The new era., 1911-01-12

busy way.
Along stage, rusty and ramshackls.
backed up to the platform and the
drivers lusty All aboardl" brought
the girl and the young man hurryins
into its dismal depths.
II s'pose you're for Terguson's
plsce." remarked the driver - hs
turned the horses skillfully In the mar
row space.
"Yss," said the man rather grqmy.
II thought there would be carriage
to meet U.S."
$50 there has-so there basl Beea
prancin around her for two or three
hours, but guess they got disgusted;
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
'em along Tho trains four hours late
~ It Is, and I don't suppose them scr.
wants want to bs kept away from their
Christmas dinner"
How long will 1t take usI" asked
the girl.
"A matter Of an hour or so," was
the unconcerned reply.
The girl stihed an exclamation Of
annoyance and she drew still farther
away from the vicinity Of the moross
young man. The latter turned up the
astrakhan collar Of his ovsrcoat and
dropped his chin into its deaths.
They had started forth that morning
20 toyfully-.Polly standish and Der
rick Gordon-newly engaged and bliss
S.,y~ bopny Th1u - hnd ~onA vVonv
from the very beginning. Polly's aunt,
who was to accompany them tor the
short stay at Ferguson's hospitable
country house, had failed to put in an
appearance, and consequently had
besn left behind. That was vexatious.
Then tho train had been delayed by
snow drifts and during the four hours
wait in the cold train Polly and Der
rick had Quarreled.
Mice Christmas day" volunteered
the stage driver In his queer, cracked
voice. as they squeaked over the hard
! packed snow. i.
4 "v@yl" returned Dsrrict. sarcastic.
ally. :, ss.
There was long silence Is the
strong white horses plodded up the
steep incline Of the mountain. Here
tho snowfall had been light md only
served to dust the dark green pines
and hsmlocks with . white powder.
They had reached the top Of steep
incline and were rolling evenly over .
level stretch when suddenly. without
an instant's warning, the stage
crashed down and precipitated the
passengers and luggage Ia an isnomfni-
Gus heap under the drivers seat.
Are you hurtf" asked Derrick cold
ly. a. he assisted Polly to her feet
mo. thank you," she said stimy. -
she peered out from the curtafnsd win
dow.
The driver was soothing the fright
ened horses and his nut-cracker face
was knotted anxiously.
Lost wheel, BY sorryi" he said.
ruefully. Smashed It to dindersl"
Derrick had crawled out and stood
beside him.
This is-the dickens of mess-how
resvs to get to Fsrguson's place7 Are
we near . telephons-or where arc we
anyway7" .ls..s
Luke Sanders scratched his ear
thoughtfully. II took shart road
across-'tain't the usual route to -Tsr.
guson's and We amt near nobodyi Ten
miles from anywhere The only thing
to do In for me 10 ride one Of the
horses into the village and send back
another wagon. You and the young
lady better ,gst out and move about .
bit and keep warm. You might build
q fre-there's plenty Of fuel" He
was embarrassing the horses as he
spoke.
why can't We all ride-or better
still, Miss standish can ride one Of
them and 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.
Can't nobody ride Bob-white. A
jumpin' kangaroo amt nothin' to that
horse II anybody sits on his back!
Just you stay here and make your
selves comfortable and warm and ri
be back In the course Of an hour or
So" He tethered the ferocious Bob
vhite to 4 tree by the roadsida Than
from The space under his Ssaf In the
stage he drew forth basket covered
with q white cloth.
This here basket has got . Christ
mas dinner inside-my wife fixed It up
for old Miss Benton down to the ford
but can stop and get another basket
full for the old lady. You-tw afo vel
come to IT," 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
wife. SIR" he called back over his
shoulder before he disappeared around
. turn In the road.
Derrick did not dare to look at Polly