Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-10-30
The Corrector of DeStinieS
BY Melville DAVIDSON Post
Copyright b. Edward J. Clode

fuary. I came 10 New York from Phil
adeiphia. The fast train from the
south was late and did not arrive until
nine O'Clock. Il was very cold, the
windows ~ the cars we're incrusted
with ice there we're miniature snow
drifts across the yesfibules. and the
steam pipes smoked. ! was exceed
Ingiy hungry The dining-car had been
cut of at Phils telohia and my hope
Of dinner was beyond me, in New
York. When the boat which carried
us across from Jersey City to the
Twenty-third street ferry touched the
dock. / jumped of and ran into the
checking room to give directions about
the. transfer OF my luggage. | waS de-
tayed by the oriental leisure OF the
man in charge When / got out. final
~. into the street not a cab was to
be seen. The wind was driving past
every moment with increasing fury;
the frozen snow fakes cut ones face.
I started to cross the street to wait
ing street car. had hardly stepped
out from the ferry house when a han
some pulled up and hailed It.
As put my foot on the cab step,
heard behind me a little smothered
cry Of disappointment. I took my foot
down from the step and turned around.
A little way behind me, under the
caves OF the building. stood a woman
weariug long fur coat to her feet
and carrying in her hand a travelling
bag. Her face above the fur collar Of
her coat was wrapped in black vail
went at once to her
Madam" / said, did you call this
cab"
mo" she replied. in a voice low,
musical but greatly troubled; 4 did
not call il. but hoped to get It."
Then she added with a flutter in her
voice:
7 am alone. cannot possibly walk
IN this storm, and I must get quickly
to the Dresden"
MADAM" said. this hanson is at
your service; pray take t."
But your she answered
Il shall get uptown some way" !
said; "the elevated station Is only
few blocks away"
l helped her into the hanson. then
another tremendous gust came roar
Ing down by the ferry house. banged
the doors and dueked my head TO es-
cape the fierce onslaught Of the wind
When the gust passed / looked up to
find the cab standing beside me. A
little hand threw open the hanson
door. the soft. musical voice said:
Il cannot leave you here in this ter
rible storm; get in"
got IN. howled to the driver to get
over town 10 the Dresden and sat
down by the unknown. AS the han
som wheeled into tho street. tho WON.
an leaned over me and looked back
I looked over her shoulder Another
hoat had arrived and the passengers
were coming out | saw In tie heavy
snow. man running toward us. wav.
ing hand; then we were" out OF sight
bowling over the Belgian blocks.
The woman tucked the fur coat
around her feet, pulled the long
sleeves over her hands and nestled up
against her corner OF the hanson.
pardon me-" she said. Il thought
had stupidity left my bag on the curb.
but here 1t is at my feet"
smiled at the pretty lie.
Madam" said Il am sure it is at
your feet There must be some trace
Of feeling even In alligator leather"
think she was undecided whether
10 chill me with irony or laugh The
laugh prevailed. then came the irony
How stupid Of me, she said, per.
haps you do not wish to 40 to the
Dresden We are approaching the Gle
rated station. notice
Her tone was In that admirable mid.
die pitch which reveals nothing.
wished to answer that the Dresden
seemed Just then to be fairy Mecca.
and that II ! were put out. should
probably trot after the cab like a
faithful puTfy; but were there not
faint breatas OF frost in the little
voice? Inight be put out after all,
ind wished greatly to remain. AT
any rate, must take no risks until
the elevated station was behind us, SO
laid before her the details OF my
discomfort.
! shall be glad OF the Dresden" I
said 4 am cold, am starving. My
fingers are quite numb, and | could
gladly eat the straps on the hanson. g"
She laughed
Have you gone so long, then. with.
cut dinnert"
''Long?"I echoed. why. madam, It
has been eight mortal hours! Men
have heconlS cannibals in less time
than that"
We were we'll past the elevated sta.
ton now.
She shrugged her dainty shoulders.
"Ohserye," abe said. how | shud.
der
We Were getting on famously.
And with reason" | answered.
WAS not the taste of the bear Tor
the bee-tree known even TO the anc-
Ients2"
zone Of the gospels. think" she
said. tells us how bad such food is
for the digestion"
Then. fearing that she had been led
too Tar into pleasantly. she turned II.
after the manner OF womsu.
Let us hope" she added, that YOU
viii find something more substantial
than the Baptists meager fare ~ the
Dresden would suggest loiu Of
beef. washed down with burgundy. q
Gish Of salad, a pot Of coffee
Then her voice slipped up into that
dangerous. indeterminate note,
I'VE are crossing Broadway" she