Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-04-28


ents.
The loadng, inGoient hands upon the
dial at last reluctantly loiteved up 20
the figures indicating the hour OF de-
partuTe and Captain Zenith took his
place in the coach. lie had secured a
berth. not because he hoped TO sleep.
Notwithstanding he had not rested at
all. the night previous. but that he
might be undisturoed, as he desired 10
conceal his growing nervousness from
his fellow passengers.
He was almost hopeless OF prevent
ing the marriage and tried TO hope that
The future happiness OF his child might
not be altogether ruined if he failed;
but he could not divest himself OF his
fear that the young stranger that had
turned his daughters heart from her
own family would prove 10 be unwor-
thy to possess the pearl he had stolen.
True, ne knew but little about the ad-
jutant. and that little, aside from the
elopement, was wholly to the young
mans credit. Undoubtedly the adju-
tant was well thought Of by his COM
rades, who ought to know his worth or
worthlessness; and he had made a
pleasant impression upon his pursuer;
and to occupy a satisfactory station in
life
While all these things ran through
Captain Zenith's mind his sounder
judgment steadily and persistently as
serted that a young man who, having
but months acquaintance with achild
of sixteen years, would induce her to
fee with him, even to lawful marriage,
"a OF l,ag F.-I
er to her marriage, must be destitute
OF honor, and would not scruple TO
abandon a wife if he grew tired OF her
This one act uprooted all Of Captain
Zenith's growing respect for the adju-
tant and the Captain fretted at the de-
LAYS he encountered. The more he
pondered the more anxious he grew,
till his impatience became scorching
flame in his heart.
How slowly the train moved! How
often it stopped. How uselessly it Oft
en- stopped, too Have railway man
ayers no regard for the haste OF
through passengers? No, or they would
let these by-way people wait for slow
trains, Slow trains? Goodness knows
this train is slow enough Surely it
must be losing time! No; not II his
watch was reliable and the time card
truel He half suspected his watch OF
irregularity-the watch by which he
had for years sought to regulate all
othersi
At last sleep relieved him and when
be awoke day was dawning. The train
was not moving. He ought to be In
New York; evidently he was not! He
inquired what station they were at and
the answer was: This is not station.
There has been a wreck ahead and II
will yet be some hours before we can
move on. 1t is very provoking"
Captain Zenith sank back in his
berth with groan and closed his eyes,
feeling that Providence was against
him and that therefore 1t was his duty
to be resigned and to trust to Provi-
dence for the best. There was really
some comfort in the thought and that
comfort was strengthened when he
considered his instructions to the New
York police. Hope was reawakened
and his mind grew somewhat restful
and he gained a small measure OF re-
pose.
After several hours the debris OF the
wreck was removed from the roadbed;
the track was replaced, the long delay
was ended and the train again crawled
slowly onward. 1t was noon when the
train reached New York and Captain
Zenith was driven TO the Gilsey house
As were several other passengers.
While at the counter awaiting his
turn to register. Captain Zenith saw
Lieutenant Jaquese walking from the
elevator toward the Broadway exit, and
dashing aside those who stood in his
way. he rushed across the Office shout
ing:
stop. Stop, sir! Stop"
Confusion was instantaneous. The
adjutant, who had no idea OF the prox-
unity OF Captain Zenith and no idea
that he was the object of the cries,
turned around to see what the cause
Of the commotion was. AS he turned
Captain Zenit1 seized him, saying:
stop. sir, stop! Where is my
daughter"
Captain Zenith! Are you crazy? Let
go!"
AS he spoke he wrenched himself
from the Captains grasp.
Where is my daughter. sir! Where
is my daughter
not know where she is?''
Where is my daughter, sir? You
need not try to conceal her. Where IL
she?"
1T is to learn where your daughter
is that | am in New York. | now ask
you; where is she? / have been search
ing here for her for two days"
You need not try to mislead me!
You have carried off my daughter and
you must not hope to conceal her for
| am here to rescue herr
A gentleman stepped from the sur
rounding crowd and addressed Captain
Zenith:
You are Mr.. Zenith OF Minersvale?"
Il am, sir, Where is my daughter?
DO you know where this young man
has concealed my daughter? Where
is she?"
Captain Zenith! You insult and
slander your daughter and you dis
grace YOURSELF" the adjutant said.
The stranger interposed:
Gentlemen, You are in public! IL
you will accompany me to private
apartment ] will probably be able to
set you both right 80 that you may
work together and have some chance
for success instead OF wasting your
selves In this manner. | am a detec-
tive detailed to work upon this case in
pursuance of your telegram"
Come TO my rooms; | am entirely
unable to comprehend Captain To-
NTH" said the adjutant, and the invi-
tation was accepted.