Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-12
Two In a Train

I She saw his tall figure once. He was
/ looking about him, but he did not see
| her. and she took refuge in a car
l rage with three other women, and
slept away some Of her exhaustion on
I the way 10 Waterford. There she had
/ 10 change, and on the platform the
| first person she saw was-Meredith.
| He came up TO her at once.
Why did you run away last night?'
, he said
| II
! u don't want 10 worry you. but you
must let me look after you. You
look half dead. Have you had any
breakfast"
Yes"
She had had tea and bread and
butter IN the train. and the cool
morning air had whipped a faint col
or to her white cheeks.
Slowly they crept away into the
thick mist, nothing to be seen but
low fields, stone walls and driving
mist on every side Mary felt her
spirits sinking lower and lower as she
approached her destination
Are we there" she said.
mo, we've stopped for something
signal against us / expect"
Meredith put down the window and
looked out into the mist He saw a
row Of low sheds, the outline Of
tiny station. a branch line. and nothing
beyond them but a couple Of other
compartments. The rest Of the train
had gone.
She Confesses.
There they were left behind-in
siding.
What has happened" asked Mary
Meredith turned and looked at her
with a rueful sort Of smile
We're left behind"
Left behind" cried Mary aghas'
What do you mean"
They've run US into siding. and
the train has gone on without us. The
fact is, ! was asleep. ] only woke up
20 find ourselves dumped down here
They let us get into the coach they
were leaving behind-ldiots! But
wen get on somehow, Mary. After
all, It only means a little delay"
He said her name involuntarily
and Mary's heart jumped. Then a
feeling Of dismay swept over her.
But we may not arrive tin night"
she said Il suppose the only thing
we can do Is to drive. II a vehicle is
to be had. We must be twenty miles
from our destination. at least"
Il suppose so. but what does II mat
ter? They'll understand"
1T may not matter for you" said
Mary in a low, harsh voice. They
will excuse in a guest what they may
not pardon in the governess."
Meredith stared at her as II she hal
suddenly gone mad.
The WHAT" he said
THE governess. That is what I
am"
You're mad"
I'm not it's a fact"
you governess2 What does u
mean? What are you masquerading
for?"
IT'S no masquerade I'm a govern
ess because can not dig. and to beg
am ashamed said Mary with a
miserable little laugh. That's ALL"
but do you mean to say you've got
to do it2" said Meredith, dazedly.
Yes. Everything went I'm a big
smash on the Stock Exchange more
than year ago. | have 10 do some
thing, and the Wintons wanted a
governess for their two little nephews
who are living with them. that's all"
"Anl" said Meredith, violently.
And knew nothing of It, | never
heard a word of this before When
We met last do you know what sent
me away in such haste? Can you
guess"
No"
1T was because was afraid TO
stay. l loved you 80 much, and l
could not speak l was only poor
soldier OF fortune-you We're
wealthy heiress. ! had already been
called a fortune hunter by those who
must have seen how I fingered at
your side didn't think you cared,
so / went away Now, Mary darling,
I'm free TO speak / can't give you
the riches that are gone. but | can
give you a good home and lots OF
love Do you care a little? Try to,
Mary, when I care so much. ! be
lieve Fate brought us together on
purpose"
And let us in siding" said Mary,
with a smile breaking over her face
like sunshine through mist.
1T might have left us in a worse
place" cried Meredith, his arm about
her shoulders. Mary. is II going to
be Yes?
"Yes-yes" murmured Mary.