Evening star., 1914-04-05

read another chapter in the timetable. AT
four-twenty in the morning, he noted,
small local train would leave tor Jackson
Vile He decided he would take it. With
no parlor cars, no slecpers, he would not be
likely to encounter upon it any of the start
led wedding party bound North
THE call he left did not snaterialize, and
it was four o'clock when he awoke.
Hastily in the chill dawn he bade farewell
to town and hotel In fifteen minutes he
toward the small yellow station set on the
towns edge. He glanced feverishly at his
watch. There was need of haste; for this
train was made up in San Marco, and had
had as vet no chance to be late.
He rushed through the gate just as it was
being closed and caught dreary little train
in the very act Of pulling out. Gloomy oil
lamps sought vainlv to lessen the dour as
pect OF its two coaches. Painting, he en-
tered the rear coach and threw himself and
his bag into seat.
Five seconds later he glanced across the
aisle-and discovered in the opposite seat
Miss Cynthia Aeyrick, accompanied by
very sleepy-eyed family!
"The devil said Minot to himself. He
knew that she would see in this utter acci-
dent nothing save deliberate act of follow
ing What use to protest his innocence?
He considered moving to another seat.
But such theatric act could only increase
the embarrassment Already his presence
had been noted. Aunt Mary had given him
a glare, Spencer Afeyrick scowl, the girl
cloudy. vague "Where have | seen this per-
son before? glance in passing.
Might as we'll make the best of it. He
settled himself in his seat. Once again, as
ba tp
his eyes on the landscape without,-the dim
landscape with the royal palms waving like
ghosts in the halflight. The train sped on.
A most uncomfortable situation! If only
it would grow light! 1t seemed so silly to be
forced to find the view out the window en-
trancing while it was still very dark!
Spencer AIeyrick went forward to the
smoker. Aunt Mary, weary of life, slid
gently down to slumber. Her unlovely
snore filed the dim car.
How different this from the first ride to-
gether The faint pink Of the sky grew
brighter Now Minot could see the gray
and there a squalid shack where human be-
ings lived and knew nothing of life. And
beside him he heard sound as of large
body being shaken. also the cultural protest
of Aunt Mary at this inconsiderate treat
ment
Aunt Mary triunphed. Her snore rose
to shatter the smoky roof. Three times
AIinot dared to look. and each time wished
he hadn't. The whole sky was rosy now.
Somewhere off behind the horizon the good
old sun was rising to go to work for the
passenger department Of the coast railroad.
Some sense looking out now. Allnot saw
a shack that seemed familiar-then another
next a station, bearing on its sad shingle
the cheerv name Of Sunbeam and close
to the station gloomy in the dawn, desic-
Gated chauffeur beside an aged automobile.
AInot turned quickly, and caught Gym
thia AIeyrick in the act OF peering over his
shoulder. She had seen the chauffeur too.
THE train had stopped a moment, but
was under way again In those brown
eyes Minot saw something wistful, some
thing hurt-saw things that moved him to
put everything to sudden test. He leaped
to his feet and pulled madly at the belcord.
"What-what have you done?' Startled,
she stared at him.
"Ive stopped the train. I'm going to ride
to Jacksonville as rode to San Marco
ages ago. I'm not going alone"
"Indeed?'
"Quick! The conductor will be here in
minute. Here's card and pencil-write
note for Aunt Mary. Say you'll meet them
in jacksonville! Hurry, please"
"Mr. Minot!' with great dignity.