Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-11-03

mid, rising nervously. the lovely color
coming and going In the soft checks,
Hardly daring TO credit his good for
tune, he made a path for her through
the crowded car to the open air, where,
looking ahead, he saw ms pretty a
wreck as the most ardent lover could
desire. A freight train had come to
grief. One car wds derailed; the other
lay nat on its side across the track, OBJ
stinately resisting all efforts Of the
wrecklng crew TO put It right side up
again. The conductor announced that
It would be an hour, perhaps two. be-
fore the train could go on. Martha's
companion looked at her triumphantly.
Truly, fate had shown a nice under
standing CT the situation.
Some OF the passengers walked slow
~ back to their places; others climbed
the hllly slope or wandered down
through the woods to the brook below.
Martha hesitated, a trife uncertain,
and then. because he seemed to take
her going with him so entirely as a
matter Of course, she followed him
through the woods, and he found a
seat for her on a low, fiat rock by the
brook and stood, tall and straight, be-
fore her.
Don't you think" he began-"that
is. l hope you won't be offended
He Redeemed. conscious that he was
making a mess Of It. Then he took out
his card case abruptly. MAY 1 give
you my cardT' he ended simply.
ooh, no; you mustn't-please don't!"
she cried.
He stood ~bewlldered, n little hurt.
Don't you sec" she explained, that
II Is just because we do not know each
other that NIL this"-waying her hand
vaguely-"is p~osslbleT'
lie laughed outright. Now, I should
have thought" he said, settling himself
comfortably at her feet. that it would
be more-possible-if l could say, Are
you quite comfortable, Miss er -
SmithY"
She shook her head.
"No; it wouldn't do at ALL" she OBJ
jected.
"But I am going to know you" he
insisted resolutely.
How she asked demurely.
81 shall call and present my creden-
tials to your family"
The vision Of poor Aunt Clara con-
fronted by this inslstent young man
was too much for Martha's gravity,
and she laughed Historically.
Indeed! And where shall you callF'
she gasped.
He laughed with her, and then a sud
den constraint fell on them both. He
broke it, and his voice was low and
earnest
"WiIl you not tell me where 1 may
find your" he asked.
AT Stockbrldge inn," she whispered.
His face was radiant as he studied
his time table intently.
"a train leaves Pittsfeld at 3 tomor-
row afternoon. l should be there by
a." he said.
Mrs. Reid drove OF, brlstllng witt
righteous indignation. IL was Dat
enough that Martha should have ar
rived hours late the night before. L
was inexplainable that she should re
fuse to drive and insist upon spending
the afternoon in her room.
THANK goodness, her aunt comes
tomorrow" murmured Mrs. Reid.
In the meantime Martha threw dowI
the book she had been trying to reaC
and hastily opened her door.
For meg" she questioned ~anxiOusly
The bell boy eyed her uncertainty.
"He asked for the young lady al
come last night" he said doubtfully.
That's all right" returned Martha
beaming. SAY that 1 viii be down il
a minute"
She Strengthened her stock at thu
mirror and gave her hair an approving
little pat. Then she turned over tn
card In her hand and regarded it witt
amazement.
"AIr. John Clark Chamberlain sh,
gasped.