West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1899-04-20
CHAPTER XVI.
A GLOOMY aoopBY.

Ab tudt point my importance ceased.
Apparently seeing chat the game was
up, Mr.. Camp later in the morning ask
ed Mr.. Cullen TO give him an interview,
and when he was allowed to pass the
sentry he came TO the steps and suggest
ed:
Perhaps we can arrange a compro-
mise between the Missouri Western and
the Great Southcrn?'
1--WE can try" Mr. Cullen assented.
Come into my car" He made way
for Mr. Camp and was about TO follow
him when Mad9e took hold Of her ia
TIERS arm, 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 21S j can speak only at second
hand, and the world knows about as
well rs how the contest was compro-
missed by the X. 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 Il traffic
arrangement agreed upon that satisfied
the q. s. The next day Missouri West
ern board for the X. and A. was elected
without opposition, and they I'm turn
elected Mr.. Cullen president of the X.
and ~, so whom my report of the hold
ing mp went in he had the pleasure OF
reading it. closed il with a request
for Instructions, but 1 never received
any, and that ended the matter. turn
ed over the lettCIs to the special agent
at Flagstaff, and suppose his report is
slumbering IN some pigeOnhole in Wash
ington, for L should have known of any
attempt TO bring the culprits TO punish
ment. Mr.. Cullen had taken a Ing risk,
but came out of IL with great lot Of
money, for the Missouri Western bought
all his holdings in the X. and A. and
o. O. 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 B per cent or who think Of
anything but good railroad bonds.
AS for myself, n month after these
occurrences was appointed superintend-
ent Of the Missouri Western, which by
this deal had become one Of the largest
railroad systems in the world 1t was a
big step up for so young man and was
of course pure favoritism, due to Mr.
Cullen's influence. didn't stay i'm the
position long, for within two years ]
was offered the presidency Of the Chi
cago and St Paul, and think that was
won on merit. Whether or not. 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
50 that we couldn't couple ON to No. 4
that afternoon, and consequently we
had to lie that night at Ash Forks. /
made the officers my excuse for keeping
away from the Culleus, az I wished to
avoid Madge. I did my best to 10 good
company 10 the bluecoats and had a
FIRST class dinner FOR them ON my car.
hut was in pretty glum need, which
even champagne couldn't modify
Though Mi necessity of a guard ceased
with the compromise, the cavalry re.
rnaincd ill the next morning, and, aft
OF giving thou p good breakfast. about
9 o'clock we shook hands. the bugle
sounded, and of they rode For tho first
time I understood how a fellow disap-
pointed in love comes TO enlist
When ] turned about to go into my
car, / found Madge standing OH the
platform of 218 waving handkerchief
! paid no attention 20 her and started
mp my steps
''Mr Gordon" she said-aud when
] looked .at her / saw that she was flush
ing--''what is the natter"
1 suppose most fellows would have
found some excuse, but for tho life Of
me I couldn't All I was able 20 say
was:
II would rather not say, Miss CuI-
len.
How unfair you arep' she cried
You-without the slightest reason
you suddenly go out Of your way 10 in
treat, insult me, and yet will not tell mo
the causc.
That made me angry. "Cause2'' I
cried "As II you didn't know Of a
cause What you don't know is that I
overheard your conversation with Lord
Rallies night before last "
My conversation with Lord Rallos?''
exclaimed Madgc In n bewildcrcd way
Yes. / said bitterly. keen no. tho