The Washburn leader., 1916-02-04
A RAILROAD ROMANCE
By LOUISE OLIVER.


The little waiting room. with tts
egg stove agl0w, was gratefully warm.
But the oilcloth-covered counter was
guiltless of food aud the ticket oHce
minus an occupant
Marian waited for someone to coma
meanwhile watching the clock anx-
iously. Precious minutes were pase
ing and still no one came to serve her.
She was turning toward the door
when the stranger lifted his hat. Il
beg your pardon, but as the agent
doesn't seem to be around Just now,
perhaps you will permit me to hunt
up a lunch for you. He may have
something hidden under the counter"
Marian turned to the door again.
"Thank you, but as the train VIII
leave in minute am afraid I must
60. Good evening"
He hurried to the door and held 1t
open for her. The storm had increased
in violence, almost carrying Marian
of her feet Fine sleet cut into their
faces. He took her arm and together
they fought their way across the plat
form through the storm. Then they
stopped suddenly, aghast. The Iack
wac empty and the train gone! 1t ha1!
slipped away, its 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 60 back to the empty station.
which offered protection at least from
the storm. She might have to wait
some time for the next train.
As they went into the little waiting
room for the second time the fumes
of tobacco notified the travellers thai
the agent had come in, evidently by
some other way.
"Hello, Bob! Where on earth have
you been?" asked Marian's would-bts
benefactor. while we were waiting.
for you to hunt US a bite to eat, the
train vamoosed and left us"
Marian heard the other man whistle,
with surprise. Then am afraid yor
are up against it, Mr.. Hays. There
isn't another train tonight"
Marian dropped Imply to a seat
The man went to the door and stepped
outside to tell his idea Of the whole
business to the elements.
In few minutes he burst into the.
waiting room. "Say, Bob. there's .,
gasoline work car down the track!
Is she all right?"
Il guess SO. The men left her thers.
on the siding. Why, what were you
thinking Of? It's frozen over like a.
wedding cake"
Il was thinking" said the mar.
that as know enough about them
to run one, we might thaw of the.
icing with hot water and l could get
this young lady to Drexel in time To-
catch the express. Any gasoline
around the place, do you suppose?"
"Why, there's barl of gasoline.
back of the freight house. Been there.
all winter. But, say, there's lots OF
freight trains. You'd get killed.
mo, we won't!"
BY the time the little car was ready
the wind had calmed, and Marian.
wrapped to her ears in q borrowe1
robe, sat like queen on the soap boz
the men had found for her. In a min
ute they were sliding along into the.
darkness. their lanterns Illuminating
the rails only a couple Of feet ahead.
Marian was frightened, but gave no
sign. She would have risked her life
ON war balloon to get to Brighton
before twelve.
The car sped on past little stations
that were 40 quiet as cemetefies. Nc
freights overlook them, and at iast
the lights of Drexel appeared.
The man held his watch close to.
the lantern. "Good!" he cried. "Tea.
to Brighton"
There had been little opportunity
for conversation. In the waiting roon
at Drexel Marian tried to thank him.
There wore still two minutes before
the train was due.
WOAuOA al 'yON h1AOW INV AA40NA4 =
appreciate what you have done for
me, Mr."
Hays! Endicott HayS!''
"Mr. Hays! My name is Marlaa
Langley, and it is absolutely neces-
sary for me to be in Brighton today
1t seems that all the heirs to the Lang
ley estate are in danger of losing =
great deal Of money il don't have my
name on some stupid paper or other
before midnight" .s..a.
Endicott Hays looked at her in -
Constituent for an instant. Then, draw
ing q paper from his pocket, he cried:
"And this is the stupid paper. was
going to Brighten to find you. I'm the
lawyer in the case. They told me you
lived there!"
And after they had discovered thei,
mistake, they telegraphed me to meet
you there, 20 you had already depart,
ed" laughed Marian. Isn't it too
funny"
The mana An.v.e -.. A,o~r.a A