The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-03-17
Observation-Disclosures.
THE MIDNIGHT LOCAL
BY JOHN DARLING.

AS the west door of the depot swung
open it hid the man sitting behind it
from view. Katherine never even
stopped to make sure it was fastened
after her. One glance up at the clock,
and she hurried over to the ticket win
dow.
Topeka" she said, in low voice.
"Baggage?" queried the young fell
low who was on duty at night. BE
cause she's coming along now, and
you've hardly time to check it,"
Il have only my suitcase" said
Katherine Thanks"
She picked it up and went out on
the platform. The up-bound train was
due any minute. AS she passed out,
that man behind the door rose quick
ly and came forward. his hat pushed
back from his face.
I'll take one to the same place,
AL" he said. with grim smile.
IT'S Topeka. Mr. Gavin, and no
sleepers on this train"
That's all right, l don't mind"
said Gavin. pleasantly. You might
telephone to her father and mother
that / have gone along to take care
of her. You understand, ALP"
Eyes, sir. All right, Mr.. Gavin" AL
Simms pursed his lips for a silent
whistle as Gavin stepped out into the
night. The midnight train pulled In,
and he saw the two board it, the girl
still UNCONSCIOUS that she was being
followed When he came back and
the Osgood house. He could hear the
prolonged ringing of the bell, and final
ly drowsy, rather testy tone asking
who 1t was.
IT'S me, Mr.. Osgood, Al Simms, at
the station; yes, sir. Mr. Gavin just
told me to call you up and say he
would look after Miss Osgood, as he
was taking the same train through to
Topeka"
Miss Osgood is upstairs In bed and
asleep"
Pardon me, Mr.. Osgood. but Just
sold her the ticket myself, and the
trains gone"
There was a faint smothered sound
like groan and a muttered word of
thanks then silence, and AL Simms
stared thoughtfully out of the dark
window pane.
On the train Katherine found a va
cant seat easily. Nearly all the occu-
pants of the car were already asleep
In varying pastures. She sat close to
the window, very cold and straight.
looking at the reflection of herself in
its darkened surface. 1t was like a
negative held to the light Her face
seemed strained and unnatural and
still its lines were all softened and
toned down.
She had hardly come to the full real
iZation that the step was taken, that
she had thrown off the bond of duty
and love that held her to her home,
and was going out to find herself.
herself for weeks, to find herself.
Somehow back home in the tumble Of
warning personalities, she had lost the
grip on her own self. At her feet was
her suitcase, and tucked half under
her skirt, her violin case. While she
had that she was never afraid. 1t
would bring her money for food and
shelter and clothes until she could
take lessons and broaden out her
scope. From Topeka she would go
east gradually. It must be easy when
one was young and alone, and all the
world lay ahead
She threw up her chin with renewed
determination and looked down the
aisle at Kenneth Gavin smiling at her.
He bowed and came leisurely forward
with outstretched hand
Nov, isn't this a lucky chance,
Miss Kitty" he exclaimed Il was
dreading the night trip, and here I
find you to talk with. Going far?"
Katherine hesitated. The one per-
son she really would have avoided
was with her. His eyes held no ques-
tioning; his voice was natural and
CHEEKY. Almost against her will she
welcomed his presence. She had al
ways felt vaguely relieved and com
forted after one of his visits up home,
although he talked with her father
usually on rare old prints. and poll
tics. either subject finding swift re-
spouse from Mr.. Osgood.
ITO Topeka" she said. 81 expect to
work there now"
That's good. 1t does anyone good
to broaden out. You must be over
twenty now"