The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-22
TIE EVENING STOR r


Al SA&EC4 4OA4IAiAAESS AE AtfAkA
turned in early, and lay staring at the
stars and fitting telegraph poles. hour
a1ter hOur- His month OF vacation IT
the old home had been a disappoint-
nent- The Texas ranch would be
good, he thought His foreman would
pc glad to see him, and so would his
puppy. And vet, after all, there was
no one who really cared.
Hang 1t, he murmured. as he toss
ed back into the net his coat when
sudden Slowing of the train had thrown
violently into his face. Hang it,
wonder why on earth Betty Allis had
to take December, of all months, for a
pleasure trip west. The one month
out OF five years that might have given
me chance to see her and know her
again. wond"''
There was sudden darkness. Wilton
found himself groveling on the car
floor There was the maddening sense
OF the helplessness with which, in
nightmare, one fights for breath and
space. With fearful momentum, with
grinding, tearing and upheav1ng, the
car rolled half way to its SIDE seemed
to slide down and down, then with a
violent shock, stood still. The CHASTITY
silence that succeeded was as appal-
ling as the uproar had been. Wilton
lay still for a moment, waiting for ne
knew not what. Then he craWled TO
his feet, gathered his clothes from the
opposite section and rapidly dressed
himself.
Wonder what's happened ?" he
thought, breathlessly. Gee, smell that
gas And he started toward the rear
of the car.
AS his hand touched the stateroom
wall at the end of the aisle, girls
voice rang through the car Porter,
porter, I wish you would come help me
out Wilton stopped. Cad she
cool. anyhow" he thought, as he list
ened for the Dorter's response. None
came. The odor of gas was filling the
car He Ieaped to the opposite win
dow and kicked out a pane, letting IN
a food of cold air. Then, as quickly
as its angle would permit, he dashed
down the aisle to the other berth.
Let me help you, madam" he said
THE porter has deserted U.s."
st seem to be in a sort of well. my
berth is so tilted" answered the girl
If you could just lend me hand"
In a moment, a girlish form was
standing beside him. "Are we killed 2"
she asked, her voice trembling a little
in spite Of her brave tone.
Not yet answered Wilton, but
we'd better get out at once. The gas
tanks are leaking
Together they CROPPED down the aisle.
to find brakeman forcing his way
into the wreckage at the end Of the
car.
Any one hurt in here? ?" he asked,
flashing his lantern in their faces. THE
porter didn't stop to see"
All safe answered Wilton.
Whats the troubIe?"
open switch. Banged into coal
chute. Engineer and fireman killed.
Lot of coach passengers hurt. You are
the only Pullmans. Better get out of
this and he led the way up to the
steep embankment down which the
train had plunged, then trotted off
down the track, leaving them alone be-
side the tangle of trucks and rails that
marked the path of the wreck
Wilton picked up forgotten lantern
and for the first time turned to look
at the girl whom he had rescued.
Then he gave a great gasp of astonish-
nent. Betty Allfs! Where on earthi,f
Jack Wilton! where
The two stood silent in hearty
hand grasp. Suddenly Jack fell to
seized him
Betty Allis,' he repeated. ITO think
that some one that I knew and=that
knew, was in this catastrophe, and so
near death! It makes met makes
me-
Here Betty broke the tension with a
trembling little laugh that was none
the less merry.
But We are both safe and sound, 50
what's to worry us2 Let's find ont
where we both came from an Then
suddenly she became sober. First.
let's go see If we can be of any use
down there, and she glanced beyond
Wilton where fitting lanterns and a
confusion of voices marked the place of
real catastrophe Together thew hur-
ried down the tracks, to find that all
that could be done was being done for
the sufferers. and that now, all that
was possible was to wait for the wreck
ing train.
Wilton drew Betty away from the
crowd.
we can't help" he said, s.and YOU
are shivering with the cold. I'm going
back to get your coat and my traps
and yours. Then We will make a camp
here on the bank"
few minutes later found them toast
ing before q brisk little fire that Wilton
had kindled, while over in the east low
streanlers of pink. silhouetted the dull
outlines of mining village.
shall we try to find shelter in the
town." asked Wilton.
'Oh, no, = answered Betty. Lets wait
here
Wilton spread his hands contentedly
to the flames, while he stared so intent
ly at the girl opposite that her eyes
Wavered. Yes it was the same Betty
of five years before-yet not the same
Betty. She of five years before had been
child Of is. The woman Of % before
him was the fuIhl1ment of all the ear
lier promises of loneliness. Wflton's
heart beat more quickly as he looked
at the glowing sweetness of her face
Betty" he said, abruptly; Betty
why have you never written me all these
years."
Betty looked at him quickly This
nfTn, cIeaTzcut race was different from
the jolly boys features she had remen-
bered. And there was a new, frnpelHng
quality in his tones that she rather
liked.
Because, Jack" she answered. slow
". because you never wrote me-
f'Oh, but did he replied; three diff
ferent tines
Z never received the letters" she
said. ''You might have known that
Aunt Jane would take care of that
Wilton walked IN and down ros+FoseT--
half dozen times, and threw some
sticks on the fire before stopping ia
front Of the girl And now" he con
tinued. would you mind telling me why
you sent me away from you five years
ago?"
s.That was not Aunt James fault.
Jack" she said. eagerly. Indeed, you
must not blame her with that she