The daily Alaskan., 1918-09-10

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 The train for Winchester and points south pulled out on time, although even then the tracks were deep with the snow that had been falling stead- fly for 24 hours. Because of the storm her friends had endeavored 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 goOd-by with apparent light heartedness. '# f."t
 In reality she was apprehensive. She dreaded the delay to which she might be subjected. She was in haste to reach Staunton, at which place she would still be F miles from home, and the prospect of the long drive over country roads late at night did not ap- peal to her.
 But she made herself comfortable, looked about, taking an inventory of the passengers. Seeing no one whom she knew, she applied herself to her knitting with an occasional glance out of the frost-rlmmed window while the train kept on Its way with ever-in- creasing slowness. There was pause now and then for some passenger to allght. Then the train would start on again with ever-diminishing speed. Finally it came to a dead stop, appar- ently miles from anywhere. The worst had happened. They had run into a drift and were stalled. And this oc- cured before they had reached Win chester, not many miles from Wash. ington.
 It 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 out 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 gry. 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 said to her:
 "Even If you are not on speaking terms with me, Louise, I think for the moment you had better call truce. Stand up, please, while l put this around you."
 Her teeth were chattering, but she managed a "N-no, I 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 cranlng their heads to see what the fuss is about" -
 "T.that is the t-trouble with y-you, Louise chattered. "Y-you always t-try to make m-me do things don't want to-"
 "I pretty generally have my way" the young fellow said grimly, his Jaw taking a set look. "When l don't, things are bound to happen. Will 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 slx-feet-two-drew back, his face white. Then he took hel hand and drew her to her feet.
 "I must say" he muttered, q had no idea you could act so foolishly. know you have quarreled with me, but that Is no reason you should freeze to death when I can make you comfort. able." He drew the coat we'll about her, then seated himself. "What Is 1t all about2 Your ring Is in my pocket with note that I haven't been able to make anything of. After you are warm you are going to give me an e1 planation. Here's some chocolate Nibble on 1t and perhaps your dispo, sition will improve" He pushed the package into her reluctant hand, clos ing her fingers upon 1t. ...s'-- 70
 q saw you when we left the Union station, and If 1t had not been for this confounded storm would have left the train without speaking to you but now, believe me, there will be 6 perfect understanding between us be fore we are out of this." ..-' - The warmth of the fur-llned coat was having its effect, and without con sciously doing so, Louise was taking little bites of chocolate, thereby find ing a comfort she had not known be fore. She looked at the big fellow an6 remarked casually:
 "It is very good of you to take this trouble. I did not appreciate how colo I was, nor how hungry" Here she bii into the chocolate with every evidence of enjoyment. DO you always carry