Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-11

 universe were centered III nIm.
 T dare say Langdon applied there, poor felloww said Melville gravely, the deep brown eyes softening still more at the thought of the rebuff the sad, heartsick fellow probably met if in- deed 1t was to Mrs. Nathan's uncle to whom he applied. ..But there are other roads open to Langdon that exact less and pay far more than railroads, only Langdon always had predilection for railway engineering and service. Gap tain Charming is writing to Langdon new and has written to an elder broth He's greatest rival. the Missouri Val ley. Now, there is trouble on both roads, and men are very much needed, so think Langdon will be provided for, in the near future. l hope Ethel did not allow herself to be much-dis- turbedY' and when the major finished in this half interrogative way it was meant to imply that while he might be hopeful he was by no means confident. He had known Ethel, a beloved sisters only child, since her babyhood and knew her to be fearless, resolute and anything but polite. He was wonder ing as he stroked with his one disen- gagged hand the heavy brown mustache what Ethel might have said in reply to Mrs. Nathan.
 But there was no immediate oppor- t1nity for inquiring. The papers that had deluged the post with Chicago's version of the scandals at Sheridan had reached Pawnee that day, some 30 hours old, and second in local interest were the details Of the serious situation on some of the great transcontinental railways. Officials and operatives had come to the final clinch. An ultimatum had been prepared ''in the interests of labor" If not acceded to by the man. agers within 24 hours, not only the transcontinentalsc complete, but the Se- attle and Missouri Valley roads, would be tied up forthwith.
 Before Mrs. Melville could frame her reply to the majors question there came step on the piazza, ring at the hall bell, and then Cats" voice was heard in an animated converse with some companion. Melville himself opened the door to bid them enter-the colonel and his silent adjutant.
 Melville, here's a gov' began the commanding officer, without prelimi- nary of any kind. "I'm ordered to send reliable officer at once to Oma- ha to act under special instructions that are to meet him there, and you're the most reliable man I have. Gan you make the night train" r Easily, colonel" ' .'so be it, then. I'll have the orders made out at once"
 | Several of the battery officers went down to see their leader off. Charming, too, was there and led the major aside a moment. "I've written direct to Langdon," he said, "and given him let ters to my brother with instructions how to find him. He'll be somewhere out on the line now, I suppose. The only question is, Will Langdon be well enoughT IA
 Melville pondered a moment before he replied:
 Nelson wrote three days ago that it might be- week-that would be till Friday, say. This is Wednesday night. fancy he'll hardly be strong enough, Charming, but thank you all the same {" l Yet when Friday ieEening came it brought a dispatch for Charming that gave him keen anxiety:
 Letter for Langdon here. He disappeared dur ing morning. No trace. NELSON.
 CTo Be Continuedy '