The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-11
ASSISTING CUPID
BY COLIN S, COLLINS.

!,
going to play with me. or I won't be able to
play off the drive
There had been slight panic on the street
that afternoon, in which stocks had taken
unaeeountable drops, and the excitement had
brought on a headache that left French unfit
for playing. Amy's remark only added to his
confusion, and the result was that he took
her king with his ace and sacrificed the win
ming trick.
While the other leaders were deciding on
the prizes French, In his befuddled state, had
said things more sharply than he had intend
ed, with the result that he had driven back
to Chatham with Amy's engagement ring in
his pocket. He resigned from the club and
for Ave weeks neither had seen the other
Each was too proud to write, and while Amy
cried softly to herself she sat in the SAL
French smoked stronger cigars than were
good for him and tried to grow interested in
card games in the smoker.
King took fatherly interest in the COM
mutters under his charge and noted with some
surprise the persistence with which Amy kept
off his train. But it is not for train
conductor to regulate the love affairs of his
passengers, and as Teddy Smith of Rossland
had let chance remark fall that gave him
the idea that the quarrel was nothing really
serious he had no recourse but to hope that
the matter would adjust itself eventually.
1t was the middle OF the sixth week. when,
to his surprise, he saw Amy standing on the
Rossland platform as the train pulled In. For
the first time since the enlargement she had
missed the earlier train and had to choose
between the $685. which would get her to the
office time, and the 9:16.
You're quite 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
The latter went red then white, and half
rose from his seat. Then he appeared to
change his mind. Il suppose she has 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 Amys wistful face out OF his
mind. When the engine whistled Carrollton,
which was the last station before they reached
the ferry, he made up his mind to make one
last effort. ''Onty ten minutes to town, Mr..
French, he warned. Miss Preston is in
the second car behind I guess she's been
sick. She looks very poorly
French started again to rise from his
seat, and King hurried on. To his dismay,
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 way through the ahead. He
touched Freddie on the shoulder. viii you
come out on the platform. Mr. Smith,? he
said. It'd like to speak to you a moment
Freddie followed wonderingly.
What is it?" he asked as they stood at the
door.
King grasped him by the arm, SO that he
could see French sitting beside Amy. 1T
wasn't something wanted to say he
answered, ''but l thought Mr.. French might
want your seat
Freddie whistled softly. ''Well, If he does
he said, "he's welcome to it. Say, King,
you don't look much like Cupid; but, by
Jove. think you're his understudy! If you
don't get piece Of wedding cake, French is
an ungrateful dog
Seven minutes later King stood at the gate
and watched his charges flock out Of the
ferry. Almost the last of the trainload came
French and Amy Preston. On her left hand
there flashed a solitaire that had not been
there when she handed up her ticket
AS they passed the gate French fshed out
a handsome leather cigar case and passed It
over. There are some good smokes in there,
King" he said, land keep the case too. You
understand"
And King. as he pulled a choice perfeeto.
understood.