The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-10-13

What's the nearest station east of
here?"
P leisurely answered the agent.
in some surprise.
How far is it?'
-Four miles"
Telegraph ahead and hold the train
that Just left here
The train don't stop there"
It's got to stop there-or there'u be
more trouble than this road has had
since IL began business. The conductor
pulled out and left two of his passengers
gave out wrong information and he'll
have to hold his train there or bring her
back here. If you don't send that order
III report you as well the conductor
GrenfalIs manner was commanding The
agents impression was that he was i'm
portant-that ne had a right to give
ders. But he hesitated.
There's no way for you but to get 10
P anyway" he said. while turning the
matter over in his mind.
You stop that traini I'll get there in
side Of twenty minutes. Now be quick!
Wire them TO hold her-or therell be an
order from headquarters for some ninety-
day lay-offs-" The agent started At him;
then turned to his instrument. and the
message went forward. Lorry rushed out.
On the platform he nearly ran over the
hurrying figure in the tan coat.
Pardon me. I'll explain things in a
minute" he gasped. and dashed away.
Her troubled eyes blinked with astonish-
ment
At the end Of the platform stood 4 noun
tain coach. along the sides of which was
printed i'm yellow letters. Happy
Springs" The driver Mas climbing up 10
mis- seat and the cumbersome trap was
empty.
Want 10 make ten dollars?" cried
Grenfam
What say?" demanded the driver. half
falling to the ground.
Get me TO p inside of twenty min
utes and I'll give you ten dollars Hurry
up Answer
Yes. hut you see I'm hired to
oh. that's all right, You'll never make
money easier. Can you get us there in
twenty minutes?'r
IT'S four mile. pardner. and not very
good road. either. Pile in. and We'll make
it CT kill old Hin and jim. Miss tire
train?"
Get yourself ready for a race with an
eEpress train and don't ask questions
Kill EN- both if you have TO. Iii be hack
in a secondt'
Pack 10 the station he tore. She was
standing near the door. looking I'D the
track miseraby. Already night was fall
Ing. Men We're lighting the switch Ian
terms and the moUntains were turning
into great black shadows.
Come quickly: I have a wagon cut
here"
Resistlesslv she was hurried along and
fairly showed through the open door of
the odd-looking coach. He was beside her
on the seat in an instant. and her bewil-
dered ears heard him say:
Drive like the very deucei' Then the
F. door slammed the driver clattered up to
his seat and the horses were off with 4
rush
After that train. I'll tell you all about
II when I get my breath. This is to be
the quickest escape from A dilemma on
reCOrd-providing it is an escape BY
this time they were humping along the
finty road at lively rate jolting about
on the seat in a most disconcerting man.
ner After a few long. deep breaths ne
told her how the ride in the Springs hack
had been conceived and Of the arrange
nent he had made with the dispatcher.
He Furthermore acquainted her with the
cause Of his being left when he might
have caught the train.
Just IS I reached the track. out of
breath but rejoicing, I remembered hav-
ing seen you on that side street. and
knew that you would be left It would
have been heartless TO leave you here
without protection, 50 ! felt it my duty 70
Jet the train 90 and help you out Of a
very ugly predicament"
How can ever repay you?' she muir
INJURED. 1T was 50 good and thoughtful
Of you. Oh. I should have died had I
heen left here alone Do you not think
my uncle viii miss me and have the train
sent back" she went on, sagely.
That's sou he exclaimed, somewhat
disconnected. But ] don't know either
He may not miss you for long time.
thinking you are in some other car. you
know. That could easily happen r-
umphantly.
can this man get us to the next sta
ton in time?' she questioned. looking at
the black mountains and the dense foi-
age. II was now quite dark.
IF he doesn't bump US TO death before
we get half way there. He's driving like
the wind"
You must let me pay half his BILL she
said. decidedly, from the dark corner in
which she was budding.
He could find no response to this per-
emptory request
The road is growing rougher. If you
will allow me to make q suggestion, 1
think you viii see it's wisdom You can
escape q great deal of ugly jostling if
you viii take hold Of my arm and cling
to 1t tightly. I will brace myself with
this strap. I am sure it will save you
many hard bumps"
Without q word she moved to his side
and wound her strong little arm about his
big one.
Il had thought Of that" she said sim
ply. Thank you" Then after moment.
while his heart thumped madly: Had 1T
occurred TO you that after you ran so
hard you might have climbed aboard the
train and ordered the conductor to stop it
for me?"
IL never thought Of thatr' he cried.
cOnfusedly.
please do not think me ungrateful.
You have been very good to me,
stranger. One often thinks afterward of
things one might have done, don't you
know? You did the nobest when you
Inconvenience yourself for me. What
trouble I have made for you" She said
this so prettily that he came gayly from
the dependency into which her shrewd-
ness, bordering on criticism, had thrown
him He knew perfectly well that she
was questioning his judgment and pres
ence Of mind, and, the more he thought
Of il the more transparent became the
absurdity Of his action.
1T has been no trouble, he found