Evening star., 1914-12-31
SHE SPED INTO THE WOODS TO
HIDE BEHIND A FALLEN TREE.

A
left for him to read obtruded itself
In spite of all her efforts to the con-
trary, and she kept saying over and
The road was lonely one, so she
had no occasion to hide again until her
longed-for destination came into view.
The railroad station was well on the
outskirts of the place, and she would
of the town to reach it. She knew
by the sun that it would be a long
| time until the train arrived. so she
went away from the road to big
tree which threw an inviting shade
over a pasture. There she sat down
to rest, making sure that the trunk
of the tree hid her from the road.
She forgot that she was tired. that
she was hungry. and the bit of bacon
and cornbread in the basket. The
leaves of the tree danced in a. light
breeze. the birds sang. but the little
woman gave no heed; she was trying
to picture the future. trying to think
ally she took the bit of writing from
her pocket and read it for perhaps the
hundredth time since a neighbor wom-
an had smuSgled it to her few days
dust from her faded dress, wiped her
cobbled shoes on the long grass, tied
on her sunbonnet, and picking up the
basket moved on.
w
was beating rapidly. What if Clem had
come on from Norton's and was some
where on the streets. She stopped
minute and then hurried down less
station she must cross the river, and
there was only the Main street bridge.
To reach this she would have to pass
along the principal thoroughfare for
some distance.
1t needed courage to venture here,
and she stopped little while to gain
it. She could see nothing but the usual
placid flow of life in a small town.
few teams, a Few pedestrians, a car
riage or two. and an automobile. She
watched these until her fears were
overcome, and then went on into Main
street.
She had scarcely taken dozen steps
when she turned in panic. Just ahead
OF her, tied to a post. was Clem's team.
There was no mistaking the old vicious
looking sorrel horse and the detected
mule hitched together with rope
mended harness. and surely there was
no other wagon SO ramshackle in the
whole state. Glen could not be far
away; what would he do If he saw
was so near? She clutched her basket
and fled into the nearest store, remem-
bering that there was an alley run
ming back of the street to the river.
the rare occasions when he brought
her to town. taking refuge from an au-
tomobile of which the sorrel horse was
mortally afraid. Through the store
and out into the alley she hurried, not
needing the curious glances following
her.
At the river she came out on the
street through a hardware store, and
pulling her bonnet well over her face,
fairly flew across the bridge. Almost
out of breath, she reached the station
to huddle down in a corner farthest
from the door, The ticket window
was not open. but through the lattice
work surrounding it she could see the
agent intent upon his work. Finally
she ventured to knock on the door, 1t
was opened promptly.
Are you the ticket agent?" she ask
ed. timidly.
''Yes. Are you Mrs. Carson?"
Eyes, sir.
Come inside" She obeyed, and he
closed the door. What is your sis
ter's name in Chicago?"
sally Burns
What does her husband do?"
HE works for a railroad"
Have you the note l sent by Mrs.
Bradley"
Without replying. she handed him
the bit of writing read SO many times.
He took it and motioned toward a
chair BE seated, Mrs. Carson. Your
sisters husband has arranged for a