Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-05-21

n OaSneN mo lllc uepOI Iuu up 10
H. the operators window.
whats the nearest station
east of herei"
p" leisurely answered the agent
in some surprise.
How far is it,"
-Four miles"
Telegraph ahead and hold the train
that just left here"
THE train doesn't stop there"
ITS got to stop there or there III be
more trouble than this road has had
Since it began business. The conduct
or pulled ont and left two of his pas
scngers-gave out wrong Information
and he'll have to hold his train there
or bring her back here. II you don't
send that order, I'll report you as we'll
as the conductor
Grcnfals manner was commanding.
The agents impression was that he
was important. that he had a right 10
give orders; but lie hesitated.
There's no way for YOU but to get
to p anyway" he said while turn
ing the matter over in Lis mind.
You stop that train! I'll get there
inside of twenty minutes. Now, be
quick, Wire them TO hold her. or
there II be an order from headquarters
for some ninety day lay offs The
agent stared at him, then turned to his
instrument, and the message went for
ward. Lorry rushed out. On the plat
form lie nearly ran over the hurrying
figure in the tan coat.
I,i, in
minute" he gasped and dashed away.
Her troubled eyes blinked with aston
ishment
At the end of the platform stood
mountain 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 S10:' cried Grenfall.
"What say?' demanded the driver,
half falling to the ground.
Get me to P inside of twenty
minutes, and I'll give you $40. Hurry
up. Answer"
Yes but, you see I'm hired to-
ooh, that's all right! You'll never
make money easier. Can you get us
there in twenty minutes:
ITS four mile. pardner, and not very
good road, either. Pile in, and we'll
make it er kill old Hip and jim. Miss
the train?"
Get yourself ready for race with
an express train, and don't ask Qucs-
tons, Kill 'em both if you have to.
Ill be back in a second
Back to the a tion he tore. She was
standing nea he door looking up the
track misera :. Already night was
falling. Men ore lighting the switch
lanterns. and the mountains We're turn.
ing into great dark shadows.
Come quickly. | have a wagon out
here"
Rcsistlessly she was hurried along
and fairly showed through the open
door of the odd looking coach. He was
beside her on thGe~ eat in an instant,
and her bewildered ears heard him
say:
Drive like the very DEUCE Then
the door slammed. the driver clatterod
up to his scat, and the horses were off
with a rush.
ed, sitting very straight and defiant.
After that train. I'll tell you all
about it when ! get my breath. This is
TO be the quickest escape from a diem
ma on record, provided it is an es-
cape BY this time they were bump.
ing along the tinty road at n lively
rate, jolting about on the seat in a
most disconcertinG manner After q
few long. deep breaths he told her how
the ride in the Springs hack had been
conceived ana of the arrangement he
had made with the dispatcher. He
Furthermore, acquainted her with the
cause of his being left when he might
have caught the train.
Just as | reached the track. out of
breath, but rejoicing, | remembered
having seen you on that side street and
knew that you would be left. 1t would
have been heartless to leave you here
without protection, so ! felt il my duty
to let the train 40 and help you out of
very ugly prcdicament."
"How can | ever repay you;" she
murmured, 1T was so good and 50
thoughtful of you! Oh, should have
died had | been left here alone. DC
you not think my uncle will miss me
and have the train sent back" she
went on sagely.
That's so" he exclaimed, somewhat
disconnected. "But | don't know, eli
thcr. He may not miss you for lonl
time, thinking you are in some Othel
car, you know That could easily hap
PEN" trlumphantly.
Can this man get us to the next sta
ton in timeE' she questioned, lookins
at the black mountains and the dense
foliage. 1t was now quite dark.
IF he doesn't bump us to death be
fore we get half way there. He's driy
ing like the wind"
you must let me pay half his bill,
she said decidedly from the dark corner
In which she was budding.
He could find no response to this per
emptory request,
"The road is growing rougher. Il
you will allow me to make a sugges
ton, | think you will see its wisdom
You can escape a great deal of ugly
Jostling if you will take hold OF my
arm and cling to it tightly. l vii
brace myself with this strap. / an
sure II will save you many hare