Canada -- Fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada -- Fiction
“Now, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, I know your driving. Just remember that I am an
only son. I prefer using all four wheels on curves, please.”
“Let her go,” cried Nora.
And Mrs. Waring-Gaunt “let her go” at such speed that Larry declared he
had time for only two perfectly deep breaths, one before they started,
the other after they had pulled up beside the Pullman car at the scene
of the wreck.
“Jane, Jane, Jane,” yelled Larry, waving his hands wildly to a girl who
was seen sitting beside a window reading. The girl looked up, sprang
from her seat, and in a moment or two appeared on the platform. “Come
on,” yelled Larry. He climbed over a wire fence, and up the steep grade
of the railroad embankment. Down sprang the girl, met him half way up
the embankment, and gave him both her hands. “Jane, Jane,” exclaimed
Larry. “You are looking splendidly. Do you know,” he added in a low
voice, “I should love to kiss you right here. May I? Look at all the
people; they would enjoy it so much.”
The girl jerked away her hands, the blood showing dully under her brown
skin. “Stop it, you silly boy. Is that Nora? Yes, it is.” She waved her
hand wildly at Nora, who was struggling frantically with the barbed wire
fence. “Wait, I am coming, Nora,” cried Jane.
Down the embankment she scrambled and, over the wire, the two girls
embraced each other to the delight of the whole body of the passengers
gathered at windows and on platforms, and to the especial delight of
a handsome young giant, resplendent in a new suit of striped flannels,
negligee shirt, blue socks with tie to match, and wearing a straw hat
adorned with a band in college colours. With a wide smile upon his
face he stood gazing down upon the enthusiastic osculation of the young
ladies.
“Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, this is Jane,” cried Nora. “Mrs. Waring-Gaunt has
come to meet you and take you home,” she added to Jane. “You know we
have no car of our own.”
“How do you do,” said Jane, smiling at Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. “I can't get
at you very well just now. It was very kind of you to come for us.”
“And she has left her brother very sick at home,” said Nora in a low
voice.
“We won't keep you waiting,” said Jane, beginning to scramble up the
bank again. “Come, Larry, I shall get father and you shall help with our
things.”
“Right you are,” said Larry.
“Met your friends, I see, Miss Brown,” said the handsome giant. “I know
it is mean of me, but I am really disgusted. It is bad enough to be held
up here for a night, but to lose your company too.”
“Well, I am awfully glad,” said Jane, giving him such a delighted smile
that he shook his head disconsolately.
“No need telling me that. Say,” he added in an undertone, “that's your
friend Nora, ain't it? Stunning girl. Introduce me, won't you?”
“Yes, if you will help me with my things. I am in an awful hurry and
don't want to keep them waiting. Larry, this is Mr. Dean Wakeham.” The
young man shook hands with cordial frankness, Larry with suspicion in
his heart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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