Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-15


 nies besides his now devoted followers of Company G and was recognized as a sort of field officer of the day, re- spected and looked up to by the entire command. McConville, differing with Nathan as to the management of af- fairs, had withdrawn from the south side during the early hours of the night and was quartered in an old passenger car at the Big Horn yards. Captain Damrell, the "doughboy" right bower of old Gray Fox, had reached town at midnight and supervised, if he did not actually supersede, Nathan. Chan ming, wearied, but triumphant, was still at his post at the passenger station and in full telegraphic communication with his entire line and with the presi- dent and board of directors. He was hungry and eager for dinner, but "speciaP' was coming full tilt from Gunnison Junction, and he could not go. The Missouri Pacific had rushed Mrs. Melville over its line posthaste to Omaha as the result of alarming dis patches concerning the majors condi- tion, and, with one of Gray Fox's staff officers as escort, she had spent the morning speeding up the line of the Missouri Valley and was expected ey- cry minute. Langdon had been duly informed of the injury inflicted on his honored chief and friend, but it was a time when his presence and services were sorely needed at the yards, and ne had to be content with the tidings that Melville had been borne to the Brentwood House, given the best room and attention and was resting easily. Now he was planning for. nap of perhaps an hour, fer the mob was scat tered in silent, sullen groups all over town, and, so planning, he came back toward the station and was surprised to see two carriages in waiting and Charming, with numbers of his subor- dinates, on the platform. He was still more surprised when, with a volume of steam rushing from the escape valve, a powerful locomotive came ringing in from the east, two or three cars in it's noisy wake, and belated soldiers, news paper correspondents and railway men sprang to the platform, while Chan ming stepped forward to greet another party, followed by little swarm of curious spectators. A moment later, as Langdon reached the steps, he saw Charming, with a lady on his arm, el- lowing way through the circle. He saw the top of little hat--a lady's hat-following in their lead, and his heart gave sudden leap. The next in- stant he, too, broke through the fringe of townsfolk and, lifting his hat with his left hand, quietly possessed him. self of stylish travelling bag with the other.
 .'Why, MT. Langdonr'' was the as- tonished cry of the damsel thus greet led, and, though further words she spoke not for the moment, the light that flashed in Ethel Grahame's eyes and the color that sprang up in her cheeks told the intruder that it was more than welcome meeting.
 "Oh, you'd known lem both befcrev said Charming as the carriage whirled away. Why, tcert'nly! Hello. if here isn't Barclay! Now, what do you s'pose he wants? Iwant you to come to the Brentwood and dine with me, MT. Langdon-soon as I get rid of these people," L15b
 They drove Straight to the platform and unloaded4 first, Barclay, groomed scrupulously and dressed as usual, but pale and haggard; then two, of his su- perintendents, both we'll known to Charming in earlier days. Forward they came until within close hailing distance, and then, with a jaunty, half patronizing, half envious tone, the magnate of the Seattle accosted his rival from the ranks, and the throng closed in about them.
 "Well, Charming, luck's been with you again, hasn't it? What'n you take for your rabbit's paw?''
 "Luckr' laughed Charming, triumph in his twinkling eyes. "'Twasn't luck, but pluck, and here's our rabbits paw. MT. Barclay, shake hands with Captain Langdon." - 3a.{
 "This? Why was all Barclay could find to say as he looked and saw and turned a saffron red.
 ''Yes," said Langdon placidly as he shifted both his Hands behind him. q have met the-manager before"
 (To Be Continued