The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-02-25
While
Waiting
a Chance Meeting and
e1hof Happened Be-
fs0een Trains.
By SARA G. ICLEHEART
By SARA G. ICLEHEART
1909, by American Press
Association.

as he looked doubtfully at the ticket
"Can l make it in that timer
| Yes" and the agent pushed some
| change through the window and wait
| eel expectantly for the next man in the
line, 1--WE 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 a 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 aboardv' and a 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 I'll get through in time for the
sale. and that will mean q thousand
dollars in my pocket. Lucky / thought
Of it."
The parlor car was full, so Bates
went on until he found a seat with a
loquacious, insistent hotel runner. Just
across was a bright looking woman in
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 in
warding off the advances Of the hotel
runner.
The train rushed on 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
in through the windows and spread
thickly over the dingy plush seats,
calling forth handkerchiefs and i'm
patient EXPLANATIONS 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 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 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 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 20 cents it
was with a feeling of satisfaction at
not having been imposed upon. Out
side he looked at his watch. 1t still
lacked five minutes Of train time, so
he walked leisurely down the plat
form.
AS he turned to come back he found
who sat opposite him in the car. For
moment they gaZed squarely into
each others eyes, then both started
forward
aren't you Charlie Holbrook?" the
woman asked eagerly. 81 thought /
knew you on the train"
"Yes. and you are, or was, Alice
nnfn
MY. but I'm glad to meet you! Let
me see, it's eighteen years since left
the old village, and l haven't seen a
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-"I forgot"
'My mother died ten years ago." she
answered steadily. After that l came
south and have only been back once
since. Henry Taber had the postoffice |
the last / knew, and Bob
There was significant movement |
across the platform, and Bates glanc- |
ed at his watch.
IL tlIlle 10 get Oh DOaTu! lie cA- Il
"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 dismay I'm his I
voice. why, / was counting on a
good long talk. Is Bob-your husband
She looked surprised.
81 don't know what you mean" she
II have never married.
came south ten years ago in search Of
work and have been teaching school
ever since. You'll miss your train"
1t was already gliding down the plat
form. but he neither noticed 1t nor her
In his eyes was an express
sion of incredulous inquiry.
"Isn't Bob Bates
She motioned toward the train.
you'll miss it' she cried again;
hen her hand dropped to her side.
There; 1t is too late! Was 1t very
anxiously.
"Yes-no-that Is, guess So" he an