The Washington herald., 1914-08-09

blood flaming red in her face. Blind1y
she turned to the door, through the hall
to the porch. down the gravel path,
pushing open the iron gate, which swung
to with clang. Down the street to the
FIRST corner, turning it quickly that she
might be out of sight of the house. To
get away-that was her only thought.
Never again to enter the house where
she had been 50 fagrantly insultedl I'm
conscious of streets or direction she
walked on and on, her face still Grim
son, her eyes ablaze.
Soon she found herself in a ragged,
struggling part of the town Small, un-
kept cottages lined the road. Just
ahead was a railroad crossing. some
freight cars stood on a side track. HeI
heart leaped Was the station near by:
In an instant her mind was clear-her
plan distinct.
But as she drew near the tracks she
saw only a tumble-down shed. Some
boys were playing around the abandoned
freight cars. They stared at her curl
ously; for the first time she Has con-
scious of her riding habit
Is the station near here?' she called
up TO them.
The z. & Y. station?" One of them
had jumped from the car, and came run
ming toward her. That's a long way
from here"
How long," desperately.
We'll, you kin follow this here track
10 Main street, then you 60 up to
Spring street, then you'll see the station
its just back o the Masonic Temple."
81 am afraid / don't know this
place very we'll. Will you 60 with me
If | give you quarter,"
The boy assented eagerly, and his
two playmates scrambled down from the
cars with the unmistakable intention OF
going also. They all three trudged
ahead OF her, filed with the importance
of their mission.
Winifred took out the snlall-changc
purse she always kept in the pocket Of
her riding habit. Only SI65-not hall
enough for her ticket The conductor
might trust her for the rest; If not, she
would go as far as this would take her
A whistle blew shrilly in the distance
That's the ? :45," one OF the boy:
called out. Did you wanter ketch
that"
"Oh, yes-yes! Can We make it,"
Il dunno. You might if you run"
Now she could hear the rush of 4
train fast approaching, and now a clang-
ing bell.
Hurry! She won't stop long, warn
ed the boy.
They were all running breathlessly
now. The station could be seen two
blocks ahead. The train was already in
Needless of the warning cry Of the
conductor. Winifred sprang onto the
last car as it was moving out. In q
fash she saw the reproachful faces OF
the boys as for a moment they ran pant
ing beside the train Their quarter! In
second she had flung back the change
In her excitement she threw it all-all
the oS cents Only the dollar bill was
LETT. She could hear their gleeful shouts
as she entered the car.
She slipped into a vacant seat. and
with a throbbing heart gazed out the
window as they sped through the out
skirts of the town When the last scat
tered houses were left behind she leaned
back with a fierce sense of exultation.
She had left II all-all the intolerable
Sights and humilistions OF the past few
days
BY this time they were looking for
her. What would they say or do' When
they realized that she had really gone,
would George turn on his father and
say: 1T is you that have done this
you have sighted and insulted her ever
since she came. And now l will follow
her, and never willingly enter this
house again" Oh, if he would only say
that! She clenched her hands. If he
would only say that.
Ticket, ma am"
The conductor was standing BY her
seat, his hand outstretched. Her deter
mination TO ask him to take her to Phil
adelphia, and let her send him the rest
OF the money, quickly vanished before
his hard, practical face. So she only
said timidly as she handed him the dol
lar:
forgot my ticket. How far will
this take me-"
You forgot your ticket"
"No-that is, mean, l forgot l didn't
have any money with me she stam-
mered confusedly.
How far do you want to go:"
To Philadelphia"
Philadelphia The fare is S42s."
Il merely asked how far that would
take me-" with sudden dignity. remem-
oering that she had asked no favor and
resenting the sharp tone OF his ques-
tons.
The fare to WoodYlle is 80 cents;
the next stop is Westchester-SI.35."
81 will take ticket to Woodville'
Winifred took the 20 cents change
and turned her flushed face to the win
dow with the feeling that the eyes of
everyone in the car were upon her, and
that they were wondering why she was
in a riding habit and why she had no
money.
Pardon me. but are you not Mrs.
George Martin-Alvin c.. Martins
iaughter-in-law?"
She started violently; a tall, gray
haired man in the seat behind her was
Gaming forward and smiling pleasantly.
"My name is Fletcher-W. G. FLEET
,her. You may have heard some OF the
family speak OF me-"
Judge Fletcher? Oh. yes" a little
.xcitedly. She remembered the beauti-
iul house George had pointed out TO her
IN the way from the depot. That is
Judge Fletcher She and father were
aw partners for many years"
With an easy courtesy he. asked per-
mission and took the seat beside her,
aging he was going only to the next
tation.
Il saw you in church this morning