The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-06-11

to ask me to lunch, but felt so miser-
able and downhearted that made an
excuse of my late breakfast for not Join.
ing them.
After luncheon the party in the other
special all came out and walked up and
down the platform, the sound of their
voices and laughter only making me
feel the bluer. Before long heard a rap
on one of my windows, and there was
Miss Cullen peering in at me. The mo-
ment looked up she called:
won't you make one Of us, Mr.. Mis-
anthrope?"
1 called myself all sorts of fool, but
out went as eagerly as if there had
been some hope. Miss Cullen began to
tease me over my sudden access of ener.
gy, declaring that she was sure it was
pose for their benefit, or else due to a
guilty conscience over having slept SO
late.
II hoped you would ride with us,
though perhaps it wouldn't have paid
you. Apparently there is nothing to see
in Ash Forks. 4"
"There is something that may inter-
est you all, " said pointing to a special
that had been dropped off No. 2 that
morning.
"What is it?' asked Madge.
cts G.. S. special" l said, "and
Mr.. Camp and Mr.. Baldwin and two
G. S. officials came in on it.
What do you think he'd give for
those letters?" laughed Fred.
''If they were worth SO much to you,
I suppose they can't be worth any less
to the G. S." replied.
Fortunately there is no way that
he can learn where they are, 4" said Mr..
Cullen.
Don't let's stand STILL" cried Miss
Cullen, Mr.. Gordon, I'll run you a
race to the end of the platform. She
said this only after getting big lead,
and she got there about eight inches
ahead OF ME, which pleased her might
ly. ut takes men so long to get start
ed, was the way she explained her vic
tory. Then she walked me beyond the
end of the boarding to explain the work
ings of switch to her. That it was
only pretext she proved to me the mo-
ment had relocked the bar by saying:
"Mr. Gordon, may l ask you ques-
tion?"
Certainly" asscnted.
''It is one 1 should ask papa or Fred,
but 1 am afraid they might not tell me
the truth. You win, won't you?,'' she
begged very earnestly,
II will, F" said ].
Surprising, she continued, "that it
became known that you have those let
tiers? Would it do our side any harm?"
! thought for moment and then
shook my head. "No new proxies
could arrive here in time for the cleo
tion, said, ,"and the ones have will
not be voted"
She still looked doubtful and asked,
"Then why did papa say just now,
'Fortunately?'
"He merely meant that it was safer
they shouldn't know. y
"Then it is better to keep it q secret?"
she asked anxiously.
81 suppose so, " said, and then add
ed, "Why should you be afraid of ask
Ing your ia'her'
Because he might-well, if he
knew, I'm sure he would sacrifice him
self, and couldn't run the risk. -
II am afraid / don't understands"
questioned.
81 would rather not explain" she
said, and of course that ended tie sub
ject.
Our exercise taken, we went back to
the Cullens' car and Madge left us to
write some letters. A moment later
Lord Rallies remembered he had not
written home recently, and he, too,
went forward to the dining room. That
made me call myself-something, for
not having offered Miss Cullen the uso
of my desk in 81. Owing to this the
two missed part of the big game we
were playing, for barely were they gone
when one of the servants brought q
card to Mr.. Cullen, who looked at it
and exclaimed, "Mr. Camp!' Then,
after a speaking pause, i'll which we all
exchanged glances, he said, Bring
him i'll. y
On Mr.. Camps entrance he looked
as much surprised as we had all done Il
moment before. Il beg your pardon for
intruding, Mr.. Cullen he said. Il
was told that this was Mr.. Gordon g
car, and wish to see him. 4"
81 am Mr.. Gordon"
"You are travelling with Mr.. Gull
len?" he inquired, with touch of sus-
picion in his manner.
"No" 1 answered. my special is
the next car and was merely enjoy
ing q cigar here.
"Ah!'' said Mr. Camp. "Then /
won't interrupt your smoke, and will
only relieve you Of those letters of
mine.
1 took good pull at my cigar and
blew the smoke out III a cloud slowly
to gain time. 81 don't think L follow
you, said.
II understand that you have in your
possession three letters addressed to
me"
81 have" assented.
"Then will ask you to deliver them
to me. F."
81 can't do that.