Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-08-30
HIS LUCKY FARE"

| liuR-aiinS-hHnB!
Jerry pulled the strap savagely. A
bitter expression sat strangely on his
frank. open face.
The girl looked wonderingly Mt him
as she held out her hand for the trans
fer. But his scowl only deepened.
She was like Mary-the Mary who
had disappointed him.
The girls face made his grievance
fresh again. When he went back to
the platform. he lived again through
the last nights quarrel. Till then they
had been 30 happy In plans for the fu-
ture as to be almost content with the
enforced waiting. I'VE won't get mar
ried till we can set up housekeeping
right" Mary had said. and he had &C.
| Quiesced.
but last night he had felt as II he
could wait no longer and had proposed
a hasty marriage.
81 won't marry in debt" said Mary.
| And she broke down and cried.
Her tears touched him, still touched
him. but now, MS then, pride put aside
the picture Of the forlorn little figure.
She had refused to marry him, after all
| their plighted troth. The whole world
| looked upside down to Jerry Lannigan.
He stopped the car mechanically as
he saw n wildly waving figure Mt the
next crossing. 1t proved a stout, over
dressed woman. who founced into the
car and nearly annihilated the girl as
| she damned into a seat by her side.
Jerry stepped forward for her fare.
She kept him standing there for sew
eral minutes while she looked leisure
ly through her shopping bag for the
change. Then when he was half way
| up the car she called him back.
"See here, young man; what street
do get off at for 176 Columbus?"
~ don't know. It's not on my line"
he answered shortly as he backed off.
The stout woman became indignant.
and her voice followed him.
Don't know? Why don't you know?
You are n nice sort of a person for
conductor? Whas do you suppose you
are here for?'
Poor Jerry was in no mood for ar
gument and with such an unreasona-
| bic creature as woman. He knew
the futility Of 1t. His face flushed as
he said holly, ITO know my own busi-
ness and mind It."
The woman sank back with an ejac-
ulation. When she had recovered her
breath, Jerry could hear her mutter-
ing about 'insolence" and "reporting."
| He was ashamed Of his answer before
1t had fairly crossed his lips. The girl
had heard him. But u cold chill check
ed his words Of apology as his eyes fell
upon man sitting farther down the
car. 1t was Inspector Burke, and he
was putting a number down in his
book. Jerry knew what that probably
meant-a dock for impertinence Mt the
end of the run. He Strengthened up
| proudly. 1t was his first Offense, and
there had been provocation. But they
could do as they pleased. What did
he care! What did anything matter
now that Mary had gone back on him?
Yet. as he strobe back to the plat
form. the girls eyes seemed to look
| pityingly at him. and somehow It did
not hurt so much. Mary would have
looked like that-before last night.
"A ullSt Seelueu " pubb DcAOIc Ais
eyes. He brushed his hand roughly
across them. When he looked into the
car. the girl was standing up. She
wanted to get Off at the next crossing.
He stopped the car and helped her
| carefully down the step. She looked
up Mt him gratefully.
"Thank YOU" she said. Don't wor.
ry about the inspector. Perhaps I can
put in good word for you"
He looked down at her in speechless
| wonder. In his bewilderment he did
not notice that cab had driven up to
the curb and that between the cab and
the car a deputy fire chief was racing
down the street to fire.
The girl saw, but 1t was too late, for
the horse was almost upon her. Her
cry warned Jerry. lnstinctively he
grasped the side rail OF the car and
leaned forward. Throwing his arm
about her. he exerted all his strength.
drew her to the platform and fairly
threw her against the gate on the 9th.
| err side. AS his grasp relaxed the re-
| coil swung him round and out. a part
of the buggy caught In his side pocket,
and he was dashed to the pavement,
but behind the flying wheels.
When he awoke. 1t was In a corner
drugstore. and the inspector and the
! girl were leaning over him. :
He tried to sit up. but fell back diz-
lilly from the pain in his right arm.
He forgot that he was not alone. ''Pm
out of my job sure now" he groaned.
MY right arm must be broken"
Then he remembered and flushed
shamefacedly as he saw the look of
pain on the girls face. TITS all right,
miss" he said cheerfully. 1T was all
my fault, because l ought to have seen.
J am only glad that you are SAFE"
The girls eyes were shining with
tears You are n brave fellow.
might have been killed-we might have
both been killed." she murmured. But
you saved my life at the risk Of your
own. shall not forget, and father
won't either"
When she had gone and he and In
spector Burke were in the hospital am
buance. the latter explained: "You
won't lose your job this time. for she
is the daughter OF old Preston. our
president. She's fine girl too. eh.
l.amigan:'
But Jerry only thought how like she