Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-04-23
ON THE 2::32
By OTH0 n. SENGA
By OHIO q. SENGA


gram he had just received TO his part
ner Isn't that just like school
girl:"
Mr.. Braincrs read il and laughed.
II suppose she sent il collect"
YES" And then both men laughed.
The message was as follows:
Dear Brother Davie-l am coming to
Boston. Please meet me at the South sta
ton The train leaves IIinkley Heights at
/ o'clock and reaches Boston at s:3s.
ALICE ARMSTRONG.
II didn't know you had sister. Arm
strong
Il haven't This is my stepmothers
adopted child. I haven't seen her for
four years. She was n pretty little
thing then. about fifteen. When my
father and his wife went abroad two
years ago they placed the child in a
boarding school
Il see she uses the name OF Arm
strong
oddly enough. that is her own
name. My fathers wife was Mrs.
Dana. In adopting Alice she did not
change the childs name. and when
she met and married my father she de-
clared that Alice's name WAS prophetic
of what was TO come. must go.
Brainerd I've barely time to reach
the station.
In the crowd ut the terminal he
found himself shoulder TO shoulder
with Rob Tennessee. the detective.
Hello. Dave. Going away!'
No. Expect my sister on this 2:32.
Got case here. Bob
YES. A young fellow from Blank
ton-bank messengcr-got fifty thou
sand ON him in cash and another fifty
I'm negotiable bonds"
The 2:S2 came slowly TO a standstill.
and the passengers streamed out.
Armstrong had not long 10 wait. A
trim. stylish figure in gray. with skirts
of ankle length. and two heavy braids
of yellow hair tied in several places.
schoolgirl fashion. with big black
bows. rushed up To him. exclaiming.
'Davie. Davie. Don't you know me.
Davie:" putting up pretty red mouth
TO he kissed
Armstrong WAS surprised. but he
wasn't nj all slow" and as he walked
away with his pretty sister he decided
that Alice had improved.
Don't wait. Davie." pleaded Alice.
I'm in an awful hurry"
Just a minute. child. Bob wants TO
speak TO me
Fooled some way. Dave
'Goi of somewhere else perhaps"
"No; the OBJ is express from Blank
tom
MIR. Tennessee. Alice: my sister.
Miss Armstrong. Bob"
Alice did not offer her hand nor
raise her eyes to Bob's face as she
murmured faint acknowledgment.
"Will You take carriage. Davie.
pier The Saxonia leaves ut $3.50. and
] have engaged u staterOom."
You are not going alone. AliceT'
"Oh. yes: mamma sent for me. She
Is to meet me nj Queenstown"
Armstrong. watching her bright
face. thinking il very charming. ex-
claimed suddenly. Alice. what have
You done Ia your eyebrows"
He ives shocked at the quick paling
OF the girls face.
"Oh. don't scold me. Davie." she
pleaded. II had them darkened;
they are so much more becoming
Not with your light hair" said
Armstrong shortly. They don't look
natural. Wash that Off as soon as you
can. child. and don't do il again"
There was silence in the carriage
during the rest Of the drive. Alice
sobbcd softly behind her handkerchief.
and Armstrong was III nj ease. Why
wasn't he kind TO the child in just this
little hour they were To he together:
Notwithstanding his dim memory Of
her. she seemed 10 have remembered
him very pleasantly. and she was Ger
tainly n charmingly affectionate little
thing. He put his arm around her and
drew her head Ia his breast
"Here you are. sir" called cabby.
opening the door. shall I waltz
YES. I'm only going to see my sis
ter comfortably aboard
please wait here. Davie." said Alice
as soon rs they were on deck. I'll he
back in just minute"
She was away before he could an
swer. He waited patiently until the
warming came for 'All ashore that's
going ashore" \ smart looking hoy
with closely cropped. black hair. wear
ing a trim uniform of blue. with gold
braid on his cap. rushed up TO him.
Your sister was unable Ia return. Mr.
Armstrong. and sent this note Hurry.
sir: they are about to lower the plank "
Seated in the hanson. Mr.. Armstrong
hastily reviewed the past hour. He was
annoyed and greatly dissatisfied. He
had disapprovcd of the elder Arm
strong's marriage. hut nothing would
induce him ,o he other than courteous
10 his fathers wife or kind To- her
child. lie had met his stepmothcr hut
few times and was really not at all
acquainted with this girl But she had
appealed To him rs To II brother In n
frankly affectionatc way. and he had
u