Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-23
CHAPTER VIII.
How Did the Secret Leak OutP

O41<A1 \ xlxS 444s
How Did the Secret Leak outp
made up for my three nights lack OF
sleep by not waking the next morning till
after ten. When 1 went to 21S. I found
only the chef, and he told me the party had
gone for ride. Since 1 couldn't talk to
Madge, went to work at my desk. for
had been rather neglecting my routine
work While still wrote, heard horses
hoofs, and, looking up, saw the Cullens re-
turning. went out on the platform to wish
them good morning. arriving just in time
to see Lord Rallies help Miss Cullen out
OF her saddle; and the way he did it, and
the way he continued to hold her hand af-
ter she was down. while he said something
to her. made me grit my teeth and look
the other way. None Of the riders had
seen me, SO slipped into my car and went
back to work. Fred came In presently to
see If l was up yet, and to ask me to
lunch, but felt SO miserable and down.
hearted that made an excuse of my late
breakfast for not joining them.
After luncheon the party in the other
special all came out and walked up and
down the platform, the sound of their
voices and laughter only making me feel
the bluer. Before long heard a rap on
one of my windows, and there was Miss
Cullen peering in at me. The moment
Won't you make one of us, Mr.. Nissan
thrope?'
I called myself all sorts of a fool, but out
I went eagerly as if there had been some
hope Miss Cullen began to tease me over
my sudden access of energy, declaring that
she was sure 1t was a pose for their bene-
fit, or else due to guilty conscience over
having slept so late
Il hoped you would ride with US, though
perhaps it wouldn't have paid you. APP
parently there is nothing to see in Ash
Forks"
~.,sgThere is something that may interest
you ALL / suggested, pointing to special
that had been dropped off No. that morn
''What Is it?" asked Madge.
Its a G. S. special 1 said, land Mr..
Camp and Mr.. Baldwin and two u. >. ofn-
Gals came in on it. -
what do you think he'd give for those
letters?" laughed Fred
'If they were worth SO much to you,
suppose they can't be worth any less TO the
&. ST. / replied.
fortunately, there is no way that ne can
learn where they are said Mr.. Cullen.
Don't let's stand STILL, cried Miss Gull
len. MIR Gordon, I'll run you race to
the end of the platform" She said. this
only after getting a big lead, and she got
there about eight inches ahead of me,which
pleased her nightly. 1T takes men SO
plained her victory. Then she walked me
beyond the end of the boarding to explain
the workings of a switch to her. That II
was only pretext she proved to me the
moment I had relocked the bar, by saying:
mfr Gordon, may ask you a question!
"Certainly," / assented.
eft is one / should ask papa or Fred,
but I am afraid they might not tell me tne
truth. You WILL won't you! she peeseo'
very earnestly.
Isl will" / promised.
..Supposing," she continued. that it be-
came known that you have those iettersi
W. 4 - eli do NV
I thought for a moment, and then shook
my head. mo new proxies could arrive
here in time for the election. sald' anu
the ones / have will not be voted
She still looked doubtful, and asker,
"Then why did papa say just now, 'Fortu-
natelyT"
HE merely meant that it was safer they
shouldn't know"
'.Then 1T is better to keep 1t secret!
she asked, anxiously.
II suppose So" l said, and then aodeo,
why should you be afraid of asking your
father"
sure he would sacrifice himself; and
couldn't run the risk"
II am afraid don't understand ques-
toned.
II would rather not explain" she said,
and of course that ended the subject
Our exercise taken, we went back to the
Cullens' car, and Madge left us to write
some letters. A moment later Lord Ralles
remembered ne ndQ Iol WIittSh iioiiiS
Gently, and he, too. went forward to the
dining room. That made me call myself
something, for not having offered MISS Cui-
len the use of my desk in 81. Owing to this
the two missed part of the big game we
were playing; for barely were they gone
when one of the servants brought card
to Mr.. Cullen, who looked at 1T and ex-
claimed, Mr. Campr Then, after speak
ing pause, In which we all exchanged
giances, he said, Bring him in
On Mr. Camps entrance he looked as
much surprised as we had all done mo-
ment before. Il beg your pardon for IN,
that this was Mr.. Gordon's car, and I wish
Il Ia am Mr.. Gordon"
You are travelling with Mr.. Cullen?" he
inquired, with touch OF suspicion In his
mo" answered. my special is the next
car, and l was merely enjoying cigar
here"
terrupt your smoke, and will only relieve
you of those letters of mine"
took good pull at my cigar, and
blew the smoke out IN cloud slowly to
gain time. Il don't tfAhk ! follow you'
said.
II understand that you have in your pos
session three letters addressed to me-
II have I assented.
'"Then I will ask you to deliver them TO
me-"
.'Why not?" he challenged. They're my
property"
/ produced the Postmaster Generals tel
egram and read it to him.
why this is Infamous Mr.. Camp cried.
What use will those letters be after the
18th. It's conspiracy.
II can only obey instructions said.
ut shall cost you your position If you
do" Mr.. Camp threatened.
AS I've already said. haven't good
temper, and when he told me that couldn't
help retorting:
That's quite on a par with most G. s.
methods
I'm not speaking for the G. s., young
man." roared Mr. Camp. II speak as a di-
rector Of the Kansas and Arizona. What is
more, / will have those letters inside of
twenty-four hours
He made an angry exit, and l said to
Fred II wish you would stroll about and
spy out the proceedings of the enemy's
camp. He may telegraph to Washington,
and If there's any chance of the Postmas-
ter General revoking his order I must go
back to Flagstaff on No. this afternoon"
He shan't do anything that don't know
about till he goes to bed Fred promised
But how the deuce did he know that you