The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-09-24
CHAPTER I.
March Comes In Like the Lion.

INAAhN a ANAA fA NNA cIAASNANo 70
Ed0Rgeide the little station, and a re-
snctant porter opened his vestibule
door 20 descend to the snow-swept plat,
arm: q solitary passenger had
-eached the journeys end. The swirl
ut euOw and sieet screaming out OF the
etackness at the end OF the station
building enveloped the porter in an
instant, and cut his ears and neck with
stiaging force as he turned his back
agninst the gale. A pair OF lonely.
sail-obscused platform lights cleaned
istuously at the top of their icy posts
Vt each and of the station; two or
ehYee fr~ost-incrusted windows glowed
Gully I'm the side Of the building, while
shone brightly where the operator
sat waiting for the passing of No. SO.
an order had been Issued for the
<topping of the fast express at B,
a noteworthy concession In these days
Of pySmeditated haste. Not in the pre-
sfouq career of flying 33 had It even so
much as slowed down for the insig-
uifcant little station, through which
" swooped at midnight the whole year
Found. Just before pulling out of New
York ON this eyentful night the con
dpctO- received a command to stop
80 at B. and let down a single pas
SSuger, q circumstance which meant
asouhle for every dispatcher along the
enc.
The woman who got down at B.
81 the wake of the shivering but defer
~atial porter, and who passed by the
conductors without lifting her face,
was without hand luggage of any de-
scription. She was heavily yelled, and
warmly clad in furs. At eleven o'clock
chat night she had entered the COM
HartIuent in New York. Throughout
Gbe thirty miles or more she had sat
alone and inert beside the snow
abogged window, peering through veil
and frost into the night that whizzed
g2st the pane, seeing nothing yet APP
Darentiy intent on all that stretched
aeyond. AS still, as immobile as
death itself she had held herself from
he moment of departure to the instant
xa2t brought the porter with the word
chat they were whistling for b.
without a word she arose and fol-
bowed him to the vestibule, where she
watched him as he unfastened the
outer door and lifted the trap. A
ningle word escaped her lips and he
held ont his hand to receive the crum.
aIed bill she clutched in her gloved
Cngers. He did not look at It. He
anew that it would amply reward him
so- the brief exposure he endured on
che lonely, wind-swept platform of a
citation, the name OF which he did not
Know.
She took several uncertain steps In
Sae direction Of the station windows
aad stopped, as IL bewildered. Already
the engine was pounding the air with
ezick, vicious snorts in the effort to
get under way; the vestibule trap and
door closed with a bang; the wheels
were c%reaking. A bitter wind smote
her in the face; the wet, hurting sleet
crashed against the thin veil, binding
Der.
The door Of the waiting room across
the platform opened and a man rushed
toward her.
Mrs. Wrandall?" he called above
Che roar OF the wind.
She advanced quickly.
Yes"
What a night" he said, as much tc
himself as to her. pm sorry you
would insist on coming tonight. To
morrow morning would have satisfied
the"
rs this Mr.. Drake?"
They were being blown through the
door into the waiting room as she put
the question. Her voice was muffled
The man in the great fur coat put his
weight against the door to close 1t.
Yes, Mrs. Wrandall. / have done
all that could be done under the cir
eumstances. am sorry to tell you
that we still have two miles to go by
motor before we reach the inn. My
a is open-I don't possess a limou
sine-but IL you will lie down In the
fonreau you will find some protection
FROM"
she broke In sharply, impatiently
~Psay do not consider me, Mr.. Drake
y am not afraid of the blizzard"
Then we'd better be off," said he
o note Of anxiety in his voice-a Ger
tain touch of 81 drive
nay own car. The road Is good, but
shall drive cautiously. Ten minutes
perhaps. IL am sorry you though,
best q brave this wretched-"
Il am not sorry for myself, Mr.
Drake. but for you. You have beer
most kind / did not expect you to
meet me-"
Il took the liberty of telephoning to
yCu- 1t was well that l did 1t early
IN the evening. The wires are dowr
nov. I fear" He hesitated for a mo
mert, staring at her as IL trying tc
uesvetrate the thick. wet veil. II may
have brought you on a FOOLS errand
Ypu eco, III have seen Mr.. Wrandall
ou< Onc In town somewhere. and
nxg be wrong. Still. the coroner-an
~ sherif--seemed to think YOU
ekruId be notified might say Ques
efpned. That Is why ] called you up
I crust. madam. that ! am mistaken
SYen." she said Bhrilly. betraying the