The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-25
A Novel OF
Reckless
College
Life
CHAPTER !

81 A0O4AA1 -
platform outside.
Both were deserted. Rain
from the caves streamed
down over the costly alliga-
tor luggage which lay upon
the platform. In the solitude
the station door banged at
the winds will, shaking the
rusted brackets of the vel
low platform lamps.
Yet the girl who came
down the cinder path
. through the storm approach
ed the shelter timorously.
At the foot Of the sagging
wooden steps, she halted,
clutching her skirts about
her knees, and scanned the
platform and the station win
dows.
Then, summoning resolu-
ton, she hurried up the
steps and peered through
the station door. Inside there
were signs Of life. The
ticket agent was just open
ing the wicket in his cubicle,
and trying to yawn the sleep
ont Of his eyes.
With purse open, the girl
took q few steps toward the
ticket window then, with 4
little shudder, she turned
away again and made for
the heap Of wet luggage on
the platform.
Bending over the sodden
leather handbook, she felt the
lock and brushed the water
off the gilt initials on its lid.
Across the misty light
from the feeble lamps a
shadow fell at her feet. AT
the same moment, from over
the hill, the south bound ex-
press let out its warning
yell.
Starting upright, Linda
met the eyes of a tall, hat
less man, smiling indolently
at her through the smoke
from a huge meershaum
pipe. Even in the murk Of
the night his hair cleaned
a dark mahogany and glints
of red danced in his brown
eyes.
Well" he drawIed. $50 you
ARE going!" Then, when she
did not answer. 'I1l see you
later, Linda
The girl flung her hands out
toward him. and spoke one word.
Doyle Pleading and de-
spair choked her voice.
The train came over the hill.
= - Z
A Keeling porter let her down
vista after vista Of tall green rep
swaying dizzily, a journey punctu-
ated by the cold and dark of
platforms between coaches.
3 At last he drew UP in the rear
Pullman, set down her soaked
bags and left her to herself. in
the hushed and daRkened aisle.
Sorry, miss said the gruf
voice of conductor just shaken
out of a deep sleep. There's
nothing but an upper. You
should have made reservation
Linda caught her breath. IL
had not time" she said. But
the upper will do
A sudden impulse took Linda
to the rear platform while the
porter made up the Berth. Out
there the wind tore at her skirts
and pried around the rich fur
collar on her coat.
Hands in pockets. she watched
the last lights of Redhill sink into
the valley Then, with a sob. she
pulled a key ring out of her pocket
and flung it wildly into the dark.
ness.
It made a faint tinkle in the
roadbed.
In the snug safety of the upper
berth, Linda examined the blan'
kets, snapped the little light on
and off. and decided that the small
hammock must be intended for her
clothes.
Half asleep. she sat up with a
start and felt for the light switch
Yes, it was true. Only the sway
ing curtains stood between her anc
the black abyss or aisle below. She
lay down again. clinging to the
hammock with fingers that
loosened as she sank deeper anC
deeper into sleep.
All night long the reassurint
mnugic Of the wheels sang in hel
dreams, and the porter became 3
winged seraph. bearing her away
/ from Doyle and Redhill, while shs
scattered key rings on the land
scape below.
Some six hours later grindin;
1aF and flood of light brough
continued on Fiction PageI