Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-13
At the
Junction

AS"'' 9c'eee1se anu dH uuHlDled PRIDE,
descended the steps of the yellow day
coach that formed half of the only
train on the Linden Valley road. He
sat himself on an unused baggage
truck to wait until the south-bound
train should come along.
Julian preferred the winter sunlight
and the crisp air to the lifeless heat
OF the big stove and the reek of many
bodies. He was going humbly to con-
fess his faults, and he wanted to keen
clear headed that they might remain
fresh in his mind
He felt that he needed to be watch
ful, for In his heart he believed the
faults to be few. There was grave
danger that he might forget again
that he was the offender, and take the
same attitude of injured dignity that
had caused Lottie Maynard to go hur-
rying back to the city with the dec
larat1on that when he came to his
senses she might be ready to talk to
him again
There was an accent on the might"
that left the matter in doubt, and
Julian felt that 1t behooved him to
keep wildly in mind what Lottie de-
clared to be his offenses.
Mentally Julian recited the cate
chism of his offenses, punctuating his
determination with appropriate re-
marks concerning train that was
two hours late. He was still occupied
with this task when distant whistle
sounded, and the waiting passengers
hurried from the station to the plat
form. There was some grumbling
when 1t was seen that this was only
q slow train from the south instead of
the desired south-bound, but they
lined up along the platform to watch
the arrival of the few passengers who
were making change. Then they
hurried back to the warmth of the
waiting room.
Only one girl remained behind to
walk briskly up and down the plat
form. With glad cry of surprise
Julian hurried toward her.
What are you doing here, Lottie?"
he asked as he took her hand in his.
Where are you going?" she coun-
tered.
Il was running down to town to see
you," he explained. "And to think
of finding you here, on your way TO
Lindon."
clared the girl. Il was going on, but
somehow stepped off the train
through habit. and the train went on
without me-"
81 was hoping that you We're COM
ing back-to me-" he said tenderly
but Lottie tossed her head
II told you that when you were
ready to admit that you were at fault.
that you might write, and that then
perhaps would come. You don't sup
pose that would change my mind. do
your
| No such luck" he admitted dis.
mally. That was why was coming
to YOU
TO apologize?" she demanded. and
Julian nodded his head.
A CLEAN Of triumph flashed into
LOttie's eyes, but she was not to be
won SO easily. She had very pro.
nounced ideas on the proper way Of
| handling the man she purposed to
marry, and now that he was penitent,
abe was In no hurry to make the
sweet surrender that Julian sought.
II suppose you are saying that just
because you want to make up" she
declared judicialy. Il don't know
that 1t should count"
You said that when | would admit
that was in the wrong you would be
my friend again." reminded Julian.
But what's tho use of admitting
that you are wrong, when You don't
mean it?" argued Lottie You'll say
the same things again the first time
that you want to be nasty"
Don't you believe It, advised
Julian with convincing emphasis IF
you would only know how utterly
miserable have been since you went
back to town! That was why de.
cided to come, instead of writing"
| And almost missed me-" supplied
Lottie 81 think. Julian. that I'll make
my visit, and in the meantime think
about coming to Linden on the way
back"
Julian's face darkened. II wish
you'd make up now" he pleaded. The
fact that we met each other here at
the Junction proves that It was meant
| by fate that we should be friends
| again."
For moment the girl hesitated.
She had meant to keep Julian on the
anxious seat for few weeks, but now
that he was coming, penitent and con
| quered, she felt that perhaps it would
be we'll to surrender before he should
again change his mind. The patent
leather tip OF her shoe dug into the
snow
1T does seem little like the work
ing of fate" she admitted Here go
out of town to visit in Peltonyile and
you are on your way to town to see
me. You are waiting at the Junction
for a train that is late and am left
behind by my train"
Then accept the omen and say that
you will make up" he urged We
can go back to town and pick out the