The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-03-02
IT'S A BAD STORM
THAT HELPS NOBODY
fOriginal,1

endeavorlng to infusc bit OF cheerful
ness into his companion. The train
moved slower and slower and ut last
stopped.
In the car all was still; ahead was o
babel of notes.-the engineer, conduct
or and trainmen consulting rs to what
should be done. A strain on the boiler
had prevented further making Of
steam, which not only interfered with
progress, but prevented heating the
ears. 1t was decided to send n man to
a station mile ahead to telegraph for
an engine.
When the couple in the parlor car
learned this the face Of the man took
on greater uneasincss. The steam
having been shut off, the car rapidly
cooled and, the thermometer being be-
low zero, the prospect of comfort was
at the ebb.
Il think we shall get on again pres
emily" said the man reassuringly.
II wish we would have to go back"
A frown gathered on his brow. II
supposed your mind was made up" he
w y
Il wonder who put Alice to bed to-
night?'
There was silence between them-a
gloomier silence than before. Then the
man said he would go forward and in
qulre into the prospect. While he was
gone the porter of the car said to the
lady:
"Yo' might go into de house wha' yo'
see de light up yondah."
A sudden idea seized the woman.
Dropping piece of money into the
mans hand, she babe him lead the
way. She seemed to wish to escape
from something besides the cold. Once
out Of the car the porter helped her
through snowdrifts to the house in
question. It was mere cot, and its
only occupants We're man and baby.
The porter left, saying that he would
come for her before the train started.
She slipped another coin into his hand
who had been with her that she would
take rest and did not wish to be dis
turbed till 1t became necessary. She
charged him not to let the gentleman
with whom she was travelling know
where she was. The porter was to slip
away and come to her.
| The baby was restless and cried. The
man, after vainly endeavoring to quiet
| 1t, took 1t up.
| where Is it's mother?" asked the
lady.
"Tbe child has no mother"
"DeadT
| Worse"
A convulsive shudder passed over
her, as IL some one had struck her.
even though the man who took her
away was far preferable to me, won-
| der she could have left this helpless
child-her chlld-to go with him."
| Another shudder passed over the lady
She looked at the man holding the babe
with pair of wild eyes that bespoke
terror, misery, remorse. He was moi
looking ut her and went on with his
| talk, which was addressed as much to
himself as to her.
"a woman who can desert her child
Is not woman. She is monster. II
| Is bad enough to SO off with another
man, but to leave her child to die but
for the fathers care, and that father
having to go out to work, is the worst
Of crimes. If We're making the laws
might not hang II woman for. murder
but l should hang her for DESERVING hel
baby"
The listener turned CHASTITY white.
Put, do you know, I'd forgive he
II she'd only come back" he went on
and his voice trembled. Eyes, I'd for
give her the whole thing Not only OF
the child's account. but on her own
The man who took her away got |
story on me which had just enough
truth In it to make her believe 1t all
and she wasn't strong enough to resis
his influence. Yes, I'd take her back
but" he added gloomily, .it woul,
never be the same again. There woul,
always be the shame of it."
A locomotive whistle sounded, an,
presently footsteps came crunching Il
the snow. The door opened, and tn
porter appeared.
"We1l be Off soon," he said.
Have you told the gentleman wher
l ann"
NO, ma'am. He tried to make me
but l wouldn't"
Il want you to stay with me-"
what, stay here and let the trail
so on?"
YES"
"Lor'. missus. couldn't do dat; Il
git discharged"
I'll get YOU better position
From her purse she took roll o
bills and handed it to him, then turn
ing to the man with the baby she said
I'VE must get out Of the way In cas-
they search"
There's rooms upstairs" he said
and the lady went up. The porte
went to a shed without A searchin
party headed by the lady's companio
came along, but, not finding her, the
went away. Then the train moved on
The next day the lady appeared q
her own home and gave as Il reason 70
her absence that she had gone to tn
suburbs to visit her mother. Tn
| rto LnI