Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-02-21
CHAPTER II.

, he would join us at Lamy on No 8 that
evening. at once ordered OF and 2l8
, on to the connecting train, and in an
hour we were back on the main line
While waiting for the overland to ar
rive, Mr.. Cullen asked me to do some
thing which, as it later proved to have
considerable bearing on the events Of
that night, is worth mentioning, trivial
as it seems. When I had first Joined
the party, had given orders for 81 to
be kicked in between the main string
and their special, SO as not to deprive
the occupants Of 21S Of the view from
their observation saloon and balcony
platform. Mr.. Cullen came to me now
ana asked me 20 reverse the arrange.
ment and make my car the tail end ]
was giving orders for the splitting and
kicking in when No arrived, and
thus did not see the greeting Of Frederic
Cullen and his family. When Joined
them, his father told me that the high
altitude had Knocked his son up, so that
he had had to be helped from the or.
binary sleeper to the special and had
gone to bed Immediately. Out west ws
have to know something Of medicine,
and my car had its chest Of drugs So
took some tablets and went into his
stateroom.
Frederic was like his brother in ap-
pearance, though not in manner, having
quick, alert way. He was breathing
with such difficulty that was almost
tempted to give him nitroglycerin, in
stead Of strychnine, but he said he
would be all right as soon as he became
accustomed to the rarefied air, quite
poohpoohing my suggestion that he
take No. 2 back to Trinidad. And while
was still urging the train started
Leaving him the walls of digitalis and
strychnine therefore, went back and
dined solus on my own car, indulging
at the end in cigar the smoke of
which would keep turning into pictures
Of Miss Cullen. have thought about
those pictures since then AM have con.
cluded that when cigar SIN Ike behaves
like that man might as v all read his
destiny in it, for 1t can mean only one
thing.
After enjoying the combination
went to No. 218 to have look at the
son and found that the heart tonics had
benefited him considerably. On leaving
him went to the dining room, where
the rest OF the party were still at din
ner, to ask that the invalid have
strong cup of coffee, and after deliver. ,
ing my request Mr. Cullen asked me to
Join them in cigar. This did gladly, /
for cigar and Miss Cullen's society
were even pleasanter than cigar and /
Miss Cullen's pictures, because the pic
lures never quite did her justice, and,
besides, didn't talk.
Our smoke finished, we went back to
the saloon, whore tha gentlemen sat
down to poker, which Lord Rallies had
Just learned and liked. They did not
ask me to take hand, for which was
grateful, as the salary of railroad su.
porintendent would hardly stand the
game they probably played. And had
my compensation when Miss Cullen
also was not asked to join them She
said she was going to watch the moon
light on the mountains from the plat
form and opened the door to go out,
finding for the first time that No. 81
was the 'cnder In her disappoint-
ment she protested against this and
to know the why and wherefore
"We shall have far less motion,
Madge," Mr.. Cullen explained. "And
then we shan't have the rear end man
IN our car at night.
But l don't mind the motion"
Urged Miss Cullen, land the flagman is
here only after we are all in our
looms. Please leave US the view"
81 prefer the present arrangement,
Madge," said Mr.. Cullen in very
positive voice
l was so sorry for Miss Cullen's dis
that, on impulse, l said, ,,
THE platform of 81 is entirely at your
ervice, Miss Cullen The moment it
vas out realized that l ought not to ,,
lave said it and that l deserved re- !
luke for supposing she would use my
ar.
Miss Cullen took it better than l :.
loped for and was declining the offer
IS kindly as my intention had been in
making it when, much to my astonish-
nent, her father said: {
by all means, Madge. That relieves
S of the discomfort of being the last ,,
ar, and yet let's you have the scenery
nd moonlight. s" !
Miss Cullen looked at her father for l
moment as if not believing what she
ad heard. Lord Rallies scowled and 5
pened his mouth to say something, but
hecked himself and only flung his dis
ard down us if he hated the cards.
THANK you, papa, said Miss Gull
N. but l think 1 will watch you 9
lay !.
Snow, Madge, don't be foolish" q
nd Mr.. Cullen irritably. "You might l.
LIST as well have the pleasure, and ].
ou' II only disturb the game if you stay = :
ere" q
Miss Cullen leaned over and whisper
l something and her father answered s;
er. Lord Rallies must have heard, for 81
3 muttered something which made =.
-iss Cullen color up, but much good it l,
ID him, for she turned to me and said, 81
Since my father doesn't disapprove, CT
ill gladly accept your hospitality, Mr..
ordon.'' And, after glance at Lord "
allies that had challenging I'm do
l please" in it, she went to get her III
1t and coat "
The whole incident had not taken ten W
conds, yet it puzzled me beyond meas h
e, even while my heart beat with an
hone for my hetter sense u