Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-01
CHAPTER XVI.
A Gloomy Qood-By.

At that point my Importance ceased. Ap-
parently seeing that the game was up. Mr..
Camp later in the morning asked Mr.. Gull
len to give him an interview. and when he
was allowed to pass the sentry ne came to
the steps and suggested:
Perhaps we can arrange q compromise
between the Missouri Western and the
Great Southern"
I'VE can try" Mr.. Cullen assented. Come
into my car" He made way for Mr.. Camp,
and was about to follow him when Madge
took hold Of her fathers arm. and. making
him stoop. whispered something to him.
What kind of q placer" asked Mr.. Gull
len, laughing.
"a good one" his daughter replied.
1 thought 1 understood what was meant.
She didn't want to res, under an obligation,
and so was to be paid up for what had
done by promotion. 1. made me grit my
teeth. and IL hadn't taught myself not to
swear. because Of my position could have
given Sheriff Gunton points on cursing. 1
wanted TO speak Up right there and tell Miss
Cullen what thought Of her.
OF The interview. which took place inside
218. I cen speak only at second hand. and
the world knows about as well / how
the contest was compromised by the X. &
A. being turned over to the Missouri West
ern. the territory in southern California be-
ing divided between the California Central
and the Great Southern, and a traffic ar
rangement agreed upon that satisfied the
G. 8. That afternoon a. Missouri Western
board for the X. & A. was elected without
opposition, and they, in turn. elected Mr..
Cullen president of the K. g. A so when my
report OF the holding-up went in. he had the
pleasure Of reading II. closed 1t with re.
quest for Instructions, but never received
any, and that ended the matter. I turned
over the letters to the special agent at Flag
staff. and suppose his report is slumbering
in some pigeon-hole in Washington. for I
should have known Of any attempt to bring
the culprfts to punishment. Mr.. Cullen had
taken big risk. but came out Of 1t with a
great lot Of money. for the Missouri West
ern bought all his holdings In the X. & A.
and G. G. But the scare must have taught
him a lesson. for ever since then he's been
conservative, and talks about the foolish
ness Of investors who try to get more than
per cent, or who think of anything but
good railroad bonds.
AS for myself. a month after these oc-
currences I was appointed superintendent
of the Missouri Western. which by this deal
had become one Of the largest railroad sys-
TENS in the world It was big step up for
so young a man, and was OF course pure
favoritism, due to Mr.. Cullen's influence.
didn't stay in the position long. for within
two years I was offered the presidency of
the Chicago and st. Paul. and think that
was won on merit. Whether or not, 1 hold
the position still. and have made my road
earn and pay dividends right through the
panic.
All this Is getting away ahead Of events,
however. The election delayed that
we couldn't couple on to No. that after
noon. and consequently we had to lie that
night at Ash Forks. made the officers my
excuse for keeping away from the Cullens,
as wished to avoid Madge. did my best
tc be good company for the bluecoats. and
had first-class dinner for them on my car,
but was in a pretty glum mood which
even champagne couldn't modify. Though
all necessity Of a guard ceased with the
compromise. the cavalry remained till the
next morning, and after giving them good
breakfast, about O'Clock we shook hands
the bugle sounded. and Off they rode. For
the first time understood how fellow
disappointed in love comes to enlist.
When turned about to go into my car.
found Madge standing on the platform of
21S waving handkerchief. / paid no at
tention to her. and started up my steps.
Mr. Gordon" she sa,d-and when look
ed at her 1 saw that she was flushing
what is the matter?"
I suppose most fellows would have found
some excuse, but for the life of me I
couldn't. ALI was able to say was:
II would rather not say. Miss Cullen"
|, How unfair you arep' she cried. YOU
without the slightest reason you suddenly
20 out of your way to ill-treat-insult me,
and yet will not tell me the cause"
That made me angry. "Cause?" 1 cried.
you don't know is that I overheard your
conversation with Lord Rallies night before
last"
MY conversation with Lord Ralles7" ex-
claim ed Madge, in a bewfldered way.
Yes" I said bitterly, keep up the acting.
The practice is good, even II 1t deceives no
one"
II don't understand a word you are say
ing" she retorted, getting angry In turn.
You speak as II had done wrong-as If
I don't know what; and / have a right to
know to what you allude.
Il don't see how l can be any clearer,
Y Inrt t,n rfrf 4 Re
form. hiding from the cowboys, while you
and Lord Rallies were walking. 1 didn't
want to be listener. but 1 heard good
deal of what you said.
but I didn't walk with Lord Rallies"
she cried. "The only person I walked with
was Captain Ackland."
That took me very much aback. for had
never questioned in my mind that 1t wasn't
Lord Rallies. Yet the moment she spoke,
realized how much alike the two brothers
voices were. and how easily the blurring OF
distance and planking might have misled
me. For moment was speeches.. Then
I replied cOldly-
ut makes no difference with whom you
were. What you said was the essential
part"
pose that 1 could say what l did to Lord
Ralles?" she demanded.
IT naturally though he would be the one
to whom you would appeal concerning my
insulting conduct"
dt
transfixed. Then she laughed and cried
"Oh, you idiot"
While / still looked at her in equal
amazement, she went on, Il beg your par
don, but you are so ridiculous that had to
say It. Why. I wasn't talking about you,
but about Lord Rallies"
Lord Ralles!" cried.
YES"
II don't understand" exclaimed.
why, Lord Rallies has been-has been
oh. he's threatened that IL I wouldn't
that"
You mean hep began. and then stop
ped. for couldn't believe my ears.
"Oh," she burst out. 'of course you
couldn't understand. and you probably de-
spise me already, but II you knew how l
scorn myself, Mr.. Gordon. and what have
endured from that man, you would only
pity me-
Light broke on me suddenly. DO you
mean, Miss Cullen" cried holly. that he's
been cad enough to force his attentions
upon you by threats?
yes. First he made me endure him be-
cause he was going to help us, and from
the moment the robbery was done he has
been threatening to tell. Oh, how 1 have
suffered
Then 1 said a very silly thing. Miss
Cullen" groaned, I'D give anything If |
were only your brother" For the moment
| 7 roo Ilv rraaapt II