The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-14
While
Waiting
A Chance Meeting and
UIhoT Happened Be-
ftOeSn TroifsS.
By SARA 6. ICLEHEART
Copyright, 1908, by American Press

BY SARA G. ICLEHEART


1.-TWO days limit" said Willis Bates
as he looked doubtfully at the ticket.
"Can / make it in that timer
yes" and the agent pushed some
change through the window and wait
ed expectantly for the next man In the
line, I'VE make close connections. Ten
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 ex-
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
sharp "All aboard and rush Of
few belated passengers toward the
outside track, Bates snatched up his
hand bag and sprang forward.
"Whew, that was certainly close
Connection be said grimly as he
swung himself on the rear car Of the
moving train. eff | keep on at this
rate I'll get through in time for the
sale, and that will mean a thousand
dollars in my pocket. Lucky / thought
of it."
The parlor car was full, so Bates
went on until he found seat with
loouacious. insistent hotel runner. Just
across was bright looking woman In
a plain travelling suit. and he glanced
at her with sudden. half recognizing
inquiry.
But a traveller is always running
across faces that look familiar, and
his attention was soon engrossed lie
warding Oh the advances Of the hotel
runner
The train rushed on With the vehe-
ment, noisy impetuosity peculiar tc
southern trains, as though striving to
give an impression Of terrific speed,
and the fine South Carolina dust sifted
in 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 be noticed the woman Of the
opposite seat looking at him inquir-
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 a 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 be avoided such places. There
were apt to be poor food and service,
and not infrequently one was served
SO late that he could only snatch few
mouthfuls before it was time to hurry
for the train.
But here he was agreeably disap-
pointed, and when he went to the desk
near the door to leave his IS cents 1t
was With feeling Of satisfaction at
not having been imposed upon. Out
side he looked at his watch. 1t still
lacked ave minutes of train time, sc
be walked leisurely down the plat
form
AS be turned to come back he found
himself face to face with the woman
who sat opposite him in the car. Fol
q moment they gazed squarely into
each others eyes, then both started
forward.
Aren't you Charlie HolbrookT 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 left
the old village. and | haven't seen
soul from there since. How are they
all-your mother, and Henry Taber,
and my cousin Bob Bates; Bob's
the only kin have. but he and never
did get on well together oh. ! beg
your pardon hurriedly- 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 postottic'
the last ! knew, and Bob
There was significant movement
across the platform, and Bates glanc
ed at his watch.
IT'S time to get on board!' he ex-
claimed. Wen finish our talk In the
car"
But the woman drew back.
''This isn't my train" she said. .
wait here two hours"
Really with sudden dismay in his
voice. why, was counting on =