The midland journal., 1904-06-17
Reconei|ed by Eliza.

The local train, which had been
speeding out of town at the rate of
twelve miles an hour came suddenly
to a standstill with violent recall at
a level crossing in country lane, and
Reynolds, shaken out of his reverie,
opened the window, quite prepared for
an accident.
But as the view from the window re-
vealed only an impassive stretch OF
green he settled back to consider
more important question.
She was a friend and neighbor OF
the Potters. There was fair chance
that she might be seen at their house,
since an invitation to see her at her
own home had not been forthcoming.
That ten minutes tiff at the seaside
at Easter where they met had not in
the least detracted from her charm,
though it had entirely demolished his
welcome, and he would do much to be
near her for week-for that he gould
endure the Potters.
A moment later the little guard
came up to him.
81 beg pardon, mister he said,
lowering his voice to whisper, "but
you have bag there which looks as
if it might have musical instrument
in it."
"Why, yes," the young fellow an
swered in astonishment. My banjo"
"a banjo! That's lucky! What
tunes can you play? Can you play
Rule, Britannica"
Great scott! Why. yes, think so.
But what in the name of patience"
Then you are the man we want.
This way, sir, please. and as quick as
you can, If you don't mind. We can't
move the train an inch till she hears
Rule Britannia"
But what"
"It's the only thing that will start
her up. We've tried everything else.
Pushing, pulling, everything. She
sticks ON the rails like limpet to
rock. I wouldn't bother you, but
we're five minutes late already. You'll
be doing everybody a good Kindness
IL you'll come along and grind one
Reynolds caught up his banjo case
and hurried after the official, wonder
ing. as he went which of them had
gone insane, and whether the attack
would prove to be a permanent soft
ening of the brain Or merely a tenn
porary alteration.
A number of passengers had left the
train. They were gathering en- masse
around the portion of the level cross
ing which intersected the lane.
"Now, then, here comes Orpheus
and his lady!" cried a voice in the
crowd
For a moment the young man
stared about him with ever increasing
fears for his own mental condition.
Little by little light broke in upon
his brain.
A few yards only of line lay be-
tween the engine and the level cross
track at the crossing stood the OBJ
struction in full view. 1t was a small,
antiquated pony phaeton, drawn by
or, rather, attached to-a rotund
white mare.
The animal was neither standing,
the usual and approved attitude of
her kind, nor PROSTATE. as will some
times happen by accident. She was
sitting upon her glossy launches.
calm, almost biase expression in her
brown-green eyes
The carriage was occupied by two
women. One of them. a stout, elderly,
maiden-aunt-looking person, was en-
gagged in making vo.uble explanations
to a delighted crowd. The other,
girl in white, who leaned back among
the cushions and laughed, in evident
enjoyment of the situation.
At the sight of the girl Reynolds
drew back, with little cry of aston
isnnent, under his breath. Then he
ran forward, lifting his hat.
"Why, Miss Perry! I'm tremen-
dously sorry to find you-ahem-de-
layed in this way. What is the trou-
BILE? Can l be of any assistance?"
The pleasure which exuded from the
young mans face was not reflected in
that of the girls.
'How do you do, Mr.. Reynolds?"
she said. 'I'd no idea you were in
this part of the country. No. so far
as | am concerned you can be of no
assistance, l think. If the train peo-
pie want to try any experiments. of
course, they are welcome to do it for
the sake of getting the train ia mo-
sion. Aunt Milly. she added. turning
to her companion, ''you have heard me
speak Of Mr.. Reynolds? My aunt,