The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-23

s -
down The long, steep, ice coated
hill. Two blocks from the bottom
was her corner.
She would get off and never see
him again. The parting, dreaded,
but inevitable, doomed before her.
The trolley started down the hill.
A woman rang the buzzer to get
off at the next corner. The car
did not stop. She called out to
the motorman, but he did not an
swer. The car rocked from side
to side. Two more passengers
arose to alight. The trolley went
faster, careening on curve.
This things out of control!" a
man shouted, clinging to a pole
for support.
People made for the rear exit.
Only Helen, the vhite-faced mother
with the three children, the stern
faced young man folding his paper
deliberately and putting it in his
pocket, kept their seats. Helen
had one glance at the motormans
terrified profile.
Brakes won't work." he shouted.
MY God!" shouted the first
1V1 man" There's a coal truck
stuck in the ice on the track at the
foot of the hill. Well all be killed
like rats! Let me out of here!"
Panic turned elbows into batter
ing rams.
open that door," shouted some
body. We're going to jump!"
The stern-faced young man
seemed to find his voice.
Get the women and children to
the rear seats!" But nobody paid
the slightest attention to him. 1t
was every man for himself.
The motorman, laboring over the
controls, flung open the exit doors.
You'll break leg" he warned
over his shoulder.
Better that than be killed."
The man who had ordered the
doors opened, jumped. Helen could
not see what became of him. A
groan went up from the crowd.
Two more men leaped off, A
woman, screaming, tried to follow,
but another woman held her back.
Some one pushed past the two
women. 1t was the man in gray
tweed, Helen'S dream lover.
"VXTEVE got to help this wom-
w an and the children!" The
stern faced young man tried to in
tercept him.
"Out of the way!" snapped the
beautiful young man. He swung
to the step. Then he disappeared.
Rising, Helen saw him slide, try
to get his balance, fall on his hand
some face. His lovely hat was
quite ruined. But he was alive. In
a few moments more, she and the
stern-faced young man and the
lovely children would be dead.
The young man addressed Helen
Here, hold the little girl. Cover
her with your body. I'll hold the
boy and the mother will hold the
baby. Get into this corner :.
when the crash comes"
The mother began to vail softly.
"Oh God have mercy :"
Two school girls with their books
huddled on the floor, their heads
in their arms to protect their
faces. Every nerve in Helen's
body vibrated, feeling a thousand
times over the crash that was i'm
Helen found her head buried in
the young mans overcoated shot,
der. They were wedged in the
corner of the seat as far from the
front of the car as they conla get.
The young man must have showed
them all there, but Helen never
how or when.
A series of long shudderS seized
the car.
IT'S come" Helen thought and
L closed her eyes. The car
trembled, ground to stop.
Helen raised her head. Nothing
had happened. The car was stand
ing quite still.
Through the pandemonium that
followed, the motorman tried to ex-
plain just what he had done finally
hat had worked. While he asked
Tor the names and addresses of his
Helen realized that she
and the stern-faced young man
we're still wedged in their corner,
although the mother and children |
lad fed. Razedly, Helen felt her
elf being suddenly kissed.
The young mans face, when she |
rot it into focus again, had lost its
everity. Why, he was good look
ng handsomer in every way
han the foppish looking young
nan in gray tweed who was not |
worth this ones little finger. /
How dare your" Helen cried |
automatically.
II didn't mean" he stammered, |
to be be fresh but you |
we're wonderful -
mo. you were so cool and re-
and wonderful. Oh,
rye lost my library book :"
Re got up and picked it of the
door. He looked at the card.
Miss Williams" he said, surely |
after this violent er (. in
reduction :. you won't mind
you see, I'm stranger in the city /
!. my home is in Albany )"
That did make them neighbors,
The said. Peterdale was only 800 |
miles from Albany.
THE END.