CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1902-09-04
ASSISTING CUPID

Every business morning for more
than a year Amy Preston hal taken
the 500 train from Rosslapd. She was
q stenographcr In the law offices o.
Bingham. Worthington Il Hatch. and
the S:59 landed her at her desk ten
minutes before 10. Every morning
Harris French caught the SAP from
Chatham. which enabled him to reach
his office in the brokerage firm of Av-
cry, Ellis & Co. at five minutes before
10. incidentally it may he mentioned
that the S:42 from Chatham was the
500 from Rossland.
French was a member of the Ross
land Progressive Euchre club because
Amy Preston was also member
After that they occupied the same
seat. George King. who was the
conductor on the train, had grown SO
used to seeing the two together tina. he
was surprise d to see French board the
train one me ming and make direct for
the smoker. Aren't you going back.
Mr.. French?" he asked as he punched
his ticket.
French shook his head savagely.
"No: I'm going to stay here" When
a I
at Rossland. King understood that
there had been kink in the course Of
true love. Later on Appel told him
that Miss Preston was coming Into
town on his train. which reached Ross
lall at S:4l 1t was n through train
and did not stop at Chatham.
The cause OF the trouble was simple
enough. He had been playing with
Amy at the euchrc club and had
been in wretchcd form. She. OH
the contrary. had been winning stead
lily. and on the last game she and
Mrs. Lane and Alice Stanton We're tied
for first place. She had glanced at
Frencli's card when she moved up TO
his table and noted with surprise that
he had but hree games credited TO his
score You'll have to do better than
that. Harry" she said. III you're going
to play with me. or won't be able to
play of the drive"
There had been n slight panic on the
street that afternoon. In which stocks
had taken unnccountable drops. and
the excitement had brought on a head
ache that left French unfit for playing
Amy's remark only added to his confu
sion. and the result was that he took
her king with his ace and sacrificed
the winning trick
While the other leaders were decid.
ing on the prizes French. in his befud.
died state. had said things more sharp
ly than he had intended. with the re
suit that he had driven back to Chat
ham with Amy's engagement ring IL
his pocket He resigned from the club.
and for five weeks neither had seen
the other Each was too proud to write.
and while Amy cried softly TO herself
as she sat nj the SAL. French smoked
stronger cigars than were good for him
and tried to grow Interested In carl
games in the smoker
King took Il fatherly interest in the
commuters under his charge and noted
with some surprise the persistence
with which Amy kept of his train. But
IL is not for train conductor 10 regu
late the love affairs OF his passengers.
II was the middle OF the sixth week.
when. TO his surprise. he saw Amy
standing on the Rossiand platform ah
the train pulled in. For the first time
since the estrangement she had missed
the earlier train and had to choose be
tween the s:59. which would get her to
the office on time. and the 9:lG.
You're quite n stranger" he said as
he punched her ticket. but she said
nothing.
He hurried through the train back to
the smoker. Miss Preston is on the
train he said as he passed French.
half rose from his seat. Then he ap
peared to change his mind Il suppose
she has n right to ride on this train" he
said shortly as he sank back into his
seat. and King passed. shaking his
head
Try as he would he could not get the
picture of Amy's wlstful face out OF his
mind When the engine whistled Car
rollton. which was the last station be
fore they reached the ferry. he made
up his mind to make one last effort.
"Only ten minutes to town. Mr..
French" he warned. Miss Preston is
In the second car behind. | guess she's
been sick She looks very poorly.
French started agnin TO rise from his
seat. and King hurried on. To his dis.
may. he found that Freddie Smith was
sitting next to Amy Preston. and there
was no seat near by He glanced back
and could see French making his wa,
through the ear ahead He touched
Freddie on the shoulder VIII you
come out on the platform. Mr. Smith?''
he said I'D like to speak to you mo
ment" Freddie followed wonderingly.
"What is IL Z" he asked as they stood
at the door
King grasped him by the arm. SO that
he could see French sitting beside Amy
at wasn't something wanted to say"
he answered. but I thought Mr.
French might want your seat"
Era,IIio ,yhistIad softIv .yyoiI 90 h..