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

eyes Of scarlet fire aud its whiZz OF escaping
steam, and there was only one passenger for
Peterbank-a tall, misunderstanding old
gentleman, with fur-trimmed oyercoat,
gold eyeglasses, and a fringe of snowy
whiskers under his chin.
Rolf Otherblae, 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, l supposed" said
the tall, furry stranger.
Eyes, sir" answered Rolf.
Perhaps, then, you can tell me at what
time'the train from Carrowdale is dueF'
cat $50, sir"
The old gentleman then sat down by the
fire, as If resigning himself to waiting. And
Rolf I.nt out into the twilight to make sure
that the swltch-tender, hundred yards or
so up the snow-coyered track, had not fallen
asleep, aud that the signal lights burned
clear aud steady for the Southshore train.
The Carrowiale train came in about six
minutes or so behind time, for the snow was
falling fast and the rails were slippery. The
hurrying passengers dispersed themselves in
various directions, except one young girl
dressed in pinksh gray, with black boa
around her throat and a single long willow
plume dropping over her pale face, who en-
tered the waiting-room slightly shivering
with the cold.
Mr.. Otherbrae advanced toward her. "Can
/ get you a carrisgeH he asked, ''or be OF
any other service to youf'
Thanks, - she answered, shyly, VI expect
friend to meet me here"'
Click! The sharp, sudden summons oil
the little telegraph behind the rallied com
partment at the further end Of the room, and
Mr.. Otherbrae. who was telegraph operator
as well as station agent, hurried 10 his post
ar. Otherbrae, Peterbank station" the
tongue OF the telegraph whispered, with lis
wiry, clinkiug sound. From Police Head
quarters. Stop an old man aud young
girl, well-dressed and plausible. Forgery.
II. {. Deko, General Office, New York.
Rolf stared at the quiyering wires as II ex-
pectlug to CLEAN further intelligence from
their metallic surfaces; then be looked
across the room to where the slender, dark
eyed Young lady sat, her hands clasped on
her knee, and her eyes fixed intently on the
FIRE.
"A young girl, well dressed ana plausi
bler' The description tailed well enough
but then she was alouel Aud as for her be
ing connected with forger's gang-phaw
Rolf Otherbrae knew better!
AT the same instant she rose and CAM
hesitatingly half across the floor Il beg
your pardon, sir-but has the express trail
come in yetf'
..Two hours ago" Mr. Otherbrae an
4 1 tgp
SO fair an exterior could conceal the hideou
inner life Of crime! And then, all OF a sud
den. IL occurred 10 him that the tall gentle
man ia the fur-trimmcd ovcrcOat in IN
other room might possibly be the "friend
she had spoken Of and the sold man" allu
ded 10 the despatch.
The Young lady caught sight Of the Ia
erect figure by the fire in the other room
the figure in the furs, with the silvery, aristc
cratic hair. and the chin dropping on Ia
breast as II In slumber.
Papa broke involuntailry from her lip
He has been waiting for me, aud nevt
knew tu' She hurried past the ticket-agen
into the other room. Rolf 0therbrae locke
at her In dismay.
.'Tm to stop her am IT, thought Rolf
"Aud how the deuce am l to do it, I'd Ike
know"
As these dsiointed reflections passe
through his mind a sudden shrek rose up
the silenee-cnd Mr.. Othebrae, hurrying II
10 the wuiting-room, saw the young 81
kneeling on the door beside the Old gentl
man. And in an instant be perceived Il
secret Of her cry. The stately old mau, vii
fur.trimmed garments and the snowy beai
was quite dead As Rolf advanced 81
looNS wildly into his face.
"CAn't YOU help himf' she gaspe
Cant YOU DO spmrthiugt o, don't you s.
he has faiutedl Tell me where 10 20 for
doctor! Where can | find ouei | have
smelGug bottle, but
IT is Of no use Rolf answered gent
entirely forgetting the despatch, or rath
resolved to ignore It.. my mothers Gotta
IL close by. Let me take you there
"And papai papa -who has come all {
Sav from India 10 meet me, and take L
home 10 Eugaudw
Il will send some one to him at once
said Rolf, swallowing big lump in
throat, as he felt how utterly useless was q
human aid, aud adding To himself; Il dot
care II she has committed fftv iorgeres, ay
aud a murder besides. | Won't make
brute Of myself by LAYING SO much as an n
ditioual straw Of the burden of her truuo.'
It's the sweetest face l ever saw-yes, Al
the best
And so old Mrs Oiherhrae was strick
dumb as she sat by h9r cozy hearthstone
10 O'Clock al night by the sudden apparitiC
ola beautiful Young lady drowned in tea
Don; ask auy questions, mother darling,
Rolf whispered. "but be good to herr A
be hurried back 10 tue depot. where the dc
man still sat. keeping silent vigil.
Half sn hour aftsrward Ethel Dewgro
Suew she was az orphan ia . stran
lKnd.
..wbcre shall goi" she faltered looki
wildly around. What shall dol Papa
poor, poor, pSpaH
''My dear. my dear. - said Mrs. Oiher5r
kindly patting her hand, 'oe calm
ueed 70 no where; you need do nothii
Rolf vii arrange Il all. Rolf IS the b
fellog In the world. just quiet yourself q
let him manage il ALL
And as Rolf. In The other roryn. heard
suppressed sobs Of the bereavsd daughter.
resolved within himself that no, all the
hIe gents in Christeudom should wrcsi +
el Dewgruvc from bcuesth the egis q
protection VITA these reflections on
mind he vebt our to see the midnight Ira
rush in pause a second on its hurryinE "
and then steam Onward, like a 6rs-throsi
monster. With vertehra Of moving lights
.sweu. we've eos 'em.'' said Sinp
Pike. the conductor. as be swung stout
adv % The loser steps 70 Rolls protect
hand
.'tiot whom -
ssThe fcr-ers. Went On - SheltC
P.trt. Jones arrested EN-. ITEMS EN-
- lar windOE. = with Jerk % his hand
ard A certain glimpse u reddish III
rhere a aau. wicked probe ooeded o
sIsaafIv. ''Reai god luck Il vas Wis
haa been ne had isid hold q EN-
stared. Ther bis ianer coovictoas bad
bees erroneous de kae vro1ged the