The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-03-05
RS A BAD sTORM
THAT HELPS NOBODY
lorlsinal.

lOrIsinall
| The train had been creeping along
| through the darkness for an hour or
more, working It's way in the teeth OF
blizzard. There We're few people In
the parlor car, but among them were
man and woman who attracted the
attention Of the others. The woman
| sat modify unmlndful Of what was 60.
ing on about her: the man was alter
nately peering out of the window and
endeavoring 10 infuse bit of cheerful
ness into his companion, The train
moved slower and slower and at last
stopped.
In the car all was stlll ahead was q
babel Of notes.-the engineer, conduct
or and tranmen consulting as 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 man 10
a station Il mile ahead TO telegraph for
au engine.
" 'th thC Noufit III lhG ptt WI
learned this the face OF the man took
OH greater uneasiness The steam
having been shut off, the car rapidly
cooled and. the thermometer being be
low zero, the prospect of comfort was
Mt the ebb.
Il think we shall get on again pres
entity" SAID the man reassurngy.
stT TIT. 4 i.
A frown gathered on his brow. Il
supposed your mind was made up he q
said. What has come over you:"
Il wonder who put Alice to bed TO-
night?"
There was silence between thern--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. 1t was mere cot, and lts
only occupants were man and baby
The porter left saying that he would
come for her before the train started.
She slipped another coin into his hand
and asked him to tell the gentleman
who had been with her that she would
take rest and did not wish to be dis
turbed till Ii 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 10 her.
The baby was restless and cried. The
man. after vainly endeavorins TO quiet
ii. took II up.
where is its mothery' asked the
lady.
The 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 20 me, won
der she could have left this helpless
chiid-her chld-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 not
looking at her and went on with his
talk. which was addressed as much to
himself as to her.
"a woman who can desert her child
il not a woman She is monster. II
is bad enough to go Off with another
man, but 10 leave her child TO die but
for the fathers care, and that father
having TO 60 out TO work, Is the worst
OF crimes. IL were making the laws
| might not hang woman for murder.
but should hang her for deserving her
baby"
The listener turned a CHASTITY white.
But. do you know. I'd forgive her
il she'd only come back" he went on.
and his voice trembled. YES. I'd for
give her the whole thing Not only on
the chlld's account. but on her own.
The man who took her away got
story on me which had just enough
truth In 1t To make her believe IL all.
and she wasn't strong enough to resist
his influence. Yes. I'd take her back
but" he added gloomlly. lit would
never be the same again. There would
always be the shame of IT,"
4 locomotive whistle sounded, and
presently footsteps came crunching 81
the snow. The door opened, and the
porter appeared.
Wen be of soon." he said.
Have you told the gentleman wherr
! ann"
NO, ma'am. lie tried to make me.
but | wouldn't, s,....,
Il want you TO stay with me-"
What. stay here and let the train
go Ony'
Yes"
"Lor'. missus. I couldn't do dat; I'd
git discharged"
"Tll get you better position"
From her purse she took a roll o.
bills and handed II TO him. then turn
ing to the man with the baby she said
I'VE must get out OF the way in dasc
ST.