The Springdale news., 1913-10-17
StE .IaS INSPIRED
And the Inspiration Saved Sere- na From a Drunken Mob of
 RuffianS.
By JOHANNA DUNCAN.

Copyright. f1l5, by the Mcclure News
 paper Syndicate)
 On account ot q Wdshout the train Vas two hours late and Serena peered into the darkness with great uneaslness. She was to change cars at the next stof, and having missed connection would have to stay all night his was what ~he had dread ed all the way to Texas where she vas to take position as goveruess.
 She Was ineXpressibly forlorn when she was left standing on the platform with her entire estate in her little satchel, and her unassuming trunk on end beside her
 Deuce to pay here" one brakeman called to another. The place has just burnt up
 The air was full of smoke, so full, she felt the tears coming to her willing eyes as she shuddered with fright when several very grimy citizens open ly regarded her
 The station agent bustling about With his lantern came toward her after q few moments. inquring as to wheth- TT she expected anyone to meet her He was straight young person with pair of fine eyes. but his face was ter rfbly dark and lis whole appearance indescribably awry
 No, l an to take the Modena train. but the conductor says l have missed connections
 Yes, the last one has pulled out un- til three in the morning"
 'Will you be kind enough to take me 10 the hotel29 the girl asked, regarding dabiousls his smutty yisage.
 Why. there is no hotel, he replied all the town except what you see, is burned to the ground
 Isn't there boarding house any where ir the suburbs D.
 The ageEt smiled Not that could take you to. hat come inside to the fire and We NH thiak it over"
 Jack hsadaL you are in luck for once, lie sad to himself as he seized the long poker and stirred the fire in the tall stove, the light from the glow the coals making more radiant the beauty of his belated visitor
 I have fought fire all day. he said eteerully, and knew what 10 do, but this is q situation I am not able to cope with. There IS no place near that l consider safe enough to take you The few men left are mostly drunk.
 Why not fake me to your boarding place. Where are you going to stay?"
 .I always sleep on a couch tn the Inner office have no night work. but this s better than uptown take my meals at the hotel There were only few houses here, and they are wiped out. We sent the women and children to Modena on the train you missed, and the men are making the best, or rather the worst of il
 At that moment some shrill and hoarse shieks were heard approaching, and Serena came around to the agent $ side of the stove
 Do you think they are killing each other?"
 No danger of that" he laughed Tt would not matter if they did He dis appeared for few moments and re turned from the inner office with a clean face and his hair brushed "If you will allow me, Serena requested meekly. T will just sit here all night until the train comes. and will try not to be in your way
 That would be very uncomfortable for you and I could not think of it. The chief trouble is that some of the men will be here to sleep in this place l am expecting them at any moment.
 Cant you hide me-" She came a step closer and her eyes were dilating with fright.
 I'm afraid not, but We can act a part You must be very i'll or old or something anything to keep them out, for they are very rough set. Gan { you manage to masquerade2 will tell them the passenger is ill., and has tC occupy the waiting-room alone, then l will stay outside and mount guard ' He brought in his couch, put fresh case on the pillow and made the rest ing place as comfortable as possible all with the personal air of a Pull man porter.
 Indeed l cannot let you give me your couch" the girl stammered. "If you will only"
 There is nothing else to do. l must take care of the Modena passengers as best 1 can. Don't be frightened will lock you in and take good care oi you"
 He put out the lamp as he spoke closed the stove door. and In another moment was outside and had locked her in.
 Serena began to pray aloud in her fright. The crowd was coming nearer