Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-07-24
ON A BRANCH ROAD
His Sweetheart Of Boyhood Days
Taken From Him In Disas-
trous Wreck.
Nv CAROLINE HUNTER.

coach on the absurd ltIle tTalu ~
was a branch road running out into
the country, a road managed by
few rustic Off Gals who ran their trains
with a fine disregard OF schedule, and
would gladly slow down to exchange
items Of local gossip with farmer
at a crossing.
1t was, nevertheless, the home road
aud Rand had not come home since
he had gone away to the city ten years
before, lad Of seventeen. He rec
ognized the old brakeman and the con-
ductor, but they eyed him as strang-
or. 1t was small wonder. Ten years
had dealt kindly with his big, clumsy
boy whose green crocheted tie and Ill
made coat one scarcely saw because
his face was 80 sincere and strong.
The conductor of the little train beheld
now a successful business man, "a city
fellow" yet one, II he had looked more
closely, whose eyes were still frank
aud true.
Rand did not make himself known
to them. He caught himself wishing
aware at the same time that he was
unreasonable to expect 1t. TO them
the years had no doubt seemed long
ar than to him He had worked hard
not pausing to observe the night OF
time And since he had met Helen.
how short the months had been. sweet
little Helen who was soon to be MS
wife.
There were only a few other pas
sengers in the car. Rand scrutlnlzed
each one imagining that he might nnd
In them some old friends Of his youth.
A few seats ahead of him sat young
woman to whom his eyes reverted
uuestioningly several times. There
was something about the wave OF her
black hair or the low coil Of 1t against
her neck that haunted him with
vague familiarity. Once she turned
little and he caught a glimpse of her
cheek. Ruth Hayes. The name un'
thought Of for SO many years hasheo
into his mind. Ruth, the pretty little
tom-bo playmate OF those early days.
But was this surely Ruth? Suddenly
she rose to put some package into the
rack overhead and in 50 doing faced
him suuarely. Her eyes met his for
second uncertainty and then smile OF
happy recognition lighted her face
She extended her hand. Rand hast
ened to grasp 1t with many assurances
of delight at his god fortune. The girl
was silent at first. but her glad eyes
welcomed him.
They sat down together and soon
fell to recalling old times One recol-
lection led to another in swift sue
cession. Did he remember the Sum
day school picnic when they ate so
much Ice cream, or would they ever
forget the time 1t poured 30 on the
straw ride to Viewers Valley? Ruth.
he soon noticed, could supply many
little details that he had forgotten.
things even that he had said or what
he had worn on some particular occa
sion. She recounted joyously many
OF their old escapades. He became ST.
lent listening and studying her. Her
face had lost some OF its old mirthful-
ness; 1t was very sweet, but just
little sad Her voice was low and
clear.
1T was you" she was saying. who
suggested going there by moonlight
You said that the moonpath across the
water WAS the most beautiful thing In
the world"
did ] say that" he laughed. How
could you ever remember"
How could ! ever forget!" she cor
rected and her voice was low with =
little tremor in It.
Rand became suddenly uncomfort-
able. He Was sorry that she had not
forgotten, and wished that old times
did not seem 80 important to her. He
fastened to change the subject
You've been away on a visit?" he
asked.
Yes" she said simply. 'and In
tended to stay until Thursday. but
something seemed to tell me ! must
come today. 1t was premonition.
don't you think" and she smiled into
his eyes"
He glanced out OF the window nerv-
ously wishing the ride was at an end.
Could 1t be possible that she had been
remembering him, caring for him all
these years."
why did you not writer" she con-
tinued after . pause. You stopped
writing before you had been gone q
year. l wanted to hear 80 much. and
you promised"
Rand offered some confused expla-
nation, and racked his brains for
safe topic of conversation. Never had
he been placed in 80 trying posi-
ton. Here was a woman who had
obviously cherished his memory for
ten years and expected that he had
done the same for her. How foolish
he thought her to cling to those chill
ish promises. business man had
no time for writing letters to play
mates OF his boyhood. Helen, he
thought would not bstray herself like
this. Yet there seemed to be moth
Ing coarse about Ruth's betrayal; she
was very self-forgetful, very sweet,
The windows OF the train were open
and the evening air blew In laden with
the old familiar fragrance Of the hay
fields. The sun had just set behind
the hills that he knew 30 well. How
beautiful 1t was, and he had been
away 30 long. Ruth turned to him
again from the peaceful scene and
there were tears on her lashes.
your native hills and meadows
have missed you, John. We have all
missed you 30"
Rand could not meet the beautiful