Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-03

He is fortunately not feVerish subject,
and at his age fever is what is most to
be feared. He was as cool as a cucum-
Der when l left him a while ago."
We walk side by side to the gate In
the barrier. Then the station master re-
marks:
"You are here to meet the express
from KonigsbergT
"Yes," l reply laconieally.
"You have had many disappoint-
ments," he continued; "it is some days
since first observed you waiting" He
smiles pleasantly. "Your height makes
you conspicuous"
"Yes," | respond, and involuntarily
my breast heaves with a sigh; 81 have
been expecting a friend this four days"
He rolls back the gate and invites me
to pass through with him.
Il hope your perseverance may be re-
warded this evening"" he politely hopes.
"Ah, here she isr' This, as the shrek
of the whistle is heard.
l know not after this whether he ouits
me or remains, / am conscious only of
the train curving into the station. The
platform is at once a scene Of confusion.
i'll which l move hither and thither in
wild distraction. Ny eyes dart every
where among the alighting passengers,
and into the recesses OF the dimly illu-
mined carriages. In vain. Nowhere see
l Maruscha.
There is lady in one of the carriages
who is small and slight like my Maru-
scha. Her face is averted. She is col
lecting her effects from the net above
her head, and a porter, who is already
well laden, stands ready to receive them.
l press forward to the door. She turns
turns to me an old, female face, that
peers at me with a startled look from un-
der a dark travelling hood.
! am now darting off toward . proun
OF struggling women near one of the
luggage vans.
vladimir
The voice is joyous as the enraptured
trill of the lark direct from the gates of
heaven! 1t is Maruscha's voice.
Vladimir; am herew
A little gloved hand is resting on nv
arm arresting me; it's touch shoots to
my heart like an electric shock and takes
away my breath; look into a pair of
blue eyes, upturned to me; dancing in
joy, brimming with tears-deep wells Of
love, all ine!-Maruscha's eyes!
'Maruscha-at lastv' / gasp.
My arms surround her, and we kiss
each other as a pair Of beautiful lovers
might kiss when they meet in Paradise,
with the world and its sorrows behind
them, and before them an eternity Of
| blissful union.
l suppose it Is the platform of rail-
way station / am treading, and not the
streets of gold" and the stir and tur-
moil of the work-a-day world that is
around me, and not the rustic Of angels
wings; but it matters not to me which
it is, for it is verify Maruscha who walks
beside me, making some ordinary obser-
vation about her luggage. Two trunks,
l think she says she has with her. and
she winds up with Vladimir, thou art
not little bit improved with thy trav.
els! Thou art as absent-minded as ever
l know by thy looks that thou hast moi
taken in word Of what have been say.
ing to thee"
| laugh. And thou, Maruscha. art
not yet cured. Of thy vain habit; thou
art still the same little scoldw | retail
late.
AS we are leaving the station, man
l must have seen somewhere before
smiles at me and even takes my hand
and presses 1t in passing.
All, it is the station master-it flashes
on me! l turn and wave back at him
l take off my hat and swing it. He looks
after us, returning my greeting with a
broadening smile The driver stands
waiting for orders.
Where shall tell him to drive, Ma.
ruscha? The seventh heavenY' mur-
mur mischievously.
Maruscha is so bewitching when she
assumes that little air Of outraged dig.
nifty, with her lips trying to purse, yet
trembling with suppressed mirth.
"Stein-Strasse, No. 79," l say to the
driver with perfect solemnity.
1T is well that he comprehends not
thy foolish talk" observes Maruscha,
"or he might take thee for an escaped
lunaticr'