Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-17
THE BEST MAN
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Another soft clicking Of the latch
set him to listening and his brlstly
shocked head was stuck instantly out
between the curtains. into the aisle,
eyes toward the stAteroom door, just
in time to- see that q man was steal
Ing quietly down the. passAgeway out
Of the end. door, carrying two suit
cases and an umbrella. II was his
man. He was sur Instantly, and his
mind grew frantic with the thought
Almost he had outdone himself
through foolish sleep. 90
He half ,sprang from his berth, then
remembered that he was but partly
dressed, and jerked back quickly to
grab his clothes, stopping in the OPP
GRAFTON Of putting them on to yank
up his window shade with An impa-
tient click and aatten his face against
the wtndoW-pane!
Yes, there they were down on the
ground outside the train, both Of
them; man. woman. baggage and all
slept peacefully and let them 1o!' The
language Of his mind at that point
was hot with invectives,
Gordon had made hii way back to
the girls side without meeting any
porters or wakeful NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
But a distant rumbling ereeted his
ears. The Naited-for express was COM
ing. If they were to get away, "
must be done at once or their night
would be discovered, and perhaps
even prevented. 1t certainly was bet
ter not to have 1t known where they
got off. He had taken the precaution
IN N1AaA tia etAfAANAHa AnNA hAhfAH
him and 80 1t might be some time be-
fore their absence would be discov-
cred. Perhaps there would be other
stops before the train rachel Buff
falo. In which case their track would
not easily be followed. He had no
idea that the evil eye Of his pursuer
was even then upon him.
Celia was already on the ground,
looking of toward the little village
wtstfully. Just how 1t was 10 make
her lot any brighter to get put of the
train and run away to a strange IT.
tie village she did not quite explain
lief to her pent-up feelings. She was
half afraid that George might raise
some new objection when he return
ed.
Gordon swung himself down on the
ctnder path, scanning the track either
way. The conductor and brakeman
were not in sight. Far in the distance
q black speck was rushing down up
on them. Gordon could hear the vi
bration Of the rail Of tho second
track, upon which he placed hts foot
as he helped Celia across. In a mo-
ment more the train would pass. 1t
down the embankment, gu Of sight.
Would the delicate girl not be afraid
Of the steep incline?
She hesitated for just an instant at
the top. for it was very steep. Then.
looking up at him, she saw that he
expected her to go down with him.
She gave a little frightened gasp. set
her lips and started. {,
He held her IL we'll as he could
with W suitcases and an umbrella
clutched in his other hand, and final
.ly. as the grade grew sleeper, he let
60 the baggage altogether, and It slid
briskly down by itself. while he de-
voted himself TO- steadying the. girls
now inevitable and swift descent.
i certainly was not an ideal way
gravity" road. but 1t landed them
without delay, though much shaken
and scratched, and Invested of-every,
vestige Of dignity. IT was impossible
not to laugh, and Celia's voice rang
out merrily, showing that she had
not always wept and looked sorrow-
full.
Are you much hurt . asked Cor
Don anxiously. holding her hands and
Before she could reply, the express
train roared above them, drowning
their voices and laughter: and when
1t was past they saw their own train
take up its Interrupted way Erumb-
lingly. and rapidly move Off. II the
passengers on those two trains had
not been deeply wrapped in slumber,
they might have been surprised to see
two fashtonably alfred young per-
sons. with hats awry ana clasped
hands. laughing In = country road at
five o'clock Of a May mornings But
only one was awake, and by the time
the two in tho road below remember
ed to look up and take notice, the
trains were rapidly disappearing.
The girl had been deeply impressed
with Gordon's solicitude OF her. It
was SO out Of keeping with his letters.
He had v seemed to care whether
she suffered or not. In all the ar
rangements, he had said what he
with an implied threat In the franz
ing Of his sentence in case she dared
demur. Never had there been the
least expression Of desire for her hap
piness. Therefore it was something
of surprise to find him 70 gentle
and thoughtful of her. Perhaps, after
all, he would not prove so terrible to.
live with q she had feared. And yet
how could anyqpe who wrote those
letters have any alternating qualities?
It could not be. She must harden
herself against him. Still, Il he
would be outwardly decent to her, It
would make her lot easier, Of course
But her course Of mental reasoning
was broken in upon by his stout de-
nunciAtons Of himself.
~ ought not to have allowed you
to aide down there" he declared. 1T
was terrible, after what you went
through last night. It didn't realize
how steep and rough 1t was Indeed
I didn't. 4 don't . how you ever
can forgive me-"
why, I'm not hurt" she said
gently. astontshed 1t his solicitation.
There was a strange lump IN her
throat brought by his kindness, which
threatened tears. Just why should
Kindness from an unexpected quarter
bring tears?
I'm only . little shaken up" she
went On as she saW . real anxiety In
his brown eyes. "and I don't mind 1t
in the least. I think It. wa rather
fun, don't your.
"A faint glimmer Of a smile wavsred
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