Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-12-31
CHAPTER II.

~ "Whafs The nearest station
east OF here?"
p" lelsurely answered the agent
In some surprise.
"How far is iiY'
-Four miles"
"Telegraph ahead and hold the train
that just left here"
"Thc train doesn't stop there"
ITS got TO stop there or there II be
more trouble than this road has had
since II began business. The conduct
or pulled out and left two Of his pas
fengers-gave out wrong information
and he'll have TO hold his train there
or bring her back here If you don't
send that order, I'll report you as well
as the conductor
Grenfall's manner was commanding.
The agents impression was that lc
was important, that he had right 10
give orders; but he hesltated
"There's no way for you but TO get
to p anyway" he said while turn
Ing the matter over in his mind.
"You stop that train! III get there
inside Of twenty minutes. Now. be
qulckl Wire them TO hold her, or
there II be an order from headquarters
for some ninety day lay OFFS The
Ggont stared at him. then turned TO LIS
instrument, and the message went for
ward. Lorry rushed out. On the plat
form he nearly ran over the hurrylng
Gguro In the tan coat.
pardon me. I'll explain things IN a
minute" he gasped and dashed away.
Her troubled eyes bllnked with aston
ishment.
At the end Of the platform stood a
rountaln coach, along the sides OF
which was printed IN yellow letters,
Happy Springs" The driver was
climbing up to his seat, and the cum
bersome trap was empty.
"Want to make Sl0I' cried Grenfall
what sayT demanded the driver
lalf falling to the ground.
Get me TO P inside Of twenty
minutes, and I'll give you $40, Hurry
rpl Answerl"
''Yes; but, you see, I'm hired to-
"Oh, that's all right You'll never
make money easier Can you get III
.bere In twenty minutesp
ITS four mile, pardner, and not very
good road, either. Pile In, and wen
make II er kill old Hip and Jim. Miss
sbe tralnY
"Get yourself ready for race will
an express train, and don't ask ques
lions. XIII 'em both II you have to
I'll be back In n secondw
Back TO the station he tore. She wa,
standing near the door looking up thC
track mlserably Already night was
falling. Msn were lighting the switch
lanterns, and the mountains were turn
Ing into great dark shadows.
Come quickly. have n wagon on
here"
Reslstlessly she was hurried alonI
and fnlrly showed through the opel
door Of the odd looking coach. lie wa
beside her on the scat In an instant
and her bewldercd cars heard hin
say:
"Drive like the very deuce" The
the door slammed, the driver clattere
up TO his seat, and the horses were OF
with rush.
"Where are we goingw she demand
ed, sitting very straight and defiant
after that train. I'll tell you nj
about 1t when get my breath. This I
to be the quickest escape from a dilem
ma ON record, provided Il is an cs
cape" by this time they were bump
Ing along the flnty road at livcl,
rate Joltlng about ON the seat In
most dhconccrtng manner After
few long deep broaths he told her hoy
the ride In the Springs hucll had bccI
conceived and OF the arrangement m
had made with the dispatcher He
furthermore, acquainted her with th
cause OF his being left when he Nigh
have caught the train.
"Just as / reached the track, out O
breath, but rejoicing, | romembcrc
having seen you ON that side street am
know that you would be- left. 1t woul
have been hcartless to leave you her
without protection, so felt Il my dut,
to let the train so and help you out o
avery ugly prcdicumeut"
How can | ever repay your Sh
murmured. 1T was so good aud IS
thoughtful OF youl oh, should hay
died had | been left here alone! ID
you not think my uncle viii miss m
and have the train sent back" sh
went on sngcly.
"rhats sow he exclaimed. somcwha
Disconnected. "But l don't know, e
ther. lie may not miss you for a Ion
time, thinking you are In some othc
car, you know, That could easily hai
pen, triumphanuy.
"Can this man get us TO the next sta
ton in timer SHE questioned, lookin
at the black mountains and the dcus
foliage IL was now quite dark.
III he doesn't bump us to death D,
fore We get half way there. He's dr,
Ing like the wind
You must let me pay half His ulll
she sid decidedly FROM the dark corn,
Ia which she was huddlMg
lilo could find no response to this pei
emptory request
"The road is growing roughcr
you VIII allow me 10 make a suygr
tlon, | think YOU win see it's wisdom
You can escape a great deal of ugl
jostllug II you VIII take hold uf IN
arm and cling to 1t tightly | wi
brace myself with this strap. an
sure 1t viii save you many har
bumps"
Without u wod she moved 90 hi
side and wound her strong little an,
about his big one.
81 had thought OF that" she sai
simply, Thank you" Then. after
moment, while his heart thumped ma,
ly, Had II occurred To you that uftC
you ran 80 hard you might hay
climbed aboard the train and orderc
the conductor to stop il for mc2'
IL never thought OF tbatr no erie
confusedly
"Plcaso do not think me uugrtctu
You have been very good 20 me.
stranger. One often thinks aftorway
OF things one might have donc. don
you knowl You did the nohlcst who