Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-07-02

! lANf'htNaf anu ~ hti hiohNe htAA uuA.
Which line, she wondered, gave the
longest ride for one fare?
"You may take me to the nearest
elevated station" she explained to
him, sweetly. but with nervous, i'm
passable decision, 'but no farther
The-the friends with whom / anu to
spend the night live too far out for
me TO allow you 10 go with me, es-
pecially as l am sure you must have
an engagement for this evening. l.
i shall be met at the other end"
Vaguely he OWNED some misfor-
tune, but was helpless. He accom-
panied her to the platform, through
the turnstile. TO the door of the
South Side car. Then, bowling and
Smiling, he said good night as the
train started, and she sat down TO
face her despair.
Surprising the cars should not run
all night, or that an "all out at the
next station" accident should hap
pen? And would the little heap of
small change in her pocletbook last
until daylight? And after daylight,
supposing she got so far in safety,
what then?
She rode to the end of the line,
changed cars and rode back 20 the
city. Twice she repeated this pro-
gramme, then decided, for no par
ticular reason, upon taking the
Douglas Park line. At the end of the
run-it was after II o'clock, the
night was as bitterly, chillingly cold
as only a March night can be, and
the station platform but poorly light
ed-her heart sank suddenly. She
sat still in the car, until the guard
approached her.
END Of the line, MISS" he said, re-
garding her curiously.
She looked up at him with wide eyes.
out Of which she could not keep the
tears.
IL want to keep on riding" she
explained, miserably. Twelve got |
so little money, and I've nowhere |
to go. But / think l can pay car
fare until the morning, If you'll let
me stay"
The guard, after a moment Of |
silent surprised scrutiny, went back
to the end of the car and shut him |
self outside il. The girl, her courage
utterly vanquished, dropped her head
on her breast and sobbed wretchedly,
under her breath. She was
still sobbing when Bruce Darke dashed /
up the steps and into the train Just as
IL started. He saw and recognized the
solitary figure on the in
slant; two minutes later, the troublous
truth In his possession. he was cast
ing about for ways and means of as
sistance. To lend her money would
be useless, even would she accept II,
for who would take her in at this
hour? The touch of the little hand
he was holding, quite unconsciously,
nerved him to great efforts, but how
to expend them? And then, as if in
direct answer 10 his urgent thinking.
the door of the car was once more
opened, and a man and woman-his
sister and her husband-came in.
"Look out of the window" he soft
Y commanded poor Esther. I'm
coming right back"
Down in the vacant seat beside his
sister he dropped.
"Sir, dear" he murmured, softly,
do you truly love me just as much
IS you ever did?"
whats the matter, old boy?" in
Iuired the loving but practical sister.
What do you want me 10 do?"
THAT girl there" murmured
Bruce, indicating Esther by a minute
GESTURE, sis a dear friend Of mine,
is, and the girl I'm going to marry ,
If she'll ever give me a chance TO
propose. She's alone in the city, ,
he's got no money, and she's trying 1
o ride up and down on these trains
II night because she's no place to
%. l just happened on her, acct
entally, although l saw her down.
own earlier in the evening, and
Vormed the truth out of her. She's
he incest, dearest, sweetest of girls,
is, and"
"She can come home with me, Of
curse, sonny" said the impulsive
irs. Sangster, returning his affec- I
ionate hand-pressure with interest.
I'm sure it will be all right, won't I
t. Jim?" appealing to her husband,
who from her other side, had lis {
ened to the story in calm and impas- :
i've silence
Yes" he said. with the air of one
Who delivers a weighty judgment, its
III right"
A moment later the soft swish Of
ilken skirts attracted Esther's sur
,rised attention, and the sister slipped
warm, tender, reassuring hand into
md about her own.
"My brother tells me you have
missed your friends and lost your way
md money" said Mrs. Sangster, using
Ter kindly-and brilliant-imagina- ,
ion freely. Now, my friends are my A.,
1rother's friends, and his friends are /
nine, so-you'H come home with me {
Until the morning, will you not?"
Long and hard-earned habits Of self
t. | 1