Connecticut western news., 1909-06-24
A TRAIN ID JOY.
After the Crash There Came a
 Shock and a Surprise.
By ANITA WENTWORTH.

] PreSs.l
 Yes, she wore the blue and white dress which had been her wedding gown, much against Aunt Nykirk's $ will, and the latter had said disagree able things in consequence, even going so far as to prophecy that something would happen.
 But what could "happen?' Simply nothing. Was not this the old reliable evening train, forever on time and without hint of hoodoo or any other bloodcurdling thing In its record?
 Of course! Rose Fngle settled the question satisfactorily in her own mind and from a multitude of fe:Hi- nine trinkets in her wrist bag fishcd out her ticket and waited complaccnt- ly for the conductor. By and by, as the "old reliable" rolled along, the moon came up. revealing the land scape fin picturesque panorama, and the owner of the blue and white gown laughed at the prophecy, fGttcn- ed her pretty nose against the dusty pane and fell to enjoSgg the scenery.
 PuNNAtAAiN obONS Ail1 pCNN LII nun NA the train rose demoniac shrieks from two locomotives. The next moment terrific shock sent the passengers in all directions.
 Out from beneath the wreckage of the shattered northbound crawled half dozen men and w1Ran, one with a cruel slash across the left cheek and another with a broken arm. while the remaining four were only shaken up"
 Among the latter Rose Engle strug- gled to ner feet and stood, white and trembling, endeavoring to grasp the possibility of the "old reliable" mak ing such a 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 wickedness of kirk's prophecy.
 Not since the word from up north that Jack had gone back to his old habits and was actually sowing his earnings broadcast" had she taken time for sober second thought. A>year ago, when she kissed him goodby in the low doorway before he went to the Klondike, he had pledged himself to continue in we'll doing, and she had rested in his promise.
 Often she entertained herself pictur- ing the home hey planned to have on his return, one with large, airy kitch- en, plenty of sunshine and lots of hap piness.
 But when the word" came she de cided that Jack Engle's wife was q shamefully neglected woman, especial ly as he had not written for months. Then a wild determination to be free from the man who had gone back to his old habits and didn't care seized her, and-well, here she was oR her way to begin legal proceedings for a separation and stranded and alone!
 Aunt Nykirk's parting shot rang in her ears as she clung to a twisted sec ton of the vestibule.i
 I'd expect something to happen If should start on such an errand, bank ing only on hearsay and wearing my wedding dress. Bless me! When folks take the bit fin their teeth and rush headlong I always think of Jonah"
 Shaky little Mrs. Engle cast a horri- fled glance down over the blue and white gown, now stroked with dust and grime and torn in several places.
 Some one beckoned to her from the farther end of the wreck. Why did she stand there like a dummy when people needed help?
 Away she went over broken ties and around an overturned boiler from which the steam hissed vindictively, the blue and white gown futtering in the moonlight like flag of truce.
 An, there they were-a man prone on the ground, and kneeling by his side was a physician with his open medicine case.
 Stay by this poor fellow" said the doctor as she came up, while I go for water" and he was gone. In few moments he returned and, pouring something from a vial into basin of water, gave it to her to hold while he bathed the unconscious mans face.
 She turned her head away. She could not bear to look upon another victim of the headlong-
 ''Too badr' broke in the physician on the self condemnation. "It Is really too bad! He was going home with years hard earnings with which to surprise his wife
 The slender hands trembled, and the basin came near falling to the ground. Jack could have saved, too. if he had loved his wife. but he hadn't.
 The doctor was so interested in his patient that heIdid not notice her agi. tatiOn. so he followed his thoughts audibly and continued: "Eng,e is a 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, spilling the contents over the blue and white gown.
 You must be braver than that" said