The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-05-01
CHAPTER !.
March Comes Like the Lion.

up from New York, came TO stand
still, with many an ear-splitting sigh'
alongside the little station, and re-
tuctant porter opened his vestibule
door TO descend to the snow-swept plat
form: a solitary passenger had
reached the journeys end. The swirl
of snow and sleet screaming out or the
blackness at the end OF the station
building enveloped the porter In an
instant, and cut his ears and neck with
etinging force as he turned his back
against the gale. A pair OF lonely,
half-obscured platform lights cleaned
fatuously at the top OF their Icy posts
at each end OF the station; two or
three frost-incrusted windows glowed
duly in the side of the building, while
one shone brightly where the operator
Sat waiting for the passing OF No. SO.
An order had been issued for the
stopping of the fast express at B,
a noteworthy concession in these days
of premeditated haste. Not in the pre-
vious career of flying 33 had 1t even so
much as slowed down for the insig-
nificant little station, through which
1t swooped at midnight the whole year
round Just before pulling out OF New
York on this eventful night the con-
ductor received a command TO stop
SO at B and let down single pas
senger, a circumstance which meant
trouble for every dispatcher along the
line.
The woman who got down at B
In the wake of the shivering but defer
Uh
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
that night she had entered the COM
partment in New York. Throughout
the thirty miles or more she had sat
alone and inert beside the snow
clogged window, peering through veil
and frost into the night that whizzed
past the pane, seeing nothing yet ap
parently intent on all that stretched
beyond. AS still, as immobile as
death itself she had held herself from
the moment of departure to the instant
that brought the porter with the WORD
that 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
single word escaped her lips and ht
held out his hand to receive the crum
pied bill she clutched in her gloveC
fingers. He did not look at 1t. HI
knew that it would amply reward hin
for the brief exposure he endured Oh
the lonely, wind-swept platform of {
station. the name Of which he did no
know.
She took several uncertain steps II
the direction of the station window
and stopped as If bewildered. Alread,
the engine was pounding the air Wit
quick, vicious snorts in the effort L
get under way; the vestibule trap am
door closed with a bang; the wheel
were creaking. A bitter wind smot
her in the face; the wet, hurting slee
crashed against the thin veil, blindin
her
The door OF the waiting room acros
the platform opened and a man rushe
toward her.
Mrs. Wrandall?" he called abov
the roar OF the wind.
She advanced quickly.
Yes"
What a night" he said, as much
himself as to her. I'm sorry yo
would insist on coming tonight. TX
morrow morning would have satisie
the"
"Is this Mr.. Drake"
They were being blown through tn
door into the waiting room as she pu
The question Her voice was mufflet
cThe man in the great fur coat put hi
weight against the door to close 1t.
"Yes, Mrs. Wrandall. l have don
ali that could be done under the ci
cumstances. / am sorry to tell yo
that we still have two miles to go b
motor before we reach the inn. NJ
car is open-I don't possess a limo,
sine-but IL you will lie down in th
sonneau you will find some protectio
from"
She broke In sharply. inpatient
sPray do not consider me, Mr.. Drak
am not afraid OF the blizzard"
Then we'd better be off," said b
a note OF anxiety in his voice-a ce
tain touch OF nervousness. II dri'
my own car. The road is good, but
shall drive cautiously. Ten minute
perhaps. IL am sorry you though
hest TO brave this wretched-"
Il am not sorry for myself, NJ
Drake, but for you. You have bee
most kind / did not expect you
meet me-"
'I took the liberty OF telephoning
you. II was well that / did 1t ear
On the evening. The wires are dow
now. fear" He hesltated for m
ment, staring at her as II trying
penetrate the thick. wet veil. Il ms
have brought you on a fools errsn
You see. IL have seen Mr. Wranda
but once, in town somewhere, and
may be wrong. Still, the coroner-ar
the sheTif-eeemed 10 think "
should be notified might say cue
toned. That is why I called you U
n f~su trssTl