The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-18
A TRAIN TO JOY.
After the Crash There Came a
Shock and a Surprise.
By ANITA WENTWORTH.

gown. much against Aunt Nykirk' j
will. and the latter had said disagree
able things in consequence, even going
so far as to prophesy that something
would happen.
But what could ''happenr Simply
nothing. Was not this the old reliable
evening train, forever on time and
without a hint of hoodoo or any other
bloodeurdllng thing in its record?
OF coursel Rose Engle settled the
question satisfactorily in her own
mind and from a multitude Of femi-
nine trinkets in her wrist bag fished
out her ticket and waited complacent-
ly for the conductor. BY and by, as
the 'old reliable" rolled along, the
moon came up, revealing the land
scape in picturesque panorama, and
the owner of the blue and white
gown laughed at the prophecy, fiatten-
ed her pretty nose against the dusty
pane and fell to enjoying the scenery.
Suddenly above the peaceful hum Of
the train rose demoniac shrieks from
two locomotives The next moment a
terrific shock sent the passengers in
all directions.
Out from beneath the wreckagc OF
the shattered northbound crawled a
half dozen men and women, one with
n cruel slash across the left cheek and
another with broken arm, while the
remaining -four were only shaken
up"
Among the latter Rose Engle strug.
gied to her feet and stood, white and
trembling. cndcavoring TO grasp the
possibility Of the "old reliable" max
ing such departure.
While the others began the search
for their belongings or for friends less
lucky than themselves she stood still,
wondering whether it was the blue
and white gown or the wickednesH OF
her intention which fulfilled Aunt Ny.
kinks prophecy.
Not since the word from up north"
that Jack had gone back 20 hlb old
habits and was actually sowing his
earnings broadcast Ind she taker.
time for sober second thought. A year
ago. when she kissed him goodby in
the low doorway before he went %
the Klondikc. be had pledged himself
90 continue in well doing. and she had
rested in his promise.
Often she entertained herself pictur.
ing the home hey planned 10 have or
his return. one with a large. airy kitch.
On. plenty OF sunshine and lots Of hap.
pinese
But when the WORD" came she do.
cided that Jack Eneie's wife was a
shamofuliy neglected woman, especial.
~ as ho had not written for months
Then wild determination TO bo free
from the man who had gone back 60
his old habits aud didn't care seized
her, and.-wcll. here shc was on her
way 20 begin legal proceedings for q
separation and stranded and alonel
Aunt Hykirk's parting shot rang in
her ears as she chung 90 n twisted sec.
ton Of the vestibule.
sid expect something 10 happen II |
should start on such an errand. bank
ing only on heaEsBy and wearing my
wedding dress. Bless met when folks
take the bit Ia their teeth aud rush
hcadlong ! always think of Jonah"
shaky little Mrs. Engle cast a horFi.
fed glance down over the blue and
white gown. now Htroked with dust
and CRIME and torn In several places
Some one beckoncd TO her from tho
farther end Of the wreck. why did she
stand there like dummy when people
needed help7
Away she went over broken lies and
around nm overturned boiler from
which the steam hlssed vindietlveiy.
the blue and white gown fluttcring iu
the moonlight like flag OF truce.
All, there they were-a man prone
on the ground. and kneeiing by his
side was a physician with his open
medicine case.
stay by this poor fellow" said the
doctor as she came up, while so for
water" and he was gone.
In a few moments he returned and,
pouring something from vial into n
basin OF water. gave II 20 her to hold
while he bathed the unconscious mans
face.
She turned her head away. She
could not bear 10 look upon another
victim Of the headlong--
''Too badF' broke In the physician
on the self condemnation. ut Is really
too bad He was going home with a
years hard earnings with which to
surprise his wife"
The slender hands trembIed, and the
basin came near falling TO the ground.
Jack could have saved. too. II he had
loved his wife. but he hadn't
The doctor was 40 Interested IN his
patient that he did not notice her agi-
tatlon. so he followed his Thoughts
audibly and continued: "Engle Is n fine
fellow. I'll warrant his wife Is proud
OF him"
A low, smothered cry startled the
man OF medicine. and the basin fell to
the cinder parched sward, splitting the
contents over the blue and white
gown.
"You must be Drawer than that" said
he sternly. 1T may be that my friends
life depends on your quiet courage"
With desperate effort she refilled
the basin and resumed her position.
but now her gaze was fixed on the up.
turned face so familiar in every out
line.
1t depended on her. did 'it2 Surely
this was the atonlng hourl Heaven
heard Jonah In his extremity, Would
her petition Of agonized silence pre-
vail?
AS If In answer the man TO be proud
Of slowly opened'his eyes and made an
attempt to rise.
"Ah. jack. old boy, you're coming