The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-12-16

over ana smashed, and men extracting
people from the debris and hclpilg
the wounded and injured
Cora found herself lineeling by the
side Of aggressive and freckled Dick
with whom she had sworn a lifelong
friendship but few hours before hold.
ing his hand In hers, while the blood
from an ugly cut on his head streamcd
down over her dark blue wrapper
staining and running its laces, while
she called to him and tried To bring
him back to consciousness
The bright glare from lantern fell
over him and a voice she seemed to
recognize said gently while two strong
arms raised the lad from the embank-
ment. where he lay Come with him
in the sleeper. he's hurt. but not
killed. Stay with him until | bring
help; there's a doctor somewhere. I'll
70 and find him
Cora followed Furgus Grey and did
his bIding, and Dicks mother, having
tainted with fright. the boys helped
the doctor In his skilIiul work when
he bandaged his head and set his
broken arm. giving Dick words of en-
couragemcnt and cheer which he ac-
knowledgcd with brave smile, while
wlnk!ng hraycly the tears OF pain
which came in spite Of all his courage
for It had to be quirhly done and thcr"
were others s'ill more rricyOusly hurt
waiting for the relief from mortal
agonios which only a physicians skilled
knowledge could give.
you are courageous little lad Won
stood It nobly, F'urgus Grey said when
II was over
Cora stopped and kissed Dick and
promised to stay with him untIl the
relief train came
II was while Cora was bending over
Dick that her sweet compassion and
singular beauty struck Furgus as in
hntely admirable
SON" women are perfect, others
are devils or worse still too cuntemp-
tible TO be- worth wasting thought
on was Furgus Groys reflection.
you look pale and worn out, you
must drink this" FurEus said, produc-
Ing flask and silver cup Come out
In the fresh air. it will do you good"
Leaving the wrecked train and work.
ing parties. the lights. confusion and
noise, they sauntcred on into the near
by wood, and sitting down on a fallen
tree trunk, watched the approach Of
dawn as It lighted and softenod and
broke smillngly over the scene.
You are very compassionate, | be-
tleve you would stand by a friend II
misfortune was to como to threaten.
wouldn't YOU" Furgus asked after n
pause, as they watched the Elorious
awakening Of another day wondering
why the beautiful face beside him
seemed so familiar, and how it was
that they had SO naturally fallen into
friendly chat and an understanding.
The handsome girl reminded him Of
little Cora. his sianch chum and play
mate, who always stood up for him
when the universal Reproduction pro-
claimed him terrible and wicked
II was her sianchnoss and faithful
ness. not spolll by the adulalion of her
world. which had made Furgus always
hold Cora mp as superior to the rest Of
her sex.
II she has not changed and the child
Is not spoili by the adulation Of her
world she Is remarkable woman
Furgus thought. the vague resemblance
between little Cora and the beautiful
Young woman sitting beside him call
ing up her image with wonderful dis
linctncss
Are not those the times when affec-
ton must be- wuosr?" Cora asked.
slowly.
Should he. bat is not always by any
manner Of means What would you
say Of woman throwing over the man
She was engaged To- because she be-
lieyed his mi~'s were flooded and use
less
81 would say that the man was most
lucky: that he ought to have gone on
his knees ana thanked Providence for
his drliyerancc
You are perfectly right it's rough
on fellow who thinks he cared des-
perately for a woman. who has been
ass enough TO imagine himself cared
for irrespective OF his possessions;
but, as you say, he should thank God
Tor his Gelycraucc. while it was yet
time
And the queer part Of the business
Is, continued 'urgus, smiling grimly
that It vas mistake about those
mines. The water did not harm them
and new vein has been located, which
adds to its value
Il am glad, was It you that discov-
cred it, Cora asked, turning TO Fur
gus, while the FIRST golden ray of sun
shine fell over her
Who are YOU | never knew but
one little girl who had that look"
Furgus said impulsively.
i've known you for hours, Furgus,"
Cora answered. but she did not tell him
who enlightened her as to his identity.
The wreckage was rapidly repaired,
and the wounded with trained nurses,
taken on a hospital car to the next
town
Your mother has promised me you
can come up to the mountains to get
well and strong. So hurry, Dick, I'll
be waiting for you," Cora said smiling
lovingly down at Dicks white, but
beaming face
"All right, will he be there? Grey?
That will be bully" Dick answered
back family
II was little after sunrise when
the train steamed towards the noun
,ains, leaving huddled unsightly de-
bris along the side Of the track be-
hind
On the back platform, at the back OF
The Pullman coach two people stood
looking out towards the mountains
just then glorihed by the magnificent
sunshine of n glorious June day, and
which they were fast approaching.