The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-11-02

81 ~ ! fS-!l
The promontory, he found, formed
the eastern extremity ofIa:wide-armed
II shallow harbor Where rode at moor
ings considerable number OF small
craft-pleasure vessels assorted about
equally with fishing boats. And barely
en eighth OF a mile on, long.legged
wharyes stood knee.deep2in the water,
like tentacles flung out from the sleepy
little fishing village that dotted the
rising ground-a community OF per
hape two hundred dwellings.
Nor was this all-even as Alan hove
in view of the village he'heard series
Of staccato shorts, the harsh tolling Of
a brazen bell. the rumble OF train
pulling out from a station. And then
he saw its devastating Of lights fash
athwart the landscape and vanish as
its noise died away dimlnuendo.
Where one train ran another must.
He need only now secure something
to revive Rose, help her somehow up
the beach. and in another hour or two.
of certainty, they would be speed.
ing northwards, up the cape, toward
Boston and the land OF law and order.
Such thoughts as these. at least,
made up the texture of'his hopes; the
outcome proved them somewhat too
presumptuous. He logged down a
quiet village street and into the rail:
road station just as the agent was clos:
ing up for the night. III
A surly citizen, this agent, fll-pleased
to have his plans disordered by chance
flung strangers. He greeted Alan's
breathless query with grunt OF in
grained churlishness.
"Nah," he averred, they amt. no
more trains till mornin'. Can't y see
I'm shuttin' up?"
But surely there must be tele-
graph station"
"You bet your life they is-right
here In this depot. An I'm shuttin'is
up too"
night?" ~
Hes going. I'm the op'rator. No
business transacted after office hours.
Call raound. at eight o'clock tomor-
row mornin'. Now II you'll Jest step
out OF that door, I'll say g'd-night to
YOU" ,.r.
f"But must send telegram" Alan
protested. Il tell you, ] must. It's
a matter of}lIfe and death 4
sure, young Teller. It always dis
after business hours" !i!stfS
Wont you open up again. =
IT tell you, no"
In desperation Alan rammed a hand
into his trousers pocket. "Wlll dol.
lar influence your better Judgment
he suggested shrewdly. s,
Lets see your dollar" the other re-
turned with no less craft-open In
credulity informing his countenance.
And, surely enough, Alan brought
forth an empty hand.
Make light" he said sharply. MY
moneys in belt round my waist.
Open your office. You'll get your dol
lar, all right"
"All right" he grumbled, reopeninE
the door OF the telegraph booth and
making second light inside. There's
blanks aud pencil. Write your mes:
sage. 1t amt often do this-bnt III
make an exception for you"
Alan delayed long enough only to
make few inquiries, drawing out
the information that. for one who had
not patience to wait the morning
train northbound. the quickest way
to any city of Importance was by boat
across Buzzard's bay to New Bedford
Boats, it was implied, were plenti'
full, readily to be- chartered.
A timetable supplied all other need
full advice. Alan wrote his message
swiftly.
Addressed to Digby, his man Of
business in New York, 1t required that
gentleman to arrange for a motor-cor
to be held in waiting on the water
front OF New Bedford from tS:o0"a. m
until called for in the name Of Mr.
Law, as we'll as for special train a
Providence, on similar provisions:
But now, though he was all uneon.
scious OF. the fact. he went no more
alone. ,..,,,..
His shadow in the moonlight Kept
him company upon the sands; and
above, on the edge Of the bluffs, an
other shadow moved on parallel
course and at pace sedulously pat
termed after his. i
He found his sweetheart and MS
friend much as he had left them. with
this difference-that Mr.. Barcus nov
lay fiat on his back and snoring
Justify. AZ,
He was wakened quickly enough
however, by Alan's news.
But when. it was the turn OF Rose
they faltered. She lay SO STILL be
trayed her exhaustion SO patiently IL
every line of her unconscious posture
as well as in the sharp pallor Of heI
face upturned to the moon, that i
seemed scarcely less than downright
irihumanity to disturb her. s.
4 IA 81 h4H q