past
him with steadily increasing speed.
VIII was curious and made his way
to the spot whcre he had noticed the
dark form. There was something be-
side the line. II proved to be n large
hamper More curious than ever, VIII
cut the twinc that secured the lid and
began to examine its contents. He
drew back with surprised cry, then
omitted Q whiCtln md 1ntvn 10
think II over.
"Yes, that will do It. IL work the
thing all right" he said softly.
He took up the hamper in his strong
arms and carried il 10 the cottage.
Placing IL 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 IL on the line" said
VIII simply, 80 l thought I'd bring II
here"
IL don't want other peoples brats."
declared Mary harshly
Will was nonplussed. but he con-
trived 10 hide the fact, and played his
part very well.
"All right" he said coolly. "Tn 60
and see the policeman in the village,
and tell him. He must find somewhere
for II TO so. But can't take the child
with me, so I'm afraid I'll have 10
leave IL here till l come back. S'pose
YOU don't mind tending 10 il til them
Mary's face remained hard in ex-
preston, and viii glided out before she
could reply. The baby began To whim-
per again and then to cry Justify.
Poor thing" murmured Mary softly.
Its hungry and crampcd."
She took 1t up ana soothcd u by
rocking IL I'm her arms. She contrived
to give IL some milk and water. feed
ing il with little drops in n teaspoon.
Then IL dropped into n slumber OF peace
and innocence. and Mary sat with 1t
in her arms and waited
| Ii was nearly 10 o'clock before VIII
returned and he found Mary still sit.
ting with the baby asleep in her arms.
She held up her head with n warning
| expression on nCT race as ne entered
rather noisily with his heavy boots.
"S.s-sh! You'll wake her Willw
why didn't you put her in bedy" In
quired VIII in stage whisper. Been
holding her all this timer"
II couldn't turn the clothes down
without disturbing her" replied Mary
in the same tone. "and she's so COM
fortably and easy like here. that was
afraid to venture. You can do IL
now"
VIII moved across the kitchen TO
90 To the bedroom. but he made so
much noise that Mary stopped him.
Hadn't you better take your boots
offi' she demanded. You'll wake her.
sure enough
VIII removed his heavy boots and to-
gcther they stepped lightly together
into the bedroom. he turned down the
clothes and she tenderiy deposited her
human burden.
"She locks all right thsrC. don't she 20