Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-21

tion." said the conductor. with what I I'M
derstood to be mock solemnity.
Roderick nodded appreciatively. Il
thought that would be the first thing he
would do; that's why l bought regular
tickets. We're patrons of the company.
just like other people, and 1 dare you to
put off,
The big conductors laugh shook the win
dows.
That's what wired EN-" he said. but
that amt the worst of it. Your don't
want-to-be father-in-law's out with a wild
engine chasing us; and he's got special Or
ders giving him right of way over every
thing north and SOUTH
could not deny myself a glance at the
young mans face over the top of my book.
1t was striking and instructive study in
dismay.
by Jove. Tom, that's horse of another
color! He'll overhaul us as sure as fate.
What am I going to do?"
The big man shrugged. Cant you drop
off at Alcantro or Syracuse and have 1t
done before Bosty catches up?"
mo; that's the dickens of it-that's what
were running away for. We've got to
get out of the state. Miss Bostwick lacks
just three months of being legally of age"
20 no! 1 see That makes it bad. What's
the old man got against you, anyway,
Rod?'
Nothing against me; it's my father.
Three or four years ago. when father was
running the E.I1 they had a pretty spite
full tiff. and father quit and went over to
the East and West. Since that time the
master mechanic has had no use for any
of u.s.
who was to blame?"
Il never knew. They're both rather pep
perry, and l guess it was six of one and
half-GoZen of the other. But that doesn't
help me out of my bucket of hot water.
What am l going to do?-thats what I'd
like to know
The conductor opened his watch and
appeared to be making reflective compu-
tation.
I've got scheme, but 1 don't know
as it's worth much. He registered out for
ty-five minutes behind If he doubles
our schedule-whch he'll hardly dare to
do on this light iron-he can't catch US
before we make Brownsville. can he?"
Il should say not: but what of that?"
Just go little mite easy; I'm coming
to the scheme pretty quick now. At
Brownsville we meet the way freight, and
Jack Benson's running it. Happen to know
Jack?"
II ought to: he was fathers fireman"
Just SO. Now, if 1 was you, which it's
friend O. mine was running that way
freight, l bet you big money something
would happen down at this end of the
Brownsville yard that'd hold that there
wild engine another forty-tive minutes or
so. What!'
Tom, you're trump! Jack will do it,
if it costs him his job. You'll give me time
at Brownsville to get a word with him?''
to see you talking to limits got to be
straight-out accident, you know, with no.
body to blame"
II know" replied the young rascal with
a nod of intelligence; trust me for that.
Hello, this is La Vaca. Let's go see what
the wires have to say
They went out together. leaving me with
a new responsibility. Here was bold
conspiracy to obstruct the railway COM
panys business; possibly to involve an In
nocent person, or perhaps more than one,
In trouble. Was 1t not my duty to inter-
fere at all hazards? l confess l have lit
tie regard for Intermediates in any sort,
and this was certainly no affair of mine.
Nevertheless, l compromised on a resolve
to expostulate with the young man him
self before we should reach Brownsville,
and in the eddy of that determination re-
sumed my book and the interrupted train
of Thought.
Now, it is students weakness to be un-
conscious of the lapse of time. and. after
what seemed to me very short interval.
indeed, my young Romeo entered the
smoking room alone. Here. thought I. is
my chance to reprehend the young knave,
and l was about to do SO when he fore
stalled me.
This IS FIR Penburton, believe he be-
gan affably. producing a cigar case. viii
you join me?'
Thank you. do not smoke" 1 replied.
as severely as might be-
mo? But you won't mind my smoking
will you?"
Certainly not; wish might as readily
absolve you of your weightier offenses."
"Meaning?'-his' eyebrows went UP in
well-affected surprise.
Meaning your reckless defiance of the
proprieties in clipping with that sweet
young girl in yonder-that and your plot
to delay her anxious parent" said I,
sternly.
His smile was more than half a grimace
you don't know the circumstances, father;
If you did, you wouldn't blame us much
And as to the piot-well, that was rather
shabby trick to play on the old gentle
man, but it's too late to repent of that
now"
'"roo late? How? What do you mean?''
why, it's a matter of history so to
speak We managed among us to delay
him nearly an hour at Brownsville. but
a mile a minute"
do you mean to tell me that we have
already passed Brownsville?" demanded,
unable to believe that my abstraction had
been SO profound.
RATHER better than an hour ago. This
Is Jornada'-wi.h wave of his hand to-
ward the station at which the train was
then paustng.
The minor transgression being unpre-
ventaAle, was about to attack the major
when a brakeman came in and handed the
young man q telegram. upon which the
fell from his fingers as he read, and would
assuredly have burned hole In the carpet
had 1 not promptly set my foot upon 1t.
Great murder! but, that does settle ft!''
he groaned.
.'The way Of the transgressor-" be-
gan, but he broke in as one who hears
not.
Say. FIR Penhurton. can priest of the
Catholic church marry . pair OF heretics
At q Dinch?''
i 3