The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-08-05
ON THE
SPECIAL
BY F. b. 6Urisbf
COPYRIGHT, 1903, bp I. c. Mcclure


There WAS Il ring in the voice that
caught Hugh Morton's attention. He
locked up. The girl In black who had
interested him when she entered the
at the ticket window, and the agent
was explaining that the night train
due at Bellmur Junction Mt 1890 was
two hours late. Morton himself was
waiting for that train.
Yes. miss. I'm certain. Just received
word. Twelve thirty anyway, and 1t
may be later"
BAT the train from Parkervillc on
the other road gets In at 20, doesn't
1t? Isn't there some train out of here
before 1t comes? Anything n freight
"No'm; nothing until the fifty three"
answered the man In II 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 nll," she said In
voice whose trembling showed that 1t
out on the platform. leaving Morton
wondering
Why was she SO pale? Why was she
80 impatient To get away Why so
anxious to leave before the train from
Parkeryille 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 II truck crying SO bitterly that
she did not hear Morton ns he approch
ed. moved by generous impulse.
You are In some trouble? Can't
be of some help?'
The girl raised her head with start,
hurricdly wlpIng away the tears. No;
it's beyond help | 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 Gun
see I'm a gentleman"
The girl seemed to shrink from him
ITS nothing mere nervousness. II
was kind In you TO ask, though, and
thank you. | would accept If II 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 telcgraphy years be
fore, and 1t amused him To rend the
clicking OF the key There was the best
part Of n message coming In now. Click
click. click, click click click dress
slender brown hair twenty two; sher
iff up on II If there" When the mes
sage ended the agent glanced out on the
platform toward where the girl was
scented. Then ne tcicgraphcd bnck,
Girl here can't leave; - late"
So this WIS the reason of the girls
agitation, thought Morton. She had
committed some crime, poor thing, and
the law was on her track; the law, 80
powerful and relentless; she so helpless
and alone. Morton Ind 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 nm undertonc;
"I've accidentally learned something
which concerns you very much.
don't know what the trouble IL, but
they are coming here after you, and
felt must warn you"
The girl started up with clasped
hands. "Oh, Eve been afraid Of this!
What can do, what can | do
"rhcrc's no time to lose. The sheriff
Will be here in fifteen minutes. You
must get away"
GLOW? There's no chance. oh, If
only my train had been on time 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. If
the sheriff doesn't find you here when
he arrives he'll think you are In the
nelghborhood surely, and he'll stop to
search the village That Will take him
until morning. The next station north
IL Ncwboro fifteen miles. We have
over an hour In which to make 1t. VIII
you take the chanceY
"Yes any chance. | haven't really
done anything wrong and If ] can es-
cape"
"Qulck, then, Go over to that shed
on the other tracks and wait"
The girl disappeared, and Morton
sauntercd into the waiting room. i've
bad headache and decided I'd better
not travel VIII the hotel be open|
"Open until 30 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 to
lose" he said He had noticed TINT
afternoon n hand car on II siding near
the street and went to It.
'IIelp me to push H." he directed,
Easy, though The agent must not
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 up
to the station. "Now," lie cried, I'VE
must push ahead Their noise Will
drown ours"
Jhey jumped hDOHTu anu, BThSpiuB
the levers, started off and in moment
were swinging northward under the
stars, with the station lights growing
fainter In the distance.
TIE pumping was hard. for the grade
was uphill, and for half an hour moth
ing was heard but the clanking stroke
OF the levers, the pounding OF the
wheels and the labored breathing OF
the man and woman. The girl looked
exhausted and Morton felt as though
there was glowing furnace In his
chest How long could he last Outl he
wondered Then he felt the car run
easier. and then-they had reached the
crest OF the grade and started down
ward. Morton looked at his watch. II
was II o'clock.
1--WE make 1t now" he said. "You
rest"
The girl sank YEARLY upon the plat
form, while the ear sped through woods
and meadows, ratified over bridges and
ElaA - L., ~