The Washington herald., 1915-07-30

of the train" Lambert smiled grimly
as he surveyed the waste tracts where
the station became apparent 1t was a
rough box of a place. smaller than the
average woodshed. 1t was dark and
deserted. but just across the sandy road
light burned feebly in low building.
DO you suppose I could get some
thing TO eat over there he asked.
It's a store.'' was the non-committal
answer. Il remember We put of a box
of crackers last week"
Lambert dropped to the dusty road
bed and strobe across the strip of sand
The store was closed and dark but the
light shone from the kitchen in the rear
and grumblinsly the proprietor consent
ed to accommodate the stranger.
The stock was small and uninvitins
Hog and hominy." the staple foods
were produced locally. barrel of -four
small cheese and limited stock of
canned goods constituted the grocery de-
partment. but search discovered a can
OF Vienna sauSages. some canned peaches
some soda crackers and cheese. and the
storekeeper's wife promised a pot of cof-
fee.
Lambert sat on the steps and smoked
While he waited for the coffee and pom
dered the situation. All winter he had
sought an introduction to the girl who
vas Hls oHe ielio" passenger IN tno
parlor car. He knew that her name was
Jessie Fulton and that she lived down
South Beyond that his information did
not go. dozen times he had run across
her in the city. but the opportunity for
an Introduction never came.
Here they were, joint occupants Of the
parlor car and blocked by a wreck that
promised to hold them for hours. IL not
all night The freight had gone up IN
the forenoon and had broken through a
rickety bridge. temporary bridge must
be built before they could go ahead.
The porter came across the road and
smiled as he saw Lambert. "Ahm lookin'
for some sandwiches for ma lady" he
announced She done offer me a dollah."
IN give you the dollar" he promised.
You go back and rig up a table. I'll
be right there"
The CIR. looked expectantly as Lam
bert entered bearing aloft his plumber
with your permission" he said with a
bow. I'VE will have supper as it is"
THE porter promised to get me some
thing" she protested.
L have cornered the food supply of
the town." he explained. IF my COM
pany is"
Not at ALL" she FASTENED to protest
1T will be more pleasant this way"
Lambert laid out, the food together
with the knives and forks he had Dor
rowed. and opened his various cans.
Hunger gave them appetites even for
the coarse fare and the girl was soon
chatting merrily.
Your face seems familiar" she said,
the faint color mounting to her cheeks.
I worked in the building where you
used to call on your lawyer" he ex-
planned readily. II have seen you in
the elevator more than once"
1t seems almost like knowing you
to meet down here in Georgia." she said
smllingly. Lambert beamed. To think
that after seeking her all winter he
circumstances that made for success
seemed too good to be true.
He sent the porter back with the
dishes and settled down to entertain the
girl. 1t was almost midnight before
they realized how time had been flying,
and he arranged with the porter for a
makeshift bed for Miss Fulton in the
drawing room while he occupied the
smoking room.
minal Station when they met in the
1T seems that we are out of trouble
at last" he said in greeting. THE
track was cleared about o'clock"
Il am rather sorry for It," he said
earnestly. Perhaps we may arrange
another picnic here before I go back
North. / lave a title to look up. It
may take a week. rather think 1t
will
Il shall not wait for the picnic" she
insisted. L am going to have you at
our house to breakfast. II you will
come"
IF / will conner" he repeated with
a happy laugh. why. Miss Fulton.
nothing could hold me back. Do you
know that all last winter I tried to
meet you? Now that do know you. I'm
not going to be driven away"
did you notice me. too =" she asked |
quickly.
Lambert smiled at the significance Of
the word too"
MAY heaven bless this tumble-down |
branch line" he said irrelevantly. Tt
runs from Misery to Paradise without
change Of cars"
Jesse Fulton nodded as though she |
agreed with him and they went out on |
the platform to greet her mother.
Copyright, 1915 by Mcclure Newspaper |
Syndicate.)