Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER VIII.

On the following Tuesday morning,
three men clad in rough-and-ready
style, and wearing soft hats and thick
soled, high-topped, lace shoes, entered
the drugstore; and the leader of the
trio asked for DR.. Barwood. Marlowe
conducted them to the rear room,
where the grumpy physician was porting
over the pages of small, calf-bound
memorandum book.
The three disappeared within the pri-
vate Office, carefully closing the door
behind them.
But the transom was open, and Ralph
could not avoid hearing a part of the
animated conversation that followed
their entrance into DR.. Barwood's pres
ence. Such cabalistic expressions as
good for hundred a day"-"best
wildcatter yet"-pack her off and let
her stand"-floated out to him.
The young man glanced at his watch
from time to time, and fidgeted. At
last he walked to the back door and
knocked upon it. In moment all was
still within. Come" was the gruff in
vitation of DR.. Barwood.
Marlowe opened the door little way
and said:
Doctor, the goods | ordered from the
Badly Drug company have not arrived
We are needing them badly. Shall
send a telegram"
Eyes. "-explosively.
"Will you look after things while
go to the station?"
"Yes-yes!-with candid Impotence.
Leave the door open-and be Off"
Ralph silently withdrew, followed by
the scowls of the oil men, whose con-
fab with his employer he had inter-
rupted.
A few minutes later he stood with
his head in the ticket window of the
station and his arms spread out upon
the projecting ladge-like prisoner in
the stocks-and said to the agent:
CLARK, | want to send dispatch"
The operator silently tossed a pad
of blanks upon the shelf, still keeping
Up his manipulation of the telegraph
instrument. Ralph hastily scrubbed
away at his telegram. The sharp click
ing sound of the key along broke the
stiffness. Then of sudden the shrlll.
vibratory screech of locomotive smote
upon their ears Springing to his feet
and looking at his watch, Clark cried:
There's the north-bound passenger,
this minute. She's on time, too-right
to the tick of the watch. BY the way,
Marlowe, this Is the date of the show
at Malconta. They showed at Marietta
last night; and they'll be up on This
train. Well get chance to peep at the
pretty girls maybe. anyhow"
And smiriing and grimacing IN a
prankish manner, the operator spread
himself before the front window and
pressed his face to the smoked pane.
At the words Of his companion, Ralph
started and paled slightly; and the
hand that held the telegram trembled.
"Herel" he. cried irritably. Take
this. must get back to the drug
store"
"Eh?" said Clark, turning his head
"All right. I'll send it as soon as the
trains gone But you're not going to
rush off and miss seeing the pretty
girls, are your"
Marlowe made no reply, but whirling
around made for the door. Just as he
reached the place of exit, however, he
became aware OF the thunderous roar
of the approaching train and the brazen
clarg of the locomotive bell.
TOO late" he muttered angrily; and
shrank into a shadowy corner of the
waiting room.
There he made pretense of studying
dusty map upon the wall. Several
persons were in the room, waiting to
take the train, but they gave no heed
to his actions. The breathing. snorting
demon of wood and iron rolled IN to
the station and came to a stop. The
waiting passengers hurried from the
room and mingled with the surging
crowd upon the platform.
ITO be Continually