Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-30
$3.50 CHAPTER XIV.
Listeners Never Hear Anything

| 0O0Q.
Before I had ceased chuokling over the
sherifr's indignant declarat 4 of the can
| ons of etiquet. I heard Mr.. Cuilen's voice
demanding to know what the trouble was.
and it was quickly explained to him that
1 had escaped. He at once gave them per-
mission to search his car, and went In with
the sheriff and the cowboys. Apparently
Madge went In, too. for In a moment 1
heard Camp say, in low voice
TWO of you fellows get down below the
car and crawl in under the truck where you
I can't be seen. Evidently that cuss isn't
| here. but he's likely to come by and by. II
| so, nab him II you can and IL you can't,
| fire two shots. MoseIy, are you heeled?"
do 1 chaw terbaccy?" asked Mosely
| ironically, clearly insulted at the sugges-
| ton that he would travel without gun.
l., Then, keep sharp lookout, and listen
/ to everything you hear, especially the
| whereabouts of some letters If you can
| spot their lay, crawl out and get word to
me at once. Now, under you go before
| they come out"
II heard two men drop into the gravel
close alongside of where 1 lay. and then
| crawl under the truck of 21S. They weren't
a moment too soon, for the next instant
platform, and Albert Cullen's voice drawi,
| "Aw by Jove, what's the row." Camp
not enlightening them. Lord Rallies sug-
| gested that they get on the car to find out,
anu tN0 three ulu 50. "A LioHcHt idltl lIo
sheriff came to the door and told Camp
| that / was not to be found.
II told yer this was the last place to look
| for the cuS5, Mr.. Camp" he said. We've
| just disconnected the lady for nothin.
'Then we must search elsewhere" spoke
up Camp. Come on, boys.
| The sheriff turned and made another elab-
crate apology for having had to trouble the
| lady.
l heard Madge tell him that he hadn't
troubled her at all, and then, as the cow
boys and Camp walked off, she added,
"And. Mr.. Gunton. L want to thank you
for reproving Mr.. Camps dreadful swear
THANK yer, MISS" said the sheriff. I'VE
| fellers are a little rough at times. but
me If we don't know what's due to a lady.
Papa" said Madge, as soon as he was
| out of hearing, 1.-THE sheriff is the most
beautiful swearer ever heard"
For while there was silence round the
station; l suppose the party in 218 were
comparing notes. while the two cowboys
and had the best reasons for being quiet.
Presently, however. the men came out of
! the car and jumped down on the platform.
Madge evidently followed them to the door,
for she called, please let me know the mo-
| ment something happens or you learn any
thing"
Better go to bed, Madgy." Albert called.
you'll only worry and It's after g."
II couldn't sleep IL l tried she answered.
Their footsteps died away in a moment.
and heard her close the door of Us. In
l
| stepping down to the station platform, be-
gan to pace up and down it. If 1 had only
| dared. L could have put my finger through
| the crack of the planks and touched her
/ foot as she walked over my head. but
| was afraid 1t might startle her into a
| shrek. and there no explaining to her
| what It meant without telling the cowboys
| how close they were to their quarry.
Madge hadn't walked from one end of
| the platform to the other more than three
| or four times. when 1 heard some one COM
| ing. She evidently heard it also, for she
| said:
81 began to be afraid you hadn't under
| stood me-"
| 81 thought you told me to see first If L
| were needed responded a voice that even
1 the distance and the planks did not
| prevent me from recognizing as that OF
| Lord Rallies.
| "Yes." said She .'You are sure you can
| IT couldn't be OF the slightest use." as
serted Rallies. getting on to the platform
| and joining Madge. IT'S as black as Ink
everywhere. and don't think there's any
thing to be done till daylight"
| Then I'm glad you came back, for
really want to say something-to ask the
greatest favor Of you"
You only have to tell me what 1t is,"
| said his lordship.
Even that is very hard" murmured
Madge TIT Oh! I'm afraid 1 haven't
the courage after ALL"
"Ill be glad to do anything can"
'Its-well- Oh, dear. 1 can't. Let's
walk a little. while I think how to put it,
They began to walk. which took a weight
| of my mind. as / had been forced to hear
| every word thus far spoken. and was
| dreadlng what might follow since I was
| perfectly helpless to warn them. The plat
| form was built around the station. and in
moment they were out of hearing.
Before many seconds were over. however.
| they had walked round the building, and L
! heard Lord Rallies say:
You really don't mean that he's insulted
your"
THAT is just what 1 do mean" cried
Madge, Indignantly. Its been almost past
endurance. l haven't dared to tell any
one. but he had the cruelty, the meanness,
| on Hance's trail to threaten that"
AT that point the walkers turned the coz
ner again. and l could not hear the rest of
| the sentence. But had heard more than
enough to make me grow hot with NORTH
cation. even while l could hardly believe l
had understood Alright. Madge had been so
| kind to me lately that couldn't think she
| had been feeling as bitterly as she spoke.
| That such an apparently frank girl was a
| eonSummate actress wasn't to be thought,
| and yeti remembered how well she had
played her part on Hance's TRAIL but even
| that wouldn't convince me. Proof of her
| duplicity came quickly enough, for. while
I was still thinking. the walkers were round
| again. and Lord Rallies was saying:
Why haven't You complained to your
/ father or brothers,
| Because I knew they would resent his
1 conduct to me. and
"Of course they would" cried her COM
panion. interrupting. But why should
you object to that?"
| because of the letters" explained
Msdge. Don't you see that If we made him
| angry he would betray US to Mr.. Camp
and.
| Then they passed out of hearing. leaving
| me almost desperate. both at being an
| eavesdropper to such conversation, and
| That Madge could think so meanly of me.
] Tc say it. too. to Lord Rallies made 1t cut
| all the deeper, as any fellow who has been
| III love, will understand.
Round they came again in a moment and
| / braced myself for the lash of the whip
| that felt was coming. didn't escape It,
| for Madge was saying:
Can you conceive of man pretending
| TO care for girl and yet treating her so?
1 can't tell you the grief. the modification,
| I have endured" She spoke with half
| sob in her throat as IL she was struggling
| not to cry. which made me wish l had
| never been born Its been all could do
| to control myself in his presence, / have
/ come SO utterly to hate and despise him."
| she added.
.I-don't wonder" growled Lord Rallies
my only surprise is
| With that they passed out of hearing
| again. leaving me fairly desperate with
Shame, grief, and I'm afraid with anger