The Delta independent., 1910-12-30


gorged two passengers at the little
red station and then thundered on Its
busy way.
A long stage. rusty and ramshackle.
backed up to the platform and the
drivers lusty "All aboard" brought
the girl and the young man hurrying
into its dismal depths.
II s'pose you're for Ferguson's
place." remarked the driver as he
turned the horses skillfully in the mar
row space.
YES" said the man rather grufny.
'I thought there would be a carriage
to meet U.S."
so there has-so there has! Been
prancin around her for two or three
hours. but guess they got Disguised:
anyways. they left word for me to stay
here till the train came In and II any
one was bound for their place to bring
EN- along. The trains four hours late
a. It IL. and don't suppose them SER
wants want to be kept away from their
Christmas dinner"
How long will It take us?" asked
the girl.
"A matter Of an hour or so.' was
the unconcerned reply.
The girl stified an exclamation of
annoyance and she drew still farther
away from the vicinity of the morose
young man. The latter turned up the
astrakhan collar OF his overcoat and
dropped his chin into Its de.'hs.
They had started forth that morning
so joyfully-Polly Standish and Der
rick Gordon-newly engaged and bliss
from the very beginning. Polly's aunt,
who was to accompany the-.' Or the
short stay at Ferguson's hospitable
country house. had failed to put In an
appearance. and consequently had
been left behind. That was vexatious.
Then the train had been delayed by
snow drifts and during the four hours
wait In the cold train Polly and Der
rick had quarreled.
Nice Christmas day." volunteered
the stage driver In his queer. cracked
voice. as they squeaked over the hard
packed snow.
"veryl" returned Derrick. sarcastic
ally
There was . long silence ~ the
strong white horses plodded up the
steep incline Of the mountain. Here
the snowfall had been light and only
served to dust the dark green pines
and hemlocks with q white powder
They had reached the top OF steep
incline and were rolling evenly over a
level stretch when suddenly. without
an instant's warning. the stage
crashed down and precipitated the
passengers and luggage In an isnomini-
N,,a hosn vp1sr th~ 1rlv>rs. .a~t
Are you hurt." asked Derrick cold
ly. ~ he assisted Polly to her feet
No. thank you." she said stifliy as
she peered out from the curtained win
dow.
The driver was soothing the fright
ened horses and hts nut-cracker face
was knotted anxiously.
Lost a wheel. by gorry," he said.
ruefully. Smashed It to fiinders!"
Derrick had crawled out and stood
beside him.
This Is the dickens OF a mess-how
are We to get to Fergusons placer Are
We near q telephone-or where are we
anywsy!'
Luke Sanders scratched his ear
thoughtfully II took short road
across-'taint the usual route to Fer
guson's and We amt near nobody! Ten
miles from anywhere. The only thing
to do is for me to ride one Of the
horses into the village and send back
another wagon. You and the young
lady better get out and move about
bit and keep warm. You might build
fre-there's plenty of fuel" He
was embarrassing tho horses as he
spoke.
why can't we all ride-or better
still. Miss Standish can ride one of
them and I will walk beside her. We
will get there much quicker and can
keep warm and have something to
eat. We're almost starved" Derrick
glanced quickly at the stage where
| Polly's pale face was framed in the
! darkened opening
Cant nobody ride Bob-white. A
1umpin' kangaroo amt nothin' to that
horse II anybody gifts on his back!
Just you stay here and make your
selves comfortable and warm and I'll
be back in the course Of an hour or
So" He tethered the ferocious Bob
white to tree by the roadside. Then
from the space under his seat in the
stage he drew forth q basket covered
/ with white cloth.
"This here basket has got = Christ
mas dinner inside-my wife fxed II up
for old Miss Benton down to the ford
but can stop and get another basket.
full for the old lady. You two are vel
come to t." He clambered on the
waiting horse and smiled a. his horny
hand closed around the generous bank.
note that Derrick slipped from his
pocket.
Merry Christmas to you and your