News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1897-06-30
TtF GRIT
S N&AlRAIN
o.! 5::5 55.55.5.. 55!5 ROBBERY.
A1TlioR OF
eefHE HONORABLE PETER STIRLING Ers.
copyright, 1896, by j. B, Lippincott Company. ]
tCopyright. 1896. by ]. B. Lippinoott Company.
CHAPTER XVI
A GLOOMY GOODBY.

ed:
perhaps we can arrange a 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
theirs arm, and, making him stoop,
whispered something to him.
''What kind of placer" asked Mr..
Cullen, laughing.
ga good one, " his daughter replied.
OF the interview which took place in
side 218 l can speak only at second
hand, and the world knows about as
well as | how the contest was compro-
missed by the K. and 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, and they in turn
elected Mr.. Cullen president of the K.
and A, so when my report of the hold
ing up went in he had the pleasure of
reading it. I closed it with a request
for instructions but / never received
any, and that ended the matter. turn
ed over the letters to the special agent
at Flagstaff, and suppose his report is
slumberir 9 in some pigeOnhole in Wash
ington, for | should have known of any
attempt to bring the culprits to punish
ment. Mr.. Cullen had taken a big risk,
but came out of it with great lot of
money, for the Missouri Western bought
all his holdings i'll the X. and A. and
q. @. But the scare must have taught
him a lesson for ever since then he's
been conservative and talks about the
foolishness Of investors who try to get
more than per cent Or who think of
anything but good railroad bonds.
AS for myself, a month after these
occurrences [ was appointed superintend-
ent of the Missouri Western, which by
this deal had become one of the largest
railroad systems i'll the world 1t was
big step up for so young a man and was
of course pare favoritism, due to Mr..
Cullen's influence. ] DIDN'T stay in the
position long, for within two years
was offered the presidency CT the Chi
cago and st. Paul, and think that was
won on merit. Whether or not 1 hold
the position still 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
that afternoon, and consequently we
had to lie that night at Ash Forks.
made the officers my excuse for keeping
away from the Cullens, as wished to
avoid Madge. did my best to be good
company to the bluecoats aud had a
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 a guard ceased
with the compromise, the cavalry re-
manned till the next morning, and, aft
er giving them good breakfast, about
6 O'Clock we shook hands, the bugle
sounded, and off they rode For the first
time I understood how fellow disap-
pointed in love comes to enlist.
When l turned about to go into my
car, I found Madge standing on the
platform of 218 waving handkerchief.
paid no attention to her and started
up my steps.
"Mr. GOrIon," she said--and when
looked at her 1 saw that she was flush
ing-''what is the natter"
1 suppose most fellows would have
found some excuse, but for the life Of
me l couldn't. All 1 was able to say
was:
II would rather not say, Miss Gull
len. 4"
GLOW unfair you arer she cried.
"You-withOut the slightest reason
you suddenly go out of your way to i'll
treat, insult me, and yet will not tell me
the cause -
That made me angry. "Cause?" I
cried. GAS if you didn't know of a
cause. What you don't know is that
overheard your conversation with Lord
Rallies night before last ="
"My conversation with Lord Ralles?"
exclaimed Nadge in a bewildered way.
Eyes" l said bitterly, keep up the
acting The practice is good, even if it
deceives no one. y
81 don't understand a word you are
saying, said she, getting angry in turn.
"You speak as if had done wrong as
fl don't know what-and / have a
right to know to what you allude. "
II don't see how / can be any clear
en-, / said. 81 was under the station
platform, hiding from the cowboys,
while you and Lord Rallies were walk
ing. / didn t want to be listener, but
l heard a good deal of what you said. )"
"But didn t walk with Lord Rallies, {"
she cried "The only person I walked
with was Captain Ackland. "
That took me very much aback, for
had never questioned in my mind that
it was Lord Rallies. Yet the moment she
spoke / realized how much alike the two
brothers voices were and how easily the
blurring Of distance and planking might
have misled me. For moment / was
speeches.. Then said:
It makes no difference with whom
you were. What you said was the essen
tia1 part. -
But how could you for an instant
suppose that could say what I did to
Lord Ralles?" she exclaimed.
81 naturally thought he would be the