Historical fiction; Railroads -- History -- Fiction
At ten, the Porter trap stood in front of the hotel, and Harvey climbed
into the trap and took the reins. As he started, a telegraph boy ran
down the steps calling to him. Harvey took the yellow envelope and with
a thought of Jim's errand he thrust it between his teeth, for the horses
were prancing. Later he stuffed it into his pocket until he should reach
the Porters'. The drive was exhilarating, and by the time he pulled up
in the porte-cochere he had himself well in control. She did not keep
him waiting, and they were soon whirling down the old river road.
Katherine was in a bright mood. For a space they talked commonplaces.
Harvey thought of the telegram, but dared not take his attention from
the horses until they should run off a little spirit, so he let them go.
“Isn't it splendid,” she said, drawing in the brisk air and looking at
the broad stream on their right. “Do you know, I never see the river
without thinking of the old days when this country was wild. It seems
so odd to realize that Tonty and La Salle paddled up and down here. They
may have camped where we are now. Sometimes in the evenings when we are
on the river, I imagine I can see a line of canoes with strange, dark
men in buckskin, and painted Indians, and solemn old monks, with Father
Hennepin in the first canoe. So many curious old memories hover over
this stream.”
The horses were slowing. Harvey said abruptly,--
“Will you mind if I open a telegram?”
“Certainly not.” She reached out and took the reins. Harvey opened the
envelope with his thumb. He read the message twice, then lowered it to
his knees with a puzzled expression.
“Bad news?” asked Miss Porter.
“I don't know. Read it if you like.”
She handed back the reins and read the following:--
Mr. Harvey West:
You are receiver M. & T. Come to Manchester at once.
Weeks.
“Well,” he said, “what do you think?”
She slowly folded the paper and creased it between her fingers.
“Can you make it?” she asked.
Harvey looked at his watch. “Train goes at eleven. I've got thirteen
minutes.”
“Turn around. It's only three miles. We can do it.”
Harvey pulled up and turned. Then he hesitated.
“How about the team?” he said; “I can't take you home.”
“Never mind that. Quick; you can't lose any time. I'll get the team
back.”
Harvey nodded and gripped the reins, and in a moment the bays were in
their stride. Harvey's hands were full, and he made no effort to talk.
Miss Porter alternately watched him and the horses.
“They can do better than that. You'll have to slow up in town, you
know.” And Harvey urged them on.
As they neared the town, Harvey spoke.
“Will you look at my watch?”
She threw back his coat and tugged at the fob until the watch appeared.
“Three minutes yet. We're all right.”
But a blocked electric car delayed them, and they swung up to the
platform just at train-time. Harvey gripped her hand:--
“Good-by. I shan't forget this.”
But though her eyes danced, she only answered, “Please hurry!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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