The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-18
The EDening Story
Romance at BIueville.
(By Louise Oliver.)


Blueville was not scheduled as a stop.
but the engine needed water. In fact.
the water tank and station just about
constituted the village.
Marian would never have thought of
Drawing the singing February wind
had not hunger driven her out. In
her hurry to make the noon train
upon receipt of a telegram, she had
missed luncheon and the train had
| proved to-be devoid of even tray of
fruit. 1t was now o'clock, and
Brighton, her destination, was two
hours away. Assured that it would
take ten minutes to supply the en-
CINE with water and that sometimes
the station agent supplied the travel
ers with a smack" of something to
eat Marian ventured forth.
The little waiting room, with its egg
stove aSlow, was gratefully warm. But
| the oilcloth covered counter was
guiltless of food and the ticket office
| minus an occupant.
| Marian waited for someone to come,
meanwhile watching the clock anx-
iously. Precious minutes were passing
Her usually vivacious face showed
| fatigue, her mouth dropped and every
| inch of her looked forlorn.
She was turning toward the door
! when the stranger lifted his hat. 81
beg your pardon, but as the agent
doesn't seem to be around just now,
perhaps you will permit me to hunt
up lunch for you. He may have
something hidden under the counter
Marian frightened instantly. That's
very kind, I'm sure. 1 am dreadfully
hungry and the train leaves in five
minutes, so if you don't mind foraging
1 shall be very grateful
'Tm-afraid-' came from behind
the counter a minute later, that there
isn't much here" Marian watched
the top of his hat bob up and down,
and finally come up to stay. The man
set bottle of pop on the counter.
then, diving again, produced a plate
of dry-looking doughnuts and part of
a pineapple cheese This is all 1 can
find" he apologized. He lifted a
doughnut, regarding it curiously. ''Tll
bet they dug these up in Egypt"
Marian drew back, for hungry as
could touch. Moreover time was fly
ing and she would have to go. She
turned to the door. THANK you
very much for your trouble just the
same, but as the train will leave in
minute 7 am afraid I must go. Good
evening"
He hurried to the door and held
it open for her. The storm had in
creased in violence, almost carrying
Marian off her feet Fine sleet cut
into their faces. He took her arm
and together they fought their way
across the platform through the storm.
Then they stopped suddenly, aghast.
The track was empty and the train
gonei It had slipped away, it's noise
drowned by the screaming wind.
by George, that's too bad!" he
shouted into her ear. Marian was
thankful now for the storm and dark
ness, for she could not keep back the
tears any longer.
There seemed to be nothing to do
but to go back to the empty station |
which offered protection at least from
the storm. She might have to wait
some time Cor the next train.
AS they went into the little waiting |
room for the second time, the fumes |
of tobacco notified the travellers that |
the agent had come in, evidently by |
some other way.
Hello, Bob! Where on earth have
you been?" asked Marian's would-be
benefactor. while we were waiting |
for You to hunt us a bite to eat, the |
train vamoosed and left u.s."
Marian heard the other man whis-
tie with surprise Then L am afraid
you are up against it, Mr. Hays. There
isn't another train tonight
But I've got to get to Brighton be-
fore IL o'clock" Marian interposed
excitedly. II must! I've got to, Oh,
what shall do?'
The young man looked at her grave
ly. 1--WE got to get there tonight, TOO!
Can't you manage something, Bob?
You might flag a freight"
job. There's an express that stops at
Drexel at o'clock, but it's fifteen
miles and you couldn't drive there in
time to catch it now"
Marian dropped imply to a seat
The man went to the door and stepped
70 tell his idea of the whole
business to the elements.
In a few minutes he burst into the
waiting room. Say. Bob. there's a
gasoline work car down the track! Is
she all rigkt?"
ct guess so. The men left her there
fore Christmas on the siding. Why,
what were you thinking Of? It's
frozen over like a wedding cake"
81 was thinking said the man,
that as know enough about them to
run one. we might thaw eff the icing
with hot water and I could get this
young LADY to Drexel in time to catch
the express Any gasoline around the
place do you suppose?"
why. there's a bari of gasoline
back of the freight house. Been there
all winter. But. say, there's lots of
freight trains. You'd get killed"
No, we won't! Now. Bob. you get
The water on to heat. will you? and if
you can scare up a little hot coffee
some place for this lady and myself
I'll dance at your wedding
I'm married. grinned Bob. enter
ng into the spirit of the thing, but
I'll help all 1 can just the same,,''
getting out not only the coffeepot but !
also a skillet for bacon and eggs I
There, Mr.. Hays. That waters hot l
now. 1 put some salt in it. Thaws
Iuickeri"
By the time the little car was ready 9
he wind had Gained. and Marian,
wrapped to her ears in a borrowed I
,obe, sat like a queen on the soap box [
he men had found for her. In a min
lite they were sliding along in the I
darkness, their lanterns Illuminating )
he rails only couple of feet ahead t
Marian was frightened, but gave no y
'ign. She would have risked her life Z