The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-10
CHAPTER III.
Two Strangers in n Coach.

lnlO InG tBO anu ~
window.
whats the nearest station east of
here2"
P" Ieisurely answered the agent,
I'm some surprise.
How far is it?'
-Four miles"
TELEGRAPH ahead and hold the train that
just left here"
The train don't stop there
ITS got TO stop Thereon there'H be more
trouble than this road has had since 1t be-
gan business. The conductor pulled out and
left two OF his passengeTs-gave out wrong
information, and he'll have 10 hold his
train there or bring her back here. II you
don't send tina order I'll report you as well
as the conductor" GrenfaITs manner was
commanding. The agents impression was
that he was important-that he had a right
to give orders. But he hesitated.
There's no way for you TO get TO P
any way he said, while turning the matter
over in his nina.
You stop that train I'll get there inside
of twenty minutes. Now, be quick! Wire
them to hold her-or there'n be an order
from headquarters for some ninety-day lay
offs" The agent stared at him; then turned
TO his instrument, and the message went
forward LOFTY uSscu Jul. I'll NHS
he nearly ran over the hurrying figure In
the tan coat.
Pardon me. I'll explain things in a min
ute" he gasped, and dashed away. Her
troubled eyes blinked with establishment.
At the end of the platform stood a noun
tain coach, along the sides of which was
printed in yellow letters: Happy Springs"
The driver was climbing UP to his seat and
the cumbersome trap was empty.
want to make ten dollars?' cried Gren-
fall.
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
upl Answer"
Eyes, but, 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?'
It's four mile, pardner. and not very
good road, either. Pile in, and Wen make IL
er kill old Hip and Jim. Miss the train?"
Get yourself ready for a race with an
express train and don't ask questions. Kill
'em both If you have to. I'll be back in a
secondi"
Back TO the station he tore. She was
standing near the door. looking up the
track mlSeTaDly. AITeduy night WIS III
Men were lighting the switch lanterns and
the mountains were turning into great dark
shadows.
Come quickly: I have a wagon out here"
Resistlessly 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 bewildered
ears heard him say:
Drive like the very deuce!' Then the
door slammed, the driver clattered up to his
seat and the horses were off with a rush.
Where are We going?' she demanded,
sitting very straight and defiant
After that train. I'll tell you all about it
when / 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 hinty road at a
lively rate, Jolting about on the seat in a
most disconcerting manner. After a few
long. deep breaths he told her how the ride
in the Springs hack had been conceived
and OF the arrangement 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 as 1 reached the track, out Of
breath but rejoicing. 1 remembered having
seen you on that side street. and knew
that you would be left. 1t would have
been heartless to leave you here without
protection, so I felt it my duty to let the
train go and help you out of a very ugly
predicament-"
How can I ever repay your she muir
INJURED 'It was so good and so thoughtful
of you. Oh, 1 should have died had 1 been
left here alone. Do you not think my uncle
will miss me and have the train sent back?"
she went on, sagely.
That's sou he exclaimed. somewhat dis
concerted. But I don't know. either. He
may not miss you for a long time. thinking
you are in some other car. you know. That
could easily happen" triumphantly.
.'Can this man get US to the next station
I'm timer" she questioned, looking at the
black mountains and the dense foliage. 1t
was now quite dark.
If he doesn't bump W to death before we
get half way there. He's driving like the
wind"
You must let me pay half his bin.' she
said, decidedly, from the dark corner in
which she was budding.
He could find no response to this peremp-
tory request.
THE road is growing rougher. If you will
allow me to make a suggestion. L think you
will see its wisdom. You can escape a great
deal OF ugly jostiing if you will take hold
OF my arm and cling to it tightly. 1 will
brace myself with this strap. 1 am sure it
will save you many hard bumps"
Without a word she moved to his side and
wound her strong little arm about his big
one.
II had thought Of that" she said simply.
Thank you" Then, after a moment, while
his heart thumped madly: Had il 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 that" he cried.
confusedly.
Please do not think me ungratefuI. You
have been very good TO me, a stranger. One
often thinks afterward of things one might
have done. don't you know? You did the
nOblest when you Inconvenience yourself
for me. What trouble 1 have made for you. /"
She said this so prettily that he came gaily
from the dependency into which her
shrewdness. bordering on criticism. had
thrown him. lie 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 an
surdity OF his action.
Ut has been no trouble" he foundered
'An adventure like this is worth no end Of
er-incOnvenience as Won call II Tn, s,ro I