The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-15
ON THE SPECIAL
By F. B. WRIGHT

was working quickly Listen! # the
sheriff don't find you here when he ar
rives he'll think you are in the neigh
borhood 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. I haven't really
done anything wrong-and II can
escape" -. 49, II.
"Quicl, them! Go over to that shed on
the other tracks and wait"
The girl disappeared and Morton saun-
tered into the waiting-room. I've bad
headache and decided I'd better not
travel. Will the hotel be open?"
"Open until 90 comes in"
Much obliged Goodnight"
Morton picked up his satchel and
started towards the hotel. Then he
doubled across the tracks to where the
girl was waiting. $50 ..-
Hurry! There's not much time. to
lose,'' he said. lie had noticed that aft
ernoon hand-car on a siding near the
street and went to it. .
Help me to push it," he directed.
Easy, though. The agent mustn't
hear -. ~. .--~
Together they showed the car gently
along the rails and into the darkness. Far
| train.
Morton waited until it Numbered up to
| the station. Now he cried. I'VE
| must push ahead. Their noise will drown
| ours
They jumped aboard and, grasping the
levers. started off. and in 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 nothing
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 glow
ing furnace in his chest. How long could
he last out, he wondered. Then he felt
the car run easier and then-they had
reached the crest of the grade and started
downward. Morton looked at his watch.
1t was now II o'clock. .-, o..
I'VE make it now he said. "You
rest
The girl sank YEARLY upon the platform.
while the car sped through woods and
meadows, ratified over bridges and rum
bled past walls of rock.
It wish I could ever thank you,' she
said, looking up, her face clear in the soft
starlight.
"You have-many times"
''Rut mean in words. don't know
l.
I helped me- May tell you why am run
ming away
You needn't unless you wish. I know
you've done nothing wrong. You
t couldn't"
T want to tell you. I couldn't bear-at
least. mean I want you to understand.
= It wasn't wrong. I don't think you'll say
= it was wrong. You see, my mother died
: a few days ago-and oh, I loved her So
2 and my stepfather hated me. He was
r cruel to me and cruel to her. even at the
4 last. After she was buried he was worse
4 than ever, and yesterday he told me
t must leave his house, was glad to go
y only too glad. I asked him for my moth
er's little trinkets things she had had a.
e girl, few little bits Of jewelry my own
father had given her, and her picture.
:, She told him on her death bed they were
he refused me- Said the law gave them
t to him. I told him would take them.
v and he threatened me with the jail if ]
did, told me he would have me dragged
= through the streets like a common crimt-
/. nal. -.. ~. - -, 80 =. =, .
s To-day he left the house for a mo-
k ment, and broke open his desk and took
y them and ran away. I thought l could
reach the city before he could catch me
= and once there he would never find mt
: and could live happily alone
e The girl hid her face and cried. Morton
d longed to comfort her. but he felt it wa:
it best to let her have her cry out.
e you are going alone to the city witt
J. no plans. no money. knowing no one?" III
<, asked when she became quieter.
- II can be lost there and safe from him
n I can find work. I'm not afraid"
d He returned no answer, but the though
n of this friendless, innocent unprotected
n girl, exposed 10 all the dangers of a grea
t city was more than unpleasant.
The car was slackening speed now, ant
S far up the road were the lighted Window
l. Of 9 station. Morton brought the car t,
le a standstill. p. :. &
r 1--WE must ditch it," he said, and to
ID gether they lifted and tugged until tn
IF ma chine. was down the bank. Then il
lie silence they went on to the station, ant
is Morton bought tickets from sleepy clerk
re "Would you mind telling me you
name?' he asked as they walked togethe
lg in the darkness.
It Mildred Clarke: I feel as though yo
re knew it, you've been so good, so kinda
st kind as a friend could be-if had one.''
Far down the track sounded the whistl
Is. of So.
In Mildred, I want to be more than
friend. You put your trust in me to rel
if YOU tc-night-won't you trust me longer
ou let me help you for all my life?"
The light of the engine fell full upo
ly the upturned face of the girl
irl YES" she said softly.
Then the night express bore them fol
ep ward Ito that new world which Is tn
in old"