The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-08-23
Fifteen Hours
in Durance
yht. 1918. by the Mcclure Newsps
per Syndicate.)

By SUSAN cLAooErT

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
l(Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate)
The train for Winchester and points
south pulled out ON time, although
even then the tracks were deep will
the snow that had been falling stead
lily for "a hours. Because of the storm
her friends had endeavored to per
suade Louise Cochran to remain II
Washington, but she had laughed a
their prophecies that unpleasant
things would happen and had wished
them good-by with apparent light
heartedness.
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 IL miles from home, and
1.-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
or the frost-rimmed window while the
train kept on its way with ever-in.
creasing slowness. There was pause
now and then for some passenger to
alight. Then the train would start on
again with ever-diminishing speed.
Finally 1t came to a dead stop, appar-
emily 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.
1t 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 grumbling, 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. n
But after several hours one and all
Struggled down into their wraps, and
accepted the Inevitable. 1t 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
said to her:
SEVEN If you are not on speaking
terms with me, Louise, I think for the
moMent you had better call truce.
Stand up, please, while I 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
sa1d roughly. my coat cannot hurt
you. Stand up or I 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
TRY to make NINE do things I
don't want to-"
II pretty generally have my way"
the young fellow said grimly, his jaw
taking a set look. "When / don't,
things are bound to happen. VIII 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
boy In spite of his six-feet-two-drew
back, his face white. Then he took her
hand and drew her to her feet.
IT must say" he muttered. 81 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 can make you comfort
able" He drew the coat well about
her, then seated himself. "What is 1t
all about? Your ring is In my pocket
with a note that I haven't been able
to make anything of. After you are
warm you are going to give me an ex-
PLANTATION. Here's some chocolate.
Nibble on 1t and perhaps your dispo-
sitinn- uillimprove." He pushed the
package into her reluctant hand, clos
Ing her fingers upon 1t.
II saw you when we left the Union
station, and II 1t had not been for this
confounded storm I would have left
the train without speaking to you,
but now, believe me, there will be
perfect understanding between us be-
fore we are out Of this"
The warmth Of the fur-lined 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:
'Tt is very good Of you to take this
trouble. did not appreciate how cold
: ] vas, nor how hungry" Here she bit
Into the chocolate with every evidence
of enjoyment. "Do you always carry