Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-03-21
CHAPTER VIII.

HOW DID THE SECRET LEAK OUT?
l made up for my three nights lack
Of sleep by not waking the next morn
ing till after 10. When | went to 2lS, l
/ found only the chef, and he told me the
party had gone for ride. Since could
not talk to Madge, went to work at
my desk for had been rather neglect
ing my routine work While / still
wrote / heard horses hoofs, and, look
ing up saw the Cullens returning. i
went out on the platform to wish them
good morning, arriving just in time to
see Lord Rallies help Miss Cullen out Of
her saddle, and the way he did it, and
the way he continued TO hold her hand
after she was down, while he said some
thing to her, made me grit my teeth
and look the other way. None of the
riders had seen me, so slipped into my
car and went back to work Fred came
in presently 10 see if l was up yet and
to ask me TO lunch, but | felt so miser-
able and downhearted that | made an
excuse of my late breakfast for not join
ing them.
After luncheon the party III the other
special all came out and walked up and
down the platform, the sound Of their
voices and laughter only making me
feel the bluer. Before long heard a rap
on one of my windows, and there was
Miss Cullen pecring in at me. The mo-
ment looked up she called:
won't you make one of us, Mr. Mis-
anthrope?'
called myself all sorts of fool but
out l went as eagerly as if there had
been some hope. Miss Cullen began to
tease me over my sudden access of ener-
gy, declaring that she was sure it was
a pose for their benefit, or else due 10
guilty conscience over having slept 50
late.
81 hoped you would ride with us,
though perhaps it wouldn't have paid
you. Apparently there is nothing to see
in Ash Forks. "
"There is something that may inter-
est you all, - said, pointing to special
that had been dropped off No. that
morning.
What is 2" asked Madge.
Its a G.. 5. special, said, land
G. S. officials came in on it"
"What do you think he'd give for
those letters?" laughed Fred.
"If they were worth so much to you,
suppose they can't be worth any less
to the G. S, 1 replied.
Fortunately there is no way that
he can learn where they are" said Mr..
Cullen.
Don't let's stand still" cried Miss
Cullen. MIR. Gordon, I'll run you a
race TO the end of the platform. " She
said this only after getting a big lead,
and she got there about eight inches
ahead of me, which pleased her might
ly 1T takes men SO long to get start
I'd, 80 was the way she explained her VIC
tory. Then she walked me beyond the
End of the boarding to explain the work
ings of a switch TO her. That it was
only a pretext she proved to me the mo-
ment had relocked the bar by saying:
"Mr. Gordon, may ask you ques-
sion?'' I,
Certainly, l assented. i
at is one / should ask papa or Fred,
but am afraid they might not tell me
he truth. You will, won't your" she
begged very earnestly.
81 will, " said l.
Surprising, !" she continued, THAT it
became known that you have those let
jers? Would it do our side any harm?"
l thought for a moment and then
hook my head mo new proxies {
,ould arrive here in time for the cleo
ion, - said, land the ones have will
lot be voted"
She still looked doubtful and asked,
Then why did papa say just now,
Fortunately