The San Francisco call., 1904-11-26
AS THE TRAIN :: ::
: :: ROLLED NORTH
BY FRANK n. SWEET.

test, but a hand fell upon the arm
gently.
NO need of that now, my friend.
the still white lips whispered Il am
awake and in my right mind I shall
never attempt anything like that
again"
The train began TO saaeken and at
that moment the door opened and the
conductor came out They were pass
ing over a short piece of road where
repairs we're being made, and slow
speed was necessary. The conductor
nodded to his passenger, but seemed
surprised at his disheveled appearance
Then his gaze fell upon the tramp and
his face darkened-
You herel" he exclaimed; and after
being put off once. too! And from the
looks Of this young man you have
been up to more than stealing a ride
this time L"
There was a sudden jerk, which in
timated that the train was about to
increase it's speed. The conductor
caught the tramp by the shoulder. and
with a quick twist sent him from the
train. The passenger uttered an angry
cry Of remonstrance and tried to stay
the act, but too late. AS the train
gathered headway they saw the tramp
go pIunging and staggering down
steep embankment, at the bottom of
which he righted himself and waved
his hand cheerfuIy at the receding
train.
Five minutes later the young man
was back IN the car, two seats from
the end, still dazed and white Sud-
denly the door at the forward end
opened and a girl entered, holding
paper in her hand. She came straight
to him.
Robert, what does this awful thing
about you mean?" she exclaimed. II
suppose you have seen the paper?"
He was holding to the back Of the
seat for support, his face drawn and
haggard-
mo, you needn't show it to me.
Helen" he answered. II have not
seen the paper, but I know what it
contains 1t is true. 1 only discov-
ered it myself a short time ago. I
was given my mail as we left the
hotel and slipped it into my pocket
I did not read it until I left you and
your mother and came back to the
observation car just now. 1t was all
In letter from my partner"
The girl looked at him, her lips
trembling; but she smiled. Il know
it is not true. Robert" she declared
positively; mot a word Of it. I have
known you ever since we went to
school together, and you are utterly
incapable of thing like that You
have not read the paper, so you do
not understand. Why, Robert her
voice ouivered with indIgnation-'t the
paper says you stole half million
dollars, and from poor people-most-
ly people whose means Of support II
was. It's absurd You have been with
US the last three months and this has
all happened within that time"
But don't you see It's just the same,
Helen?" he said gently. THE money
was intrusted to me and I am the sole
one responsible. If 1 neglected the
trust and allowed my partner an op-
portunity to do the rest I am really
the one to blame"
'I say you are not" she interrupt
ed, emphatically. Maybe 1t was un-
businesslike and maybe you are legal
Iy responsible-I do not know about
that But I do know you are no more
guilty than am in the way the paper
puts it. OF course, you will let every
cent Of your property go toward pay
ing these poor people, and If it isn't
enough we will pay the rest off just
as fast as we can earn it."
"Helenl Helenl" he demonstrated
sharply, you must not talk like that
You do not understand. We cannot
be married now. Why. dear, I may be
arrested
"AH the more need you will have
for my help then" she replied quick
ly. "If / am to be a helpmeet there
will never be more occasion for it than
now. We will be married just as soon
as we reach Washington. just as we
planned, and then we will work to-
gether to live this thing down. Why,
Robertl"
For the young mans head had sud-
denly dropped to the back of the seat,
and his shoulders were heaying con-
vulsively. She sank to the seat be-
side him, slipped one of her hands into
his, stroking it softly until he should
regain control Of himself.
And miles behind them on the track
sat a tramp waiting for the next
freight. Copyright, 1904. by Frank
H. Sweet.)