Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-12-01
BY SARA G. IGLEHEART
Copyright. 1909. by American Press
Association

line, We make close connections. len
minutes stop at Columbia and twenty
at Charlotte for dinner. Jacksonville!
Nineteen" And Bates felt himself
pushed unceremoniously aside by a
portly man. who was eager TO eI-
change banknote for the ticket which
was being stamped
That's your train on the outside
track" the agent called warningly.
Better hurry"
AS this advice was accentuated by a
sharp "All aboard!' and rush OF q
few belated passengers toward the
outside track, Bates snatched up his
hand bag and sprang forward
"Whew, that was certainly close
connection" he said grimly as he
swung himself OH the rear car OF the
moving train. IF l keep on at this
rate III get through in time for the
sale, and that will mean thousand
dollars I'm my pocket. Lucky thought
OF it."
The parlor car was full, SO Bates
went on until be found q seat with q
loquacious, insistent hotel runner. Just
across was n bright looking woman in
plain travelling suit. and he glanced
at her with sudden. half recognizing
inquiry.
But traveller is always running
across faces that look familiar, and
bis attention was soon engrossed In
warding or the advances OF the hotel
runner.
The train rushed OH with the vehe.
ment. noisy impetuosity peculiar TO
southern trains, as though striving to
give an Impression OF terrific speed
and the fine South Carolina dust sifted
I'm through the windows and spread
thickly over the dingy plush seats,
calling forth handkerchiefs and i'm.
patient ordinations from the passen.
gers and swirling now and then into
angry clouds at the feeble onslaught
OF the train boys broom.
Once he noticed the woman of the
opposite seat looking mt him iDquir-.
ingly, as though she, too. was trying
to recall something familiar. But
when he turned to her she was gazing
from the window
At Columbia he spent the ten min.
utes in n forced defense OF politics
and at Charlotte was glad to leave his
companion and join the rush toward
the railroad restaurant. AS a general
thing he avoided such places. There
were apt TO be poor food and serXice,
and not infrequentIy one was served
so late that he could only snatch few
mouthfuls before IL was time 70 hurry
for the train.
But here he was agreeably disap-
pointed, and when he went Ia the desk
near the door 10 leave his 80 cents 1t
was with feeling OF satisfaction al
not having been imposed upon. Out
side be looked ut his watch 1t still
lacked FIVE minutes Of train time, so
he walked lelsurely down the plat.
form.
AS he turned TO come back he found
himself face TO face with the woman
who sat opposite him in the car For
n moment they gazed squarely into
each others eyes. then both started
forward.
Aren't you Charlie Holbrook?' the
woman asked eagerly. II thought J
knew you on the train"
Yes. and you are. or was, Alice
Durfee," Bates said. no less eagerly.
My. but I'm glad to meet you. Let
me see. it's eighteen years since l left
the old village. and | haven't seen
soul from there since How are they
all-your mother. and Henry Taber,
aud my cousin. Bob Bates? Bob's
the only kin have, but be and never
did get on we'll together. Oh. beg
your PARDON urriedly-"I forgot"
MY mother died ten years ago" she
answered steadily. After that came
south and have only been back once
since. Henry Taber had the postofflce
The last knew, and Bob
There was a significant movement
across the platform, and Bates glsnc-
ed at his watch.
IT'S time 10 get on bosFd! he e1-
claimed Wen finish our talk In the
car"
But the woman drew back.
This isn't my train" she said. 81
wait here two hours"
Really" with sudden dismay IN his
rOice why, was counting on q
rood long talk Is Bob-your husband
alOng|
She looked surprised
II don't know what you mean.1 she
answered ~ have never married. /
came south ten years ago in search OF
work and have been teaching school
ever since. You'l miss your train"
~ was already gliding down the plat
form but he neither noticed it nor her
warning To his eyes was an express
sion ~ incredulous inquiry
isn't Bob Bates
She mo'ioncd toward the train.
'Youl miss co." she cried again.
then her band dropped 10 her side.
There 80 is too late Was It very
Important anxiOusly.
yes nO-tbat is. guess 90" he an
sWo-cd iudincreutlv a thousand dol.
.5go J believe
. m8U with 'hr clu.emstic IS. 2. on