The Washington herald., 1917-11-05

I, arm of the conductor as he hurried
by.
Madam. you know Just much as l
do" impatiently, striding on.
| Can send a telegram" cried an
other woman. II MUST wire my hus-
band!"
Ought to be glad they've saved their
skins" muttered Warren. Look at
that female" with a grin. 'I call that
nifty get up
She was a tall angular woman in
pale blue pajamas, only partly con-
cealed by a blanket held shawl fash
ion. A row of glittering steel curriers'
fringed her face, and her bare feet
were thrust into red Pullman slippers.
Lamp that, will your" as a stout
woman hurried by, her lowered silk
kimono held up to the calves of her
beefy legs. "Cold?" as he felt Helen
shivering against him. SrCome! We'd
better go back and get on more
clothes"
They made their way back to the
top cover, which held the broken glass.
Helen hurried into her clothes.
"Oh-my purse! My money-and all
my rings" 1t was the shrill voice of
woman down the aisle. Porter.
Porter"
Can I help you?" Warren had gone
to her aid.
"Oh. 1 had It right here!" incohe-
rently. "A black silk handbag"
Where did you put it last?, de-
manded Warren.
Under the pillow. oh, somebody's
taken 1t. Then Historically, How dc
1 know it wasn't you? You're pre-
tending to help me-just as a blind"
What's this under the mattress?'
Warren's voice was ominous. THAT
it?'
"Oh. yes-yes-" with shrilI relief.
oh. beg your pardon? II didn't
Know what was saying. I'm so ex-
cited"
so 1t seems" dryly.
she accused you?" fared Helen as
Warren came back to their section.
"Oh. she just lost her head" with
an ignoring shrug. Ready? Then
let's get these things together" piling
their bags into the disordered lower
berth. We're not more than thirty
miles from st. Louis-may get in by
trolley. Come on; we'll go out and see
what's doing"
most OF the passengers were still
gathered In shivering groups by the
tracks, their incongruous apparel even
more weird in the now tightening
dawn.
A farm wagon with a load of milk
cans had driven UP. The man had
hitched his horses and was stolidIy
surveying the wreck.
WHAT'S the nearest village?' de-
manded Warren. approaching him.
"Clarxville. that's on the branch
road-'bout three miles from here"
Ihen we can get train from there
into st. Louis?'
Ones due at $50. That's what I'm
headin' for now"
GIVE you s. IL you take myself and
wife-and our hand-baggage."
Ihe farmer agreed with alacrity. and
Warren led the way to their section
ior the baggage. AS they were SHOW
ing it under the wagon seat a stout
pompous-looking man hustled up with
a flustered-
Room for two there?"
Fraid not. sir" for the one-seateo
wagon was crowded with milk cans.
A number of passengers now gath
cred about. asking questions and in
sistins that the wagon return for
them.
"Deuced cold here! Not a vno,e
window in our car, Small chance for
breakfast" we're the grumbling com
ments.
Warren. having dashed back into
the nearest sleeper, now reappeared
with handful of paper drinking cups.
Wen open up one of those cans
and have round of milk. That's all
right TO the astonished farmer; I'm
stand for it."
Lifting out one Of the big battered
cans, with the aid Of a tin pail thew
niied the paper cups and passed them
out to the crowding passengers.
some one proposed a toast, and in
the laughing informality of It all the
tension Of the whole party was re-
lieved.
The small cups were several times
reniied. In the frosty morning and
with no prospect of breakfast, the
mix was both cheering and sustain
ing.
We amt got any too much time to |
catcn tnat train" was the farmers |
warning. which finally broke up the
party.
Warren swung Helen up to the high
seat the man chirped to his browsing
norses, and they clattered down the
NIL. the passengers waving after them
with their paper cups.
A copperish glow from the East dis
peueo the mist. The creak of the
WAGON and beat Of the horses hoofs
niled the early morning stiffness.
Unmindful of the farmer as he
urged on the fat lageiug horses. HeIeY, |