The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-03
CHAPTER I.
March Come. in Like the Lion.


from New York. came To Il standstill
with many an ear-sDlitting sigh, along
side tho little station. and a reluctant
porter opened his vestibule door 10 de-
scehd TO the snow-swept platform: n
solitary passenger had reached the
journeys fcnd. The swirl OF snow and
sleet screaming out OF the blackness at
inc end OF the atatlon-bu building cnvcl-
opeh tho porter in an instant. and cut
MS ears and neck with singing force
as he turned Ills back against tho gale
\ pair OF lonely. half obscured plat
form lights CLEANED fatuously at the
top or their Icy posts al each end OF
the station; two or threo frost-en-
crusted windows elowcd duly in tho
side OF tho building. while ono shone
brightly where the operator sat wait
ing Tor the passing or No. SO.
The train itself Was dark. Frosty
windows. pelted for miles BY the
furious gale. white outside, but blacl.
within. protected tho snug travellers
who slept the sleep OF the hurried ana
thought not Of tho storm that beat
about their cars nor wondered 1T the
stopping or tho fast express at 4
place whore IL had mover stopped he
fore. Far ahead the painting engine
shed from it's open iire-box an auroolc
OF glazing rcd as the stolIcr fed coal
INTO It's rapaeious NAV. The unblink-
Ing headlight threw it's rays into the
thick OF tho binding snowstorIn. fruit
!essly searching Tor the rails through
drifts denscr than foe and Tiled with
strange. half-visihle shapes
An order had been issued for the
stopping OF the fast express At b
noteworthy concession in thoac days
OF premed!tatcd haste. Not IN the prc-
vious career OF flying - had II even
so much as slowed down for the lusig-
niticant little station, through which
Il swooped ut midnight tho Who'll.
e. Mr.
OF New York OF this oyentful night the
conductor received II command 10 stop
50 ut B and let down single
passenger. a circumstance which meant
trouble for every dcspatcher along the
line.
The woman who got down Mt b
III the wake OF the sniverin2 but
dcfcrential porter. and who passed hy
tho conductors without lifting her face.
was without hand luggage Of any dc :
scription. Sho was heavily yelled. and
warmly clad in furs. AZ il o'clock
that night she had entered tho com
partment in New York. Throughout
the thirty miles or more, she had sat
alone and inert beside tho snow +
cloGged window. poerinG through Veil
and frost into the night that whizzed
past tho pane. seeing nothing yet APP
parentiy intent on all that stretch ed
beyond. As sill. az immobilo "a death
Itself she had held herself from tho
moment OF departure 10 tho instant
that brought the porter with the word
that they were whiatllng for r
without II word she arose and followed
him 10 the vcstibulc. whcrc she
watched him he unfastcned the
outer door and lifted the trap. y SIN
gle word escaped hcr lips and he held
out his hand TO receive tho Crulnplcd
bin she clutched IN her gloved fingers.
He did not look At u. Iic knew that
m n
brief exposure he endured on tho
lonely. wind swept platform or i sta
ton. tho name of Which he did not
know.
She took several uncertain steps in
tho direction or the station windows
and stopped. as If bew:ldered. Al
ready the engine WAS pounding the afr
with quick vicious snorts in tho effort
to get under way; the vcstihuic trap
and door closed with i bang the wheels
We're crcaking. \ bitter wind amotc
her in the face: the wet. hurting sieet
crashed against the thin ven, blinds n &
her.
Tho door or the waiting room across
the platform opened and man rushed
toward her
Mrs. Wrandall?" lie called above inc
roar OF tho wind.
She advanced quickly.
Yes"
what a night, ne sand. as much to
himself as To her I'm sorry you
would insist on coming tonight To-
morrow morning would have satisfied
the"
rs this sir. Drake?"
They were being blown through the
door into the waiting room rs she put
the question. Her voice was nuf'cd.
The man In the great fur coat put Ills
weight against the door to close It.
Yes Mrs. Wrandal have done all
haf f,irp
stances ] sorry 10 tell you that
we still have two miles to go by motor
before we reach the inn. My car is
open-1 don't possess Limousine
but II you Will lie down in tho tonneau
YOU will find some protection from
Sho broke in sharply. impaticntly.
PRAY do not consider me, Air. Drake
am not afraid OF the blizzard"
Then we'd better be on" said he. n
note of anxiety In his voicc-a certain
car The road is good. but shall drive
cautiously. Ten minutes. perhaps. II
am sorry you thought best to brave
this wretchcd--"
7 am not sorry for myself. Mr.
Drake. but for you. You have been
most kind. did not expect you 10
meet me-
~ took the liberty OF tclephoning TO
you. 1t was well that did it early in
the evening. The wires arc down now.
! fear" He hcsitated for moment
staring ut her rs If tryine. TO penetrate
tho thick. wet veil. Il may have
brought you on a fools GRAND. You
see. IL have seen Mr. Wrandall but
once. In town somewhere. and may
he wrong. Stll the coroner--and the
sheriR-scemed 10 think YOU should be
notihed--I might say questioned. That
is why called you up. l trust, madam
that I am mistaken
Yes" she said shriily. betrayinE
the intensity of her emotion. 1T was
as If she lacked the power to utter
more than a single word. which signi-
fed neither acquiesccnce nor approval
lie was ill-at ease, distressed. II
have engaged a room for you at the
inn, Mrs Wrandall You did not bring
q maid, see My wife Will come over
from our place TO stay with you if
you"
She shook her Acad. THANK YOU
Mr.. Drake. 1t will not be necessary.
came alone by choice. 1 shall return
TO New York tonight"
But you--why, you can't do that"
he cried holding back as they started
toward the door mo trans stop here
sf.er o o'clock. The Locals begin run
ring at 7 in tho morning. Besides"
Sho interrupted him. May We not