The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-11-17
CONDUCTOR FRANK.

past Willow street, Conductor Frank 8
heart gave a bound-in twenty
minutes he would be free to
go ''home!' He whispered the word
tenderly to himself; he had only been
married one week.
Just seven days ago he had gone
over the bay to San Francisco with
pretty Agnes, and just when she
should have been reciting her lessons
to the good sisters at the convent
she was promising to Glove, honor and
obey him." How she had enjoyed
running away. They had not dared
to ask her fathers consent-he was
one OF the 'irst" doctors in Alameda.
A little home had been prepared-a
cottage hidden away among rose
bushes and honey-suckle vines, and a
servant hired to do the work. It was
absurd to think OF expecting Agnes to
work; her hands were soft and dimpled
like baby's. Her part OF life should
be to gather flowers, to curl her bangs
to be ''welcome home" for him.
Thus far she had fulfilled this des-
tiny, and Conductor Frank was as
happy as any human being could be-.
Hurrying home this evening he whis.
tied merrily. He had box OF candy
IN his pocket-Agnes loved candy.
When he came in sight OF thegate that
led into his paradise his steps quick
ened. Agnes was usually ont on the
steps waiting for him; this evening she
was not there.
Conductor Frank ran into the cot
tage.
"She is hiding from me! l shall not
look for her. he thought and he sup
pressed a chuckle. He sat down in
the parlor and began to whistle care
lessly. Alter five minutes he opened
the box OF candy. ..-...l -.
There's no one to eat this candy.
Guess I'll eat it myself" he said, in
loud voice. That would bring her.
When she didn't come. he put down
the candy.
"The little witch! Isuppose must
hunt for her." he cried out, happily.
Into each closet, behind each door
he looked-but he did not find her.
He went into the kitchen; the "girP'
was placidly reading out on the back
stems.
Where is your mistress?" he asked,
quietly.
Her father came to see her and she
went out with him. She didn't give
out any dinner, sir, so nothing's ready
for yOu," she answered.
Gone out with her father! OF course
he was glad Of that-it would make
her happy 1.-THE old father forgave her.
But he felt anxious; should hego after
her?
He went into the sitting-room. On
the table was a note which read as
follows:
DEAR RANK: Papa says our marriage is
to be set aside because am under age. He
says If you try to see ME he will have you
arrested. On. Frank, for goodness sake
DON'T try. am Wretched enough as it u.s.
Your miserable AGG1E
Conductor Frank rushed from the
house and soon rang DR.. Harvey's
doorbell. He was told that the family
had gone east an hour before.
When he was once more in his late
home he dismissed the servant, closed
all the doors and sat down to battle
with his great sorrow.
Agnes-his child-wife-w lost to
him! His pretty home was deserted.
- He did not blame her. He knew DR.
Harvey to be q man of iron will.
Perhaps he had been wrorg'to steal
his Agnes; but he had lovedher so and
she had been so willing to steal away
with him. She was speaking to
him in everyt thing. There was the
stack of,novels she had been ENJOYING
reading just because they had hitherto
been among forbidden fruits. There
was ercarden hat-he almost fancied
her lovely face was peeping out from un-
.derit. lie picked up one OF the ovels
,adetective story. in the title page was
written in big SCHOOLGIRL letters:
tMrs. Conductor Franks book"
He went into the bedroom. Agnes
- had thrown her wrapper across the
bed; the bedspread was nump!ed.
Perhaps she had rested there a mo-
1nent before she left. He went to the
bureau: she had,a way Of leaving the
a1air in the comb. That very morning
ne had Tested her about it. Perhaps
there WAS some there now.
- lie gathered the tangled hair re-
yerently, kissed it, and put it away.
Then he snatched the wrapper and
folded it close to his heart threw him
selfUpo the bed and sobbed like a
child.
One morning. three years later.
Conductor Frank, Jnow stationmaster
at Auburn, Cal, was attending to his
many duties. 4
There was the usual gathering 81
dlers around the station. Several