Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-11-29

between the curtains into the aisle,
eyes toward the stateroom door, just in
quietly down the ~passageway out OF
the end door, carrying two suit cases
and an umbrella. 1t was his man. He
was sure instantly, and his mind grew
frantic with the thought. Almost he
had outdone himself through foolish
sleep.
He half sprang from his berth, then
remembered that he was but partly
dressed, n jerked pack quickly to
grab his clothes, stopping in the oper-
alton of putting them on to yank up
his window shade with an impatient
click n flatten his face against the
window pane!
Yes. there they We're down on the
ground outside the train, both of them;
man. woman. baggage and all slipping
away from him while he slept peace
fully and let them go. The language
of his mind at that point was hot with
invectives.
Gordon had made his way back to
the girls side without meeting any
porters or wakeful fellow passengers.
Blu q distant rumbling greeted his
ears. The waited for express was COM
ing. If they We're to get away, it must
be done at once or their flight would
be discovered, n perhaps eve pre-
vented. 1t certainly was better not to
w AASA Wan. 5|l u u
had taken the p~recaution to close the
stateroom door behind him, and so it
might be some time before their alb
sence would be discovered. Perhaps
there would be other stops before the
train reached Buffalo, in which case
their track would not easily be fol-
lowed. He had no idea that the evil
eye of his pursuer was ever Their upon
him.
Celia was already ON h ground.
looking off toward the little village
wistfully. Just how 1t was to make
train and run away to a strange little
village she did not quite explain to
herself, but it seemed to be a relief to
her pent up feelings. She vas half
afraid h a George might raise some
new objection when he returned.
Gordon swung himself down on the
cinder path, scanning the track either
way. The conductor and brakemen
were not in sight. Far in the distance
a black speck was rushing down upon
them. Gordon could hear the vibration
of h rail of the second track, upon
which he placed his foot as he helped
Celia across. In a moment more the
train would pass. 1t was important
that they should be down the embank-
ment, out Of sight. Would the delicate
girl not be afraid of the steep incline?
She hesitated for just al In
slant at the top, for it was very
steep, Then. looking up at him, she
with him.. She gave a little frightened
gasp, set her lips n started.
He held her as we'll as he could with
two suitcases and an umbrella clutched
IN his other hand, and finally, as the
grade grew sleeper, he let go the bag
down by itself, while he devoted him
self to steadying the girls now inevita-
BILE n swift descent.
1t certainly was not an ideal way Of
travelling. this new style OF gravity"
road, but it landed them without delay,
though much. shaken and scratched and
Invested of every vesttge OF dignity. 1t
was impossible not to laugh and Celia's
voice rang out merrily, showing that
she had not always wept and looked
sorrowful.
Are you hurt?" asked Gordon anx-
iously, holding her hands and looking
down at her tenderly.
Before she. could reply, the express
train roared above them, drowning
their voices M laughter; and when
1t was past they saw their own train
take up it's interrupted way grumbling-
ly. and rapidly move off. IL the pas
sengers on those two trains had not
been deeply wrapped in slumber, they
might have been surprised to see two
~fashionably attired young persons, with
hats awry and clasped hands, laugh
ing In a country road at 5 o'clock of a
May morning. But only one was awake.
n by the time the two in the Dad
below remembered to look up and take
notice, the trains We're rapidly disap-
pearing.
me girl had been deeply impressed
with Gordon's so%licitude for her. 1t
was so out Of keeping with his letters.
He had never seemed to care whether
she suffered or not. In all the arrange
ments, he had said what he wanted. in
deed what he would have. with an i'm
piled threat in the framing of his SEN
tence in case she dared demur. Never
had there been the least expression of
desire for her happiness. Therefore it
was something Of a surprise to find
him so gentle and thoughtful of her.
Perhaps, after all. he would not prove
SO terrible to live with as h had
feared. And yet-how could anyone
who wrote those letters have any al
leviating qualities? It could not be.
She must harden herself against him.
Still, II he would be Outwardly decent
to her. 1t would make her lot easier. of
course
But her course of mental reasoning
was broken in upon by his stout de-
nunciations Of himself.
Il ought not to have allowed you to
slide down there" he declared. TT was
terrible, after what you went through
last night. I didn't realize how steep
n rough 1T was. Indeed l didn't. I
don't see how you ever can forgive me-
why. I'm not hurt" she said gently,
astonished at his solicitations. There
was a strange lump in her throat
brought by his kindness. which threat
ened tears. just why should kindness
from an unexpected quarter bring
tears?
I'm only a little shaken m" she
went. ON as she saw a real anxiety in
his brown eyes, and I don't mind 1t
in the least. l think It Was rather fun.
don't you?"