The waiting seemed endlessly weary. Prince dared not sit down, but
must needs keep staggering up and down the track, praying as he had
never prayed in all his life, that God would send a train before Connie
should freeze to death. Stooping over her, he chafed her hands and
ankles, shaking her roughly, but never succeeding in restoring her to
consciousness though doubtless he did much toward keeping the blood in
feeble circulation.
Then, thank God! No heavenly star ever shone half so gloriously bright
as that wide sweep of light that circled around the ragged rocks.
Prince hastily fired the fuse, and a few minutes later a lumbering
freight train pulled up beside him, anxious voices calling inquiry.
With rough but willing hands they pulled the girl on board, and piled
heavy coats on a bench beside the fire where she might lie, and brought
out some hot coffee which Prince swallowed in deep gulps. They even
forced a few drops of it down Connie's throat. Prince was soon himself
again, and sat silently beside Connie as she slept the heavy sleep.
A long lumbering ride it was, the cars creaking and rocking, reeling
from side to side as if they too were drunk with weariness and cold.
At last Connie moved a little and lifted her lashes.
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