Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-21

mes besides his now devoted followers
OIL Company G and was recognized as
q sort of field officer of the day., re-
spected and looked up to by the entire
command. McConville, differing with
Nathan as to the arrangement Of af-
fairs, had withdrawn from the south
side during the early hours Of the night
ana was quartered in an old passenger
ear at the Big Horn yards. Captain
Damrell, the "doughboy" right bower
OIL old Gray Fox. had reached town at
midnight and supervised, il he did not
actually supersede. Nathan. Chan
1lng, wearied, but triumphant. was still
at his post at the passenger station
md in full telegraphic communication
with his entire line and with the presi-
dent and board of directors He was
hungry and eager for dinner, but a
speciaP' was coming. full tilt from
Gunnison junction, and he could not
go. The Missouri Pacific had rushed
Mrs. Melville over it's line posthaste to
Omaha as the result of alarming dis.
patches concerning the majors condi-.
ton. and, with one of Gray Fox's staff
officers as escort, she had spent the
morning speeding up the line of the
Missouri Valley and was expected ey-
cry minute. Langdon had been duly
Informed of the injury inflicted on his
honored chief and friend. but it was a
time when his presence and services
were sorely needed at the yards, and
he had to be content with the tidings
that Melville had been borne to the
Brentwood House, given the best roo..,
and attention and was resting easily.
Now ne was planning for nap of
perhaps an hour, for the mob was scat
tered In silent. sullen groups all over
town, and, so planning, he came back
toward the station and was surprised
TO see Two carriages in waiting and
Channing, with numbers of his subor-
dinates, on the platform He was still
more surprised when. with a volume Of
steam rushing from the escape valve,
powerful locomotive came ringing in
from the east two or three cars in it's
noisy wake, and belated soldiers, news
paper correspondents and railway men
sprang to the platform, while Chan
ming stepped forward to greet another
party, followed by a little swarm of
curious spectators. a moment later,
as Langdon reached the steps, lie saw
Charming, with lady on his arm, ell
bowling way through the circle He
saw the top of little hat-a lady's
-hat-following in their lead, and his
heart gave 4 sudden leap. The next in
slant he, too, broke through the fringe
of townsfolk and, lifting his hat with
his left hand, quietly possessed him
self OF stylish travelling bag with the
other.
Why, Mr.. Langdonw was the as
tonished cry of the damsel thus greet
ed, and, though further words she
spoke not for the moment, the light
that flashed in Ethel Grahame's eyes
and the color that sprang up in her
cheeks told the intruder that it was
more than welcome meeting.
,"Oh. you'd known 'em both before"
said Claiming as the carriage whirled
away. why, cert'nly! Hello. IL here
isn't Barclay! Now, what do you spose
he wants? | want you to come to the
Brentwood and dine with me-. Mr..
Langdon-soon as get rid of these
people,"
They drove straight to the platform
and unloaded-first, Barclay, groomed
scrupulously and dressed as usual, but
pale and haggard; then two of his su-
perintendents, both well known to
Claiming in earlier days. Forward
they came until within close hailing
distance, and then, with a jaunty, half
half envious tone, the
magnate of the Seattle accosted his
rival from the ranks, and the throng
closed in about them.
well, Claiming. luck,s been with
you again, hasn't it? What'll you take
for your rabbits paw"
"Luck!' laughed Charming, triumph
in his twinkling eyes. "'Twasn't luck,
but pluck, and here's our rabbits paw.
Mr.. Barclay, shake hands with Captain
This? Why''- was all Barclay
could find to say as he looked and saw
and turned a saffron red.
Yes" said Langdon placidly as he
shifted both his hands behind him. II
have met the-manager before"
4. ITO he Continued ]