Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-07

him many things about herself rushing on into her
hopes and amblt1onsthe career she had dreamed Of.
The very expression Of his face inspiration She
put into words opinions she had hardly formed to
herself and how he seemed to understand! She al
most betrayed herself hundred times, but he knew
nothing of Eleanor Floyd and he wasn't thinking Of
her. Eleanor seemed somehow showed into the back
granddaughter.
It takes only little thing to precipitate crisis
Eleanor hardly conscious of how it all about.
There suddenly had come urch, roar, jangle Of
discordant sounds several cries from panicstrcken
passengers, and confusion She was aware of some
one near-quite near-in fact, John Morton was hold
ing her hand
"Don't be frightened it's all over" he was saving
She shivered and sank back into her seat but he still
held her hand.
I'm not frightened really" she replied "It was all
I'll go and what the trouble is he said quietly
too quietly She had seen the look in his eyes
She sat there, outwardy calm, with little tremors
running all over her. The women talking shrilIy;
the had gone out hurriedly.
lie came back in short time, spoke few reassuring
words to her, fling his down. and went out again
rolling up his shirt sleeves. She tugged at the window
and finally got it up She could see some piled-rn
freight cars and overturned engine in a cloud OF
escaping steam One of the passenger coaches was on
fire. She gathered together her belongings and his and
put them on the seat Then she put her hat and
out 1t wasn't fear that kept her from going nearer
the disabled engine, but she really didn't what
use she could be-
After a while John Morton came through the crowd
and climbed into OF the forward cars. Later he
came out tearing linen into strips. She think
ing OF that look in his eyes.
Excited knots of people stood here and there; bits
of flew from one to another Two cars were
fire now, but the flames were being extingrished
She did not see the Carletons. and wondered where
they were. She paced up and down outside the car
Tor an hour, then went in The was deserted. 1t
was weary waiting Finally John Morton came
mo one killed." he said in answer to her look of
inquiry. "One fireman caught under the engine
and terribly burned He may pull through"
His face and arms grny; hugh mark of blacl,
was sreaked along his forehead He wiped the pers-
piration from his face with piece Of linen which
he had thrust into his pocket She caught sight Of his
right armfrom the wrist to the elbow the flesh was
burned 1t was badly swollen and he touched it
g1ngerly with piece of linen
"Oh!' she said. Her eyes sought his with quick
sympathy.
81 wonder if you have some cold cream. I'll find
the porter and get something to do it up with"
She knew OF pillow She got it. jerked of the slip,
and tore up In her mpatience she shook the things
from her grip looking for the jug of cream She put
her cool hands the burned arm, and he WINGED,
then he smiled.
ct feels better already" he said
lump somehow, to her throat as she wound
the bandage around tenderly trying to smile brayelv
L always knew, he said softly, that YOU would
come into my life sudderly-lke this Do you re-
member how still it seemed in the car when YOU told
that Mrs Carleton your name?"
After long time she nodded His hand closed over
hers, and she trembled rdiculously
I haven't forgotten about Miss Floyd" he went on
but If she decides she won't have me"
Five millions and she's awfully poor"
Don't pull down my hopes" pause. "Im trying
to guess if you-"
I'm going to-
WHAT"
What you're trying to guess"
Don't you know that love you?"
"A woman can always tell.
ian man?"
She hesitated over it moment
Il think So" she said.
When When the train was nearing Jersey City she began
undeceive him about herself. But she clunq to the
make-be1eve; it had been such happiness Another
day, and then he would have to know Besides Che
couldn't have it out with him there on crowded train
She thought over means of escaping him when they
should reach New York. Once she concluded to give
WTNn add h41AT
deliberately lie Besides, he would undoubtedly insist
going with her.
She had one hope The carriage would be there to
meet her. for she had managed to send telegram
at Washington If Andrew were still footman he
would know her and would not necessarily call her
name She would say "Good-by," and Mary Smith
It did happen just that way and she was so exultant
over the success of her plan that her one thouphr
pencil and slip of paper into her hand His fingers
closed over hers IN caress he took the slip from
her, and the pencil rolled off somewhere-ost.
She looked out the window as the carriage drove
away Suddenly she decided to tell him. Tomorrow
he had disappeared.
I made mistake, Andrew" she said GO ahead"
Ihe next day seemed to her an eternity A note
came from John Morton saying he would call at four
O'CLOCK lie came with the lawyer Mrs Newton, the
houSekeeper, waited patiently while she made extra
little dabs at her hair and dress. She in
oouS huTry but she didn't to get anywhere. She
managed to look self-possessed, though, when Mrs
Newton aT presented her to the lawyer
l m glad to meet you, Miss Floyd" he said
But then her courage failed her Some else came
forward, pair of gray eyes-stot silinq-were looking
into hers; she felt pressure of the hand the erest
clasp The quizzcal look around the mouth was there
but the face was quite impassive voice she did not
know-lt was 50 cold and formalsaid something about
BENG glad to know her. Little commonplace remarks
or1Ifed IN. She might have made some hersef-she
really DID not know. She remembered vaguely that the
swered ~
Alter time, the lawyer asked Mrs Newton to go
with him to the library concerning some papers that
Seened to worry him. AS they disappeared she found
nefsef looking into pair Of smiling gray eyes, and
qul7ziGal mouth was in1printing kiss her lips.
u thought they'd never go!" he said.
Ihen ne took from his pocket the paper on which
address
"Ohp she said
And, And, do you know they forgot all about the 6ve