, 1905-04-12

In Johns spring buggy than in this
heavy wagon, which jolted and rum
bled over the rough country roads.
But still she felt very happy. Al
thoresi neither she nor John had
thought OF such an audacious thing as
his Offering to act as escort, yet the
presence of the buggy meant that he
intended to keep somewhere in her Vi
entity, to have an oversight of her
safety; perhaps he would wen go on
the train, riding In one of the adjoining
cars.
AS the load Of produce included eggs
and milk, progress would be slow, and
they had arranged for an early start,
but before half the distance had been
raveled they heard the sharp whir of
Johns approaching buggy wheels. Az
he flashed by he was bending over In
ostentatious search of something under
the seat, but he gave her a bashfui
side glance which plainly said: Don't
be uneasy, Dorcas. I'll see that things
go right"
By the time he Strengthened up he
was disappearing round a bend in the
road. But the glance had sent Il soft
color to her face which fingered there
through the long, rough ride until final
ly she was aroused by a gruff 'Jerusa-
lem! Whoa, there, Charlie!"
They were at the junction of two
roads. One led up to the station a
quarter Of a mile away; the other went
on to the village, two or three times
that distance. Jethro was looking at
her with dismay on his face.
what is it," she asked.
"Why-why-do you reckon you could
walk up to the depot?" persuasively.
"'Tain't but a step. You see," apollo
getically as he noted the surprise on
her face, Ben Pokey's wagons just
turning the corne down yonder, and
II he gets In town ahead of me he sells
his stuff, and If l get In ahead Of him
l sell my stuff, and If l sell my stun,
like Miss Betty counts on, why, she
amt going to fuss at M much. Seer
OF course I'm here to take you to tho
depot Inc will now IL you say tho
word, but it's bound to put me in be-
hind Ben. And faint but a STEP"
"Oh, I'll walk, Jethro." laughed Dor
cas-, and, placing a hand upon the end
of the seat, she sprang lightly to the
ground. And you needn't tell Betty
either"
1t was a very dainty figure that went
up the road toward the station, and,
though she did not know it, the rich,
soft goods in her frock, taken from the
a1I n1,ncf II, thn oo rrnt bod o0aip comm
into fashion.
A whistle sounded in the distance,
and Dorcas uttered a low cry of dis
may. The train was approaching, and
she had thought there was plenty Of
time. Could she make it by running?
But a swift glance toward the station
checked the impulse even as h s2"ang
forward. The station was stu an
eighth of a mile away, and she could
see. several carriages driving UP to it
and people standing On the platform.
What a spectacle it would be for them
to see a woman racing with the train!
Besides, she could not hope to reach 1t
in time. Jethro-
There was the swift approach of
carriage wheels, a pair of splendid
bays stopped beside her, and she look
ed up into the reassurlng face of Il
young drummer who was selling
moving machines in the neighborhood.
Before she was aware of his intention
he had sprung to the ground and lifted
her into the carriage n they were
whirling away, with q long, circling
cloud of dust trailing behind.
"Don't you worry, young lady" the
drummer shouted cheerily. "Ill get
you there all right"
What John Baldwin's feelings were
as he stood on the platform watching
none but himself ever knew. lie saw
Jethro stop and Dorcas get out; then
he heard the train whistle, and he saw
her start to run and realized that his
place was down there on the dusty
road by her side instead Of with the
curious people at the station. When
the drummer stopped and took her In
the young farmers face grew hard and
set with a frmness his lips had never
known before.
He was beside the carriage when 1t
stopped and helped her out. Then quiet
ly and authoritatively, with all the
spectators looking on, he drew her arm
within his own.
"Come, Dorcas," he said, I'VE must
hurry to catch the train. I'll get the
tickets. Yes" In answer to her won
dering expression, 'Tm going right on
with you to where your aunt lives-sit
in the anne seat, too, to keep off drum
mers and things. And 1 shall stay round