Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-03-30
ON THE SPECIAL.
An Emergency Trip That Brought
Safety and Something More.
BY =. 8. WRIGHT.

There was ring in the voice thai
caught Hugh Morton's attention He
looked up The girl in black who had
interested him when she entered the
waiting room three hours before was
at the ticket window. and the agent
was explaining that the night train
due at Bellmar junction at 1920 was
two hours late Morton himself was
waiting for that train.
Yes. miss, I'm certain. Just receiv-
ed word. Twelve-thirty anyway, and
It may be later"
but the train from Parkerville on
the other road gets in at 1I:2O, doesn't
fl? Isn't there some train out of here
before it comes? Anything-a freight
Nom; nothing until the 55." an
swered the man in a surprised tone
He leaned forward to see the girl more
plainly. and she drew aside in confu-
sion
Thank you. I'll have to wait. then.
1t doesn't matter at ALL" she said IN a
voice whose trembling showed that It
mattered very much. Then she went
out on the platform. leaving Morton
wondering
Why was she so pale? Why was she
so impatient to get away? Why so
anxious to leave before the train from
Parkerville arrived? He puzzled over
the question for awhile and went out
side for a smoke. Then he heard q
sob from n dark corner. The girl was
seated on a truck crying so bitterly
that she did not hear Morton as be
approached. moved by 4 generous In
pulse.
You are in some trouble! Can't
be Of some helpT
The girl raised her head with a start,
hurriedly wiping away the tears. mo;
it's beyond help mean it's nothing"
There's nothing beyond help. Won't
you tell me the trouble? You don't
know me, OF course hut l hope you
can see Pm a gentleman"
The girl seemed 10 shrink from him
IT'S nothing-mere nervousness. 1t
was kind in you to ask. though. and 1
thank you. l would accept II it could
do any good"
Morton moved away. He tramped the
platform for awhile and then stopped
| In the shadow by the station window.
/ He had learned teiegraphy years be-
| fore. and IL amused him 10 read the
| clicking of the key. There was the best
| part of message coming in now.
/ Click-ciick. click. ck-click-click-
"dreSS-Slender-br hair - twenty
two; sheriff up on 10 II there" When
the message ended the agent glanced
out On the platform toward where the
girl was seated. Then he telegraphed
back, Girl here; can't leave; % late"
So this was the reason of the girls
agitation. thought Morton. She had
committed some crime. poor thing, and
the law was on her track; the law, so
| powerful and relentless; she so help
less and alone. Morton had an instant
vision Of the slight. graceful figure
and the pale face and in that instant
made up his mind. He went toward
her and spoke in an undertone:
I've accidentally learned something
which concerns you very much /
don't know what the trouble is, but
they are coming here after you. and |
felt must warn you"
The girl started up with clasped
hands. oh I've been SO afraid of
this! What can / do what can dO?''
There's no time to lose The sheriff
will be here in fifteen minutes You
must get away"
How? There's 10 chance. Oh, II
only my train had been Oh timer The
Girl broke down and sObbed
Here. Don't do that You must
keep your nerve. you know" Morton's
brain was working quickly. Listen. Il
the sheriff doesn't find you here wher
he arrives he'll think you are in the
neighborhOCd surely. and he'll stop t.
search the village That will take hin
until morning. The next station nortI
is NewbOr"- fifteen miles. We nav,
over an hour in which to make it. Wi
you take the chance?
"YeS-any chance. | haven't req II,
done anything wrong. and IL | can es
cape
Quick. then! 60 over 70 that she,
on the other tracks and wait"
The girl disappeared ana Mortol
, sauntered i"to the waiting room. NV
\ a bad headache and decided I'd bette
not travel. VIII the hotel be openY'
'Open until 30 comes in"
Much obliged. Good night"
Morton picked up his satchel an
started toward the hotel Then b
doubled across the tracks to wher
the girl was waiting