finding herself once more in the open road, darted on as fast as
possible through the dusk, heedless of appearances, fearful only of
missing the train. How the houses multiplied, and what interminable
lengths the squares seemed, as she neared the brick warehouse and
office of the station! The lamps at the street corners beckoned her
on, and when panting for breath she rushed around the side of the
tall building that fronted the railway, there was no train in sight.

Two or three coal cars stood on a siding, near a detached engine,
where one man was lighting the lamp before the reflector of the
headlight, and another, who whistled merrily, burnished the brass
and copper platings. In the door of the ticket office the agent
lounged, puffed his cigar, and fanned himself with his hat.

"What time is it?" cried Beryl.

"Seven-forty-five."

"Oh! do not tell me I have missed the train."

"You certainly have. I told you it left at 7:15 sharp. It was ten
minutes behind time on account of hot boxes, but rolled out just
twenty minutes ago. Did you get lost hunting 'Elm Bluff,' and miss
your train on that account?"

"No, I had no difficulty in finding the place, but having no watch,
I was forced to guess at the time. Only twenty minutes too late!"

"Did you see the old war-horse?"