Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1909-07-28
A TRAIN TO JOY,
After the Crash There Came a
Shock and a Surprise.
BY ANITA WENTWORTH.

Copyright, 1909, by Associated Literary
Press.]
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 prophesy 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
bioodcurdling thiag in its record?
OF course! Rose Engle settled the
question satisfactorily in her own
mind and from a multitude of femi-
nine tr1nkets in her wrist bag fished
out. her ticket and waited complacent-
~ 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, flatten:
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 4
terrific shock sent the passengers in
all directions.
Out from beneath the wreckage of
the shattered nOrthbOund craWled a
half dozen men and women, one with
a 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-
gled to ner feet and stood, white and
trembling, endeavoring 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,
and white gown or the wickedness of
her intention which fulfilled Aunt Ny
kinks 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 well 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 Il 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
~ as he had not written for months
Then wild determination to be free
from the man who had gone back tc
his old habits and didn't care seized
! her. and-well,, here she was on he1
way to begin legal proceedings for a
separation and stranded and alone!
Aunt Nyllirks parting shot rang In
her ears as she chung to 4 twisted sec
! ton Of the vestibulc.
"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 In their teeth and rush
! headlong always think Of Jonah"
| Shaky little Mrs. Engle cast horri
| fed glance down over the blue and
white gown, now stroked with dust
and CRIME and torn in several places.
Some one beckoned to her from tho
farther end of the wreck Why did she
stand there like dummy when people
needed help?
Away she went oyer broken ties and
around an overturned boiler from
which the steam Kissed vindictively
the blue and white gown futtering Il,
the moonlight like a flag Of truce
All, there they wcre-a man prone
on the ground, and kneeling by his
side was a physician with his opcr
medicine case
"Stay by this poor fellow" said the
doctor as she came up, "while I go fol
water" and he was gone
| In Il few moments he returned and
pouring something from vial into &
basin Of water, gave it to her to hole
while he bathed the unconscious mans
face
She turned her head away. Sh'
could not bear to- look upon another
victim Of the headlong-
| '"Too bad!' broke in the physician
on the self condemnation ut is reall,
too bad! He was going home with :
years hard earnings with which tt
surprise his wife,
The slender hands trcmbled, and thu
basin came ,near falling to the ground
Jack could have saved. too, If he hat
loved his wife. hut he hadn't.
| The doctor was so interested in hi.
patient that he did not notice her agl
tation, so he followed his Thoughts
audibly and continued: 'Engle is a f}h.
fellow. III warrant his wife is PROUD
Of him"
A ioW, smothered cry startled til,
man of medicine. and the basin fell t
the clnder parched sward, splitting thu
! contents over the blue and whit,
gown.
You must be Drawer than that" sale
he. sternly. 1T may be that my Friends
life depends on your quiet courage"
With q desperate effort she refillet
the basin and resumed her position
but now her gaze was fixed on the up
turned face so familiar in every out
line.