Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-07-25
Fifteen Hours
in Durance
IN
BY SUSAN cLAoGETT


south pulled out on time, although
even then the tracks were deep with
the snow that had been falling stead
lily for "a hoars. Because Of the storm
her friends had endeayored to per-
suade Louise Cochran TO remain In
Washington, but she had laughed at
their prophecies that unpleasant
things would happen and had wished
them eood-by with apparent light
hea.tedness,
In reality she was apprehensive.
She dreaded the delay to which she
might be subjected. She WIS In haste
to reach Staunton, at which place she
would still be II miles from home, and
the prospect OF the long drive over
country roads late at night did not APP
peal to her.
But she made herself comfortable,
locked about, taking an inventory Of
the passengers. Seeing no one whom
she knew, she applied herself to her
knitting with an occasional glance ont
of the frost-rimmed window while the
train kept on It's way with ever-in-
creaslng slowuess. There was pause
now and then for some passenger TO
nlight. Then the train would start on
again with eyer-diminishlng speed.
Finally 1t came to a dead stop, appar-
emily miles from anywhere. The worst
he'd happened. They had run into
drift and were stalled. And this oc-
CURED before they had reached Win
chester, not many miles from Wash
ington.
II Is one thing to be showed up with
plenty of warmth In the coaches, an
other when the thermometer gets
down to zero and there Is no heat.
Something went wrong with the steam.
The passengers were the usual crowd,
some among them making light OF
the discomfort, others grumbllng, but In
the end the women took ont their
knitting and the men, having found
several packs Of cards, settled down
to seven-up or poker
But after several hours one and all
snuggled down into their wraps, and
accepted the inevitable. It was cold,
horribly cold, and everyone was hun
cry Louise had divided her lunch be-
tween two little girls sitting near her.
Between hunger and cold she was feel
Ing very forlorn when familiar voice
snld to her:
Even If you are not on speaking
terms with me, Louise, / think for the
moment you had better call a truce.
Stand up, please, while I put this
around you"
Her teeth were chatterlng, but she
managed 'TN-no, / am c-comfort.
able, thank you"
Don't be silly girl" Robert Lee
said roughly. MY coat cannot hurt
You. Stand up or will pick you up.
Surely you do not want everyone In
the car cranIng their heads to see
what the fuss Is about"
"T-that Is the t-trouble with y-you."
Louise chartered. "Y-you always
t-try to make NINE do things I
don't want to-"
81 pretty generally have my way
the young fellow said grlmly, his jaw
taking a set look. "When | don't,
things are bound to happen. VIVA you
stand up?"
She did not move, and he stopped
over, slipping his arm behind her
shoulders. She shrank from him and
the boy--for he was little more than a
boy in spite OF his siSfeet-two-drew
back, his face white. Then he took her
hand and drew her to her feet.
81 must say" he muttered. ~ had
no Idea you could act so foolishly. l
know you have Quarreled with me. but
that IL no reason you should freeze TO
death when | can make you comfort
able" He drew the coat we'll about
her, then seated himself. "What is 1t
all about? Your ring Is in my pocket
with n note that haven't been able
20 make anything Of. After you are
warm YOU are going 10 give me an ex.
PLANTATION. Here's some chocolate
Nibhle ON il and perhaps your dispo-
sition will improve" He pushed the
package into her reluctant hand, clos
Ing her fingers upon II.
81 saw YOU when we left the Union
station, and If Il had not been for this
Confounded storm I would have left
the train without speaking to you
but NOW, believe me, there viii be a
perfect understanding between US be
fore We are out of this"
The warmth Of the furlined coat
was having its effect, and without con-
sciously doing so Louise was taking
little bites of chocolate, thereby find.
ing comfort she had not known be.
fore. She looked at the big fellow and
remarked casually;
ut is very good Of You to take this
trouble. | did not appreciate how cold
| was nor how hungry" Here she bit
into the chocolate with every evidence
Of enjoyment, ''Do you always carry
sweets about with your"
But he was absorbed in the contents
Of note he had taken from his pocket
and did not answer. when az last he
raised his head there was curlous
contraction OF his eyes aud bulldog
set to his chin that bespoke something
of that animals tenacity
q q 80