The Washington times., 1908-04-12
CHAPTER III.
WHEN LOVE AND DUTY MEET
That IN fafAfI1I fIrnes there come

O11L14 l. LII -
WHEN LOVE AND DUTY MEET
That N fatsfuI times there come
alarms from every cardinal point Of
living nature Miss Sylvia Weaver. in
the nOw-blookaded train. vas acutely
aware.
For three long days the cars and en-
gines had lain inactive lost IN the
frozen mountains. During that first
trying day the severed coaches had
been once more reunited. but all
thought of going forward had been ut
terly abandoned On the second day a
fresh storm had rendered even re-
treat impossible. The trainmen had
manager TO fiEd an end of the broken
telegraph wire and 10 send in a mes
sage of their plight. The reply had
come that trains behind them were
likewise blocked, including the one
that carried a crew OF shovelers. in
tended TO effect their rescue. There
was nothing to be done but wait.
The noon OF this third day found the
passengers wretched. Food supplies
were becoming aIarmingly scarce; the
sky was overcast and threatening
more snow; the cold was undimin-
ished.
With all of this 10 think upon, Syl-
Was anxiety was Of double wool. She
shared in the common apprehension,
but within herself she felt a deeper
alarm. It was not for Dummy. for that
quaint bit OF humanity had swiftly re-
covered his accustomed spirits and
was now the one unfailing sunbeam OF
the many-jointed house Of cars. No
her doubts ana fears were all encased
in her own trrepressible heart
II only Allan Kennedy wOr not be
so kindl II only the train could have
finished It's Journey on timel She
thought Of a score of ifs that could
not work a change in things already
done. and then again she was lace 10
face with barren facts.
She was sitting alone in her seat
Gazing out OF the window on the con-
gress or mountain giants rObed so for
biddingly, she felt that the outcome OF
the situation was quite as inscrutable
as fate itse,f-the fate which had
schemed to bring her once more to the
country of her birth.
She loyod the land, the might e1-
altation Of it's peaks, and yet she al
most feared it. A warm little lamp IL
but IT gave her no light by which 70
see her path. Was It really the slowly
awakening love that she ought TO feel
for the man she had come so far 10
meet and marry? or might IL be the
new. sweet laughter of her heart. re-
spending Unbidden 10 the glad emo
lions springing so constantly from the
eyes of Allan Kennedy?
She dared not think. This white
blockade-hOw long would IT last,
keeping them here so close together
She had no right 10 wish for greater
delay. and yet-what sort OF a man
was Jerry Kirk, who had called her
hither from across the continent? And
what was 10 be the end Of her pill
grimage2
She tried once more 20 supply the un-
known administration. indeed. she
would have reached already with the
train. Yet how could she know the
heart Of a man she had never seen
how construct him from a photograph,
Allotted by package OF his letters?
She took his picture from her satche!-
AS ever. the eyes gazed smllingly ous
from the bit OF inanimate paper and
look OF strength. youth, and whole
someness was there. She liked this
photograph, With the name Jerry
Kirk inscribed beneath Il. Somehow
ali the hope she known IN the dark,
sad days OF her mothers final sleep
was linked with a thought Of The man
who had sent her this token II was
something resembling love she felt for
Jerry Kirk. and yet
His letter was here in her pocket.
For the twentieth time she drew it
forth and glanced it through.
''Since your fathers death. little
friend" she read. Il have wondered
and wondered if have the right TO go
on writing and feeling the same as 1
did before The way we started to
, sending these letters. you and 1. was
mighty pleasant, and It did me lots of
good to have the little notes come
along in the letters from your dad.
loved him, I reckon. all the more for
his letting me share a little bit Of the
real home-feelings which I'd never
have had but for this. Well. don't
know what / ought TO write you now.
I've thought il all over till I'm broke
on thoughts, and it always cores the
same old way. I'd Ike you 10 come
out hera and be my wife-that's how il
works out every time. You can't live
all alone. you and little Dummy and
you shouldn't be made 20 try IL. Al
least that's the way I feel about IL.
Perhaps you'd ike this country
where you first saw the SUM- the let
ter went on. What DO you say 7
own 81 amt all unselfshness. for I've
grown to think OF you constantly.
Your letters are more 10 me than any
thing I've ever had in the world.
want you ard Dummy 20 come out here
to come home. II you feel god can't,