The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-12-08
While
Waiting
a Chance Meeting and
6Jbor HAPPENED Be-
rtOeen Troins.
By SARA c. lGLEHEART
Copyright. 1909 by American Press
By SARA G. IGLEHEART


Two days limit" said Willis Bates
MS he looked doubifully AZ the ticket.
Can mlke Il In that timer"
Yes aud the agent pushed some
change through the window and wait
ed eXpe'tantly tor the next hluu III the
line. I'VE u..ke close connections. Zen
minutes stop III Columbia and twenty
at Charlotte for dinner. Jacksonville?
Nineteen" And Rates felt himself
pushed unceremoniousiy aside by Il
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 waruingiy.
Better hurry
Az this advice was accentuated by II
sharp All aboard" and II rush of
few belated passengers toward the
outside track. Bates Snaiched up his
hand bag and sprang forward.
"Whew, that WAS eer'ainly close
connection" he said grimiy az he
swung himself on the rear car OF the
moving train. IF keep On ut this
Idtt . ~ XVI titfouSh III 'thiN W. Wv
sale. and that will mean II Thousand
dollars In my pocket. Lucky thought
of IT,"
The parlor car WAS full. so Bates
went on until he found seat with
loquacious iusiSient hotel runner. Just
across WAS II bright looking woman a
a plain travelling sut. aud he glanced
ut her with sudden. half recognizing
Inquiry.
But a traveller Is always running
across faces that look familiar. and
his attention WAS soon engrossed IN
warding Off the advances of the hotel
runner
The train rushed on with the vehe
meht. noisy impetuosity peculiar 10
southern traius. as though striving to
give an impression of terrific speed.
and the fine South Cnroiiua dust sIfted
In through the windows and spread
thickly over the dtngy plush seats.
calling forth handkerehiefs and i'm
patient exelnmafions from the passen-
gers and swirling HOW aud then into
angry clouds NJ the feeble onslaught
of the train boys broom.
Once he 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 W ndow.
Al Columbia he spent the ten min
utes In II forced defense of politics
and NJ Charlotte was glad to leave his
companion and join the rush toward
the railroad restaurant. As n general
thing he avoided such places. There
were apt T. be poor food and service
and not infrequeDtly one was served
so late that he could only snatch few
mouthfuls before 1t was time 10 hurry
for the train.
But here he was agreeably disap-
pointed. and when he went to the desk
near the door 10 leave his 81 cents 1t
was with feeling Of satisfaction at
not having been imposed upon. Out
side he looked AT his watch. II still
lacked five minutes of train time. so
he walked leisurely down the plat.
form.
As he turned to come back he found
himself face 10 face with the woman
who sat opposite him In the car. For
a moment they Gazed squarely into
each others eyes. then both started
forward.
Aren't you Charlie Holbrook?" the
woman asked eagerly Il thought
knew you on the train"
"ies. and you are. or was. Alice
Durfec." Bates said. no less eagerly.
My. but I'm glad to meet YOU. Let |
me see. lis eighteen years since left |
the old village. and / haven't seen n
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-"l forgot"
MY mother died ten years ago. she |
answered steadily. After that ! came |
south and have only been back once |
since. Henry raber had the postotiice
the last ! knew. and Bob
There was n Significant movement |
across the platform. aud Bates glanc- |
ed AZ his watch.
ITS time 10 get on board he ex-
claimed. We'll finish our talk In the |
car"
But the woman drew back.
This isn't my train" she said. II
wait here Two hours.
"Really" With sudden dlsmay In his |
voice. Why. | was counting on n
good long talk. Is Bob-your husband |
-along!"
She looked surprised.
Il don't know what you mean" she |
answered. Il have never married. |
came south ten years ago In search of |
work and have been teaching school |
ever since. YoE'll miss your train
II was already gliding down the plat
form. but b" neither noticed 1t nor her
warning. In his eyes was an express
sion of increduous inquiry.
'.lsn't Bob Bates
She motioned toward the train.
you'll miss IT," she cried again:
then her hand dropped to her side.
There: II Is too late. Was 1t very
importantly" anxiously.
Yes no that Is. guess So" he nm
swered Indiiferently. "A thousand dol
lars, | believe"
A man with the emblematic 8. H. on |
his cup came down the platform. ana
Bates called him with gesture.
How hung before the next train |
NORTH" be demanded.
An hour aud forty minutes"
Good" turning to her. With beam |
ing satisfaction. "And you have to wait |
two hours. That will give us plenty |
nf time tn tulk Naw" with q strange |