The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-06-18
CHAPTER TX.
TALK BEFORE BREAKFAST.

my sleepless night. returned to the
station little after 6, and, to my sur
prise, found Miss Cullen walking up
and down the platform.
"You are up earlyp' we both said
together.
"Yes," she sighed II couldn t
sleep last night"
You're not unwell, I hope?"
"No-except mentally"
/ looked question, and she went on,
ct have some worries, and then last
night saw you were all keeping some
bad news from me, and so I couldn' t
sleep"
''Then we did wrong to make a mys-
terry of it, Miss Cullen" said, "for it
really isn't anything to trouble about.
Mr.. Camp is simply taking legal steps
to try to force me to deliver those let
tiers to him..
"And can he succeed?
"No,"
How will you stop him?'
II don't know yet just what we shall
do, but if worse comes to worst will
allow myself to be committed for con-
tempt of court. )"
"What would they do with your
'Give me free board for time"
mot send you to PRISON.
Eyes"
"Oh," she cried, THAT mustn't bel
You must not make such sacrifice for
rs.
"I'd do more than that for you,"
said. And I couldn't help putting lit
tie emphasis ON the last word, though I
knew had no right to do it,
She understood me and blushed rosily,
even while she protested, "It is too
much
There's really no likelihood" in
corrupted ''of my being able to assume
a III artyr's crown, Miss Cullen, so don't
begin to pity me till I'm behind the
Lars. :"
"But can't bear to think'-
DON'T" interrupted again, rejoic-
ing all the time at her evident anxiety
and blessing my stars for the luck they
had brought me. "Why, Miss Cullen,
went on, "I've become so interested in
your success and the licking of those
fellows that 1 really think I'd stand
about anything rather than that they
should win. Yesterday, when Mr. Camp
threatened to- Then stopped, as it
suddenly occurred to me that it was best
not to tell Madge that 1 might lose my
position, for it would look like kind
of bid for her favor, and, besides, would
only add to her worries.
Threatened WHAT" asked Miss Gull
len.
Threatened to lose his temper,
answered.
"You know that wasn't what you
were going to say" Madge said re-
proachfully.
''No, it wasn't" laughed.
"Then what was it?'
Nothing worth speaking about.
''But want to know what he threat
ened."
"Really, Miss Cullen 1 began, but
she interrupted me by saying anxiously:
He can't hurt papa, can he?"
mo" replied.
''Or my brothers,
"He can't touch any Of them without
my help And he'll have work to get
that, suspect F."
"Then why can't you tell me?" de-
manded Miss Cullen. "Your refusal
makes me think you are keeping back
some danger to them
"Why, Miss Cullen, said, II didn't
like TO tell his threat because it seemed
well, 1 may be wrong, but I thought
it might look like an attempt-an ap-
peal Oh, pshaw!'' l faltercl, like a
donkey. II can't say it as want to put
it"
"Then tell me right out what he
threatened, said Madge.
He threatened to get me discharged, -
l said
That made Madge look very sober,
and for a moment there was silence.
Then she said:
II never thought of what you were
risking to help us, Mr.. Gordon. And I'm
afraid it's too late to-
Don't worry about me-" l fastened
to interject. "I'm q long way from be-
ing discharged, and, even if / should be,
Miss Cullen, 1 know my business, and
it won't be long before 1 have another
place. "
But it's terrible TO think Of the in
jury we may have caused you, said
Madge sadly. "Ir makes me hate the
thought of money"
That's very poor thing to hate"
said, Except the lack of it.
Are you SO anxious to get rich?"
asked Madge, looking up at me quickly
as we walked, Tor we nau Deen pacing
up and down the platform during our
chat
Il haven't been till lately" said
And what made you changer" she
questioned.
WE'LL" 1 said, fishing round for
some reason other than the true one,
perhaps want to take a rest"
"You are the worst man for fibs
eyer knew, she laughed.