The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-27
CHAPTER XVI.

A GLOOMY GooDBY.
AT that point my Importance ceased.
Apparently seeing that the game was
up, Mr.. Camp later in the morning ask
cd Mr.. Cullen to give him IN interview,
and when he was allowed to pass the
sentry he came to the steps and suggest
ed:
Perhaps we can arrange compro-
mise between the Missouri Western and
the Great Southern"
"We can try" Mr.. Cullen assented.
Come into my car" He made way
for Mr. Camp and was about to follow
him when Madge took hold of her ia
tbGr's ann, and, making him stoop.
whispered something to him.
"What kind of placer asked Mr..
Cullen, laughing.
"a good one, his daughter replied.
OF the interview which took place in
side 2lS l can speak only at second
hand, and the world knows about as
we'll as I how the contest was compro-
missed by the X. apd A. being turned
over to the Missouri Western, the terri
tory in southern California being di-
vided between the California Central
and the Great Southern, and traffic
arrangement agreed upon that satisfied
the G., S. The next day Missouri West
ern board for the K. and A. was elected
without opposition, aud they in turn
elected Mr.. Cullen president Of the X.
and A., SO when my report Of the hold
ing up went in he had the pleasure Of
reading it. l closed it with request
for instructions, but l never received
any, and that ended the matter. turn
ed over the letters to tho special agent
at Flagstaff, and / suppose his report is
slumbering in some pigeouhole in Wash
ipgton, for I should have known of any
attempt to bring the culprits to punish
ment. Mr.. Cullen had taken big risk,
but came out Of it with great lot Of
money, for the Missouri Western bought
all his holdings in the X. and A. and
@. G. But the scare must have taught
him n lesson, for ever since then he 8
been conservative and talks about the
foolishness of investors who try to get
more than 8 per cent or who think Of
anything but good railroad bonds.
As for myself, a month after these
occurrences I was appointed superintend-
ent Of the Missouri Western, which by
this deal had become one Of the largest
railroad systems in the world. It was a
big step up for SO young a man and was
Of course pure favoritism, due to Mr..
Cullen's influence. I didn't stay in tho
position long, for within two years I
was offered the presidency Of the Chi
cago and st. Paul, and think that was
won on merit. Whether or not, I hold
the position sill and have made my
road earn and pay dividends right
through the panic.
All this is getting away ahead Of
events, however. The election delayed us
so that we couldn't couple on to No. 4
that afternoon, and consequently we
had to lie that night at Ash Forks I
made the officers my excuse for keeping
away from the Cullens, as l wished to
avoid Madgo. did my best to be good
company to the bluecoats and had q
first class dinner for them on my car,
but was in a pretty glum mood, which
even champagne couldn't modify.
Though all necessity of guard ceased
with the compromise, the cavalry re-
manned till the next morning, and, aft
CT giving them a good breakfast, about
& o'clock VIC shook hands, the buglo
sounded, and off they rode. For the first
time understood how fellow disap-
pointed in love comes to enlist.
When I turned about to go into my
car, l found Madge standing on the
platform Of 2lS waving handkerchief.
l paid no attention to her and started
up my steps.
mir. Gordon" she said-and when
I looked at her saw that she was flush
ing-"what is the matter?"
I suppose most fellows would have
found some excuse, but for the life Of
mo I couldn't All was able to say
was:
II would rather not say, Miss Cul-
len"
GLOW unfair you arer' she cried.
"You-without the slightest reason-
you suddenly go out of your way to ill
treat, insult me. and yet will not tell mo
the cause"
That made me angry. "Cause?" !
cried. "As if you didn't know of q
cause. What you don't know is that !
overheard your conversation with Lord
Rallies night before last"
my conversation with Lord Ralles?"
exclaimed Madge in a bewildered way.
Yes" said bitterly, keep up the
acting. The practice is good, even if it
deceives no one. "
II don't understand word you are
saying" said she, getting angry in turn.
"You speak as if had done wrong, as
III don't know what-and I have q
right to know to what you allude. "
II don't see how can be any clear
err" said II was under the station
platform, hiding from the cowboys,