Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-05-02

to"uiHS ~. CLOSED III with Request
for instructions, but l never received
my, and that ended the matter. l turn
I'd over the letters to the special agen
at Flagstaff, and suppose his report
slumbering in some pigeonhole in Wash
| ington, for l should have known of an
attempt to bring the culprits to punish
ment. Mr.. Cullen had taken big risk
but came out of it with great lot @
money, for the Missouri Western bough
all his holdings in the X and A. an,
@. @. But the scare must have laugh
him a lesson, for ever since then he'
foolishness of investors who try to &c
more than 8 per cent or who think O
anything but good railroad bonds.
AS for myself, month after thes'
occurrences was appointed superintend
ent of the Missouri Western, which by
this deal had become one Of the larges
railroad systems in the world. 1t was 9
big step up for SO young man and wai
Of course pure favoritism, due to Mr.
Cullen's influence. I didn't stay in the
position long, for within two years
was offered the presidency Of the Obi.
cago and st. Paul, and think that wa.
won on merit. Whether or not, I hold
the position still and have made my
road earn and pay dividends righi
through the panic.
All this is getting away ahead q
events, however. The election delayed Us
SO 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 Cullens, as I wished to
avoid Madge. did my best to be good
company to the bluecoats and had Q
first class dinner for them on my car,
but was in a pretty glum mood, which
even champagne couldn't modify.
Though all necessity of a guard ceased
with the compromise, the cavalry re.
manned till the next morning, and, aft
er giving them a good breakfast, about
8 O'Clock we shook hands, the bugle
sounded, and off they rode. For the first
time l understood how a fellow disap.
pointed in love comes to enlist.
Nutu L " KY lIllC lily
car, 1 found Madge standing ON the
platform of 21S waving handkerchief
paid no attention to her and started
up my steps.
'Mr Gordon" she said-and when
I looked at her saw that she was flush
ing-"what is the matter2"
I suppose most fellows would have
found some excuse, but for the life Of
me 1 couldn't. All l was able to say
was:
Il would rather not say, Miss Cul-
len."
How unfair you are" she cried
'You-without the slightest reason
you suddenly 90 out of your way to Ill
treat, insult me- and yet will not tell me
the cause "
That made me angry "Cause" ]
cried. Gas if you didn't know of
cause What you don't know is that
overheard your conversation with Lord
Rallies night before last"
my conversation with Lord Ralles?'
exclaimed Madge in a bewildered way.
Eyes, l said bitterly, keep up the
lcting, The practice is good, even if it
leceives no one. "
81 don't understand word you are
aging, said she, getting angry in turn
You speak as if l had done wrong, as
fl don't know what-and l have
light to know to what you allude. ="
II don't see how l can be any clear
r. / said II was under the station
'latform. hiding from the COWBOYS
While you and Lord Rallies We're walk
ng. didn' want to be listener, but
heard good deal of what you said :"
"But didn walk with Lord Rallies"
he cried. 1.-THE only person I walked
With was Captain Ackland. p" l.
That took me very much aback, for
ad never questioned in my mind that
was Lord Rallies Yet the moment she
poke | realized how much alike the two
rothers' voices were and how easily the
Turing of distance and planking might
ave misled me. For a moment was
1eechless Then | said:
at makes no difference with whom
on were. What you said was the essen
al part"
"But how could you for an instant
oppose that could say what I did to !
ord Ralles?" she exclaimed.
~ naturally thought he would be the
he to whom you would appeal concern
lg my insulting conduct"
Madge looked at me for a moment as
transfixed. Then she laughed and
led:
"Oh, you IDIOT"
While | still looked at her in equal :
she went on: Il beg your
rdon, but you are so ridiculous that
Id to say it. Why, wasn't talking r
,out you, but about Lord Rallies. " {
Lord Rallesr' l cried. .
eyes. -"
81 don't understand, " I exclaimed. {
"Why, Lord Rallies has been-has {
he's threatened that if
ouldn THAT I
"You mean he'- began and then
opped, for couldn't believe my ears. {
"Oh," she burst out, "you probably {
spise me already, but if you knew how
scorn myself, Mr.. Gordon, and what !
have endured from that man you c
ould only pity me-"
Light broke on me suddenly. "De t
III mean, Miss Cullen" cried hotly, {
hat he's been cad enough to force his /
tentions upon you by threats?' 9
Eyes. First he made me endure him v
oor1Sa ba was troinU 10 holm nc and n