Smyrna times., 1905-09-20

said, rising nervously, the lovely color |
coming and going in the soft cheeks. |
Hardly daring to credit his good for
tune, he made a path for her 5slrough
the crowded car to the open air, where,
looking ahead, he saw as pretty a
wreck as the most ardent lover could
desire. A freight train had come to
grief. One car was derailed; the other
lay flat on it's side across the track, OBJ
stinately resisting all efforts of the
wrecking crew to put 1t 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 of the. situation.
Some of the passengers walked slow
ly back to their places; others climbed
the hilly slope or wandered down
through the woods to the brook below.
Martha hesitated, trif1e uncertain;
and then, because he seemed to take
her going with him so entirely as a
matter of course, she followed him
u
seat for her on low, fat rock by the
brook and stood, tall and straight, be-
fore her.
Don't you think" he began-"that
is, 1 hope you won't be offended
He reddened, conscious that he was
making mess of it. Then he took out
his card case abruptly. MAY 1 give
you my card?" he ended simply.
| "Oh no; you mustn't-please don'tw
| she cried.
| He stood bewildered, little hurt.
| Don't you see," she explained, "that
it is just because we do not know each
other that all this'-waving her hand
vaguely-"is possibleF"
He laughed outright. "Now, should
have thought" he said, settling himself
comfortably at her feet, that it would
be mOre-possible-if could say, Are
you quite comfortable, Miss - -er -
Smith,"
She shook her head.
''No; it wouldn't do at ALL" she OBJ.
| jected.
"But 1 am going to know you," he
insisted resolutely.
Howl she asked demurely.
81 shall call and present my creden
tials to your family"
The vision of poor Aunt Clara con
fronted by this insistent young mar
was too much for Marthas gravity
and she laughed Historically.
Indeed! And where shall you call?'
she gasped.
, He laughed with her, and then a sud
den constraint fell on them both. H
broke it, and his voice was low an,
earnest.
: "Will you not tell me where 1 ma
find yOu?" he asked.
"At Stockbridge inn," she whispered
His face was radiant as he studie
: his time table intently.
, "a train leaves Pittsfeld at 8 tomoI
| row afternoon. I should be there b
t A." he said.
e Mrs. Reid drove off, bristling wit
4 righteous indignation. 1t was ba
t enough that Martha should have a
rived hours hate the night before.
:. was inexplainable that she should r
G fuse to drive and insist upon spendiI
n the afternoon in her room.
J. THANK goodness, her aunt conn
1, tomorrow" murmured Mrs. Reid.
A, In the meantime Martha threw dow
II the book she had been trying to res
d and hastily opened her door.
IT "For me?" she questioned anxiousl
,e The bell boy eyed her uncertainty.
HE asked for the young lady
o. come last night" he said doubtfully.
b. That's all right" returned Martt
lg beaming. Say that 1 will be down
a minute"
IL She Strengthened her stock at
he mirror and gave her hair an approvi
IN little pat Then she turned over
ed card in her hand and regarded it w
at | amaZement.
IT "Mr. John Clark Chamberlin" S
ed gasped.