St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-24
THE MISTAKE.


ewes of scarlet fire and its whizz of escaping
steam, and there was only one passenger Tor
Peterbank-a tall, MISUNDERSTANDING old
gentleman, with fnr-trimmed overcoat,
gold eyeglasses, and fringe of snowy
whiskers under his chin.
Rolf Otherbiae, the young Scotch ticket
agent, looked at him with that half curious,
half Indifferent expression wherewith ticket
agents grow in time TO regard the whole
world.
''You are in charge here, Supposed said
the tall, furry stranger.
yes, SIR" answered Rolf
Perhaps, then, you can tell me at what
time the train from Carrowdale is dueP
cat ESQ, sir"
The old gentleman then sat down BY the
FIRE, as if resigning himself to waiting. And
Rolf went out into the twilight to make sure
that the switch-tender. IA hundred yards or
so up the snow-covered track, had not fallen
asleep, and that the signal lights burned
clear and steady for the Southshore train.
The Carrowdale train came in about six
minutes or so behind time, for the snow was
falling fast and the rails we're slippery. The
hurrying passengers dispersed themselves In
various directions, except one young girl,
dressed in pinkish gray. with black boa
around her throat and a single long willow
plume dropping over her pale face, who en-
tered the waitiug-room slightly shivering
with the cold.
Mr.. Otherbrae advanced toward her. Can
get YOU a carrsgei' he asked, 'or be OF
any other service to you!'
Thanks, - she answered, sbyly, II expect
friend 10 meet me hereP'
Click The sharp, sudden summons Of
the little telegraph behind the rallied COM
partment at the further end Of the room, and
Mr.. Otherbrac who was telegraph operator
rs well as station agent, hurried 10 his post.
''R Othcrbrae, Peterbank station" the
tongue Of the telegraph whispered, with its
why. clinking sound. "Frum Police Head
quarters Stop an old man aud young
girl, well-dressed and plausible. Forgery
IL. c. Deko, General office, New York
Rolf stared ut the quiveriug wires as II ex-
nectipg TO CLEAN further intelligence from
their metallic surfaces; then he looked
across the room TO where the slender, dark
eyed young lady sat, Der hands clasped on
her knee, aud her eyes fixed intenty on the
fire.
"A young girl, well dressed aud Plausi
ble,, The description tailed we'll enough
but then she was alone! And as for her be
ing connected with forger's Rang-phaw
Rolf Otherbrac knew better!
At the same instant she rose and came
hesitatiugly half across the floor 81 beg
your pardon, sir-but has the express trait
come in yett'
1.-TWO hours ago." Mr.. othcrbrae an
swercd. wondering II II were possible tina
so fair an exterior could conceal the mdeon
inner life OF crimel And then, all oil "A sud
den, It occurred 10 him that the tall gentle
man In the fur-trimmed oyercoat In tn
other room might possibly be the Friend
shc had spoken OF and the sold man. allu
ded to the despatch.
The Young lady caught sight OF the tai
erect figure by the fire Ia the other room
the figure In the furs, with the siivery, aristn
cratic hair, and the chin dropping on I'll
breast as II in slumber.
papa broke involuntailry from her lips
he has been waiting for me- aud neve
knew lt!n She hurried past the tIcket-agent
into the other room. Rolf Otherbrae locke
at her in dismay.
.'Fm 10 stop her, am IT, thought Rolf
"And how the deuce am l 10 do IL, Ia Ike
know"
As these dlsiointed reflections passed
through his mind q sudden shrek rose up /
the silcnce-and Mr.. othebrae, hurrying III
90 the waitiug-roOm, saw the young 81
kucrling on the door beside the old gentle
man And In an instant he perceived n
secret OF her cry. The stately old man, wit
fur-trimmcd garments and the snowy bear
was quite dead. AS Rolf advanced 81
looked wildly into his face.
Cant YOU help himF' she gaspe
Cant you do soInethugi @, don't you Sc
he has faintedl Tell me where to 20 for
doctor Where can / find ouei have
smelling bottle, but
1t Is OF no use, Rolf answered gent
entirely forgetting the despatch, or rath
resolved 70 ignore il. 'My mothers cottai
Il close by. Let me take YOU there,
Aud papai papa Iwho has come all q
way from Iudia to meet me, and take 4
home 20 England"
II will seud some one 70 him at once
said Rolf. swallowing a big lump in b
throat as he felt how utterly useless was a
human aid, and adding to himself: Il dor
care II she has committed fity torgeries, ay
aud a murder besides. / won't make
brute Of myself by laying so much as an a'
duioual straw Of The burden Of her trouble
It's the sweetest face l ever saw-yes, NJ
the best
Aud So old Mrs. Otherbrae was striek,
dumb as she sat ny her cozy hearthstoue
10 O'Clock a, night by the sudden apparitiC
of beautiful young lady drowned In teal
Don't ask any questions, mother darling,
Rolf whispered. scout he good % herr Al
he hurried back 20 the depot. where the de-
man still sat. keeping silent viCiL
Half an hour afterward Ethel Dewcro
knew she was an orphan in a s;raa
land
.whcrc shall got" she faltered uolir
wildly around. "What shall dos Papa,
Poor poor, papa
''Ny dear. my dear - said Mrs. Otherbr
kindly pait.ug her band, 'be calm Y
ueed - no WHERE; You need do nothiT
Rolf viii arrange il all, Rolf IS the b,
fellow ia the world just quiet yourself a
let him mauagc e all
Aud as Rolf. In the other room, heard
SUPPRESSED soos ~ the beroaved daughter.
resolved within himself that no, all the
lice agents in Christendom should wrest {
cl Dewgrove from beneath the USis Of
protection With those reflections on
mind be went ont 70 see tie midnight trs
rush 10, pause a second on It's hUrTyiug v
and then steam Onward. like dre-throsi
rponstrr. With q ver,ebra q moving lights
'swcu. we've got 'cm," said SimP
Pike. the conductor, a. he sNuuga stout
lady - the lower steps 70 Roirs project
hand.
s-Got whom 2"
ssThe forxers. Went 90 % SeeltC
Polnt Jones arrested 'egn. The0's en-
he Tar window with 4 JERK % bis hand
xNrd a certain glimpse q reddish ID
xherc s dull. wicked prodlc nodded .
souallv. Real coot luck nwas Wis
lad been ne bad laid hold % EN-"
stared. Then his inner convictions had
besa erroneous. he hae prOEgsG the