The St. Mary banner., 1904-10-15
IN THE TOWER.


"AreD't you going to kiss me good
by-Jack?' The little wOman's flush
Of irritation still burned hotly in her
round cheaks, despite the Appealing
brown c.es. Her voice was half re-
proachful half indignant.
The operator hesitated, biting his
lips. His face, too, bore traces Of
wrath. Their first quarrel had been a
sharp passage and he, being slower of
tongue, rCw stood at the door, with an
angry sense of defeat.
A chance for a parting stab. He
hoped it would hurt. 1t hurt him more
than he expected.
No! I'm not" he burst out, gruffly
well skip that, Kate. You women
think a man can be made target for
whatever you choose to say, and then
brought around at will. I'm not that
sort"
AS he stamped down the steps he
heard her sob; paused, shook his head
resolutely and went on to his post.
The signal tower looked gloomy
enough in the blackness of the lever
Ing winter evening. Lawson slipped
on the frosty tracks he glanced up
at the light glaring from the window.
From the heavy, settling sky the flakes
of snow were beginning to whiten the
tops Of the dismal string Of empty
freight cars on the siding.
Its going to be nasty storm the
man muttered, climbing the stairway.
-Four hours before Bourne shows up.
Well, Harry will be glad to go home to
his wife, wish-no! don't. I'd
rather be here than uncomfortable in
the house with a nagging woman. Is
that what am going to get for ex-
pressing my opinion Of mother-in-law's
prospective visit? She shan't come"
"Hullo, Jack! You're a welcome
sight. l was getting nervous; really,
It's pretty paky sitting here alone.
Every time the instrument calls,
think, There's trouble!' Poor Dickson!
Who do you suppose killed him, Jack?
A gang, or some rufflan? All alone in
the tower, never dreaming of such
thing, and then-Great heaven. I
wouldn't take your Job for $40 night.
You ought to have some one with you" ;"
"Pshaw, Harry" Lawson threw cff
his coat. you need seasoning, boy.
DickSOn's was q case of a man who
carried a wad and Dragged Of it. Bound
to lose his money some time. That
might have occurred on the street or
in his bed. Merely happened to be con-
venient to nab him at his table.
Tough? know, but when you've been
10 years in this business one poor
devil going suddenly isn't subject to
get nervous prostration ever. The big
accidents are wnat shake a chap"
'But the way of it, Jack. The
oh ~ along home, lad. I've moth
ing to attract marauders except my
good looks. A@fo. one will bother me.
Often some Fellow drops in for a chat,
and Bourne relieves me at midnight.
Much obliged for your spelling me,
Harry. 1t gives me chance for sup
per at the house, and when a mans
married." He stopped with a shrug
OF his broad shoulders, adding in a diff
fefsnt tone. "All clear?"
''A clear. Jack. Everything on time.
No. 7S went through at GAS. Fast
freight due to pass in 10 minutes.
Gocd-by. Take care of yourself"
Likely boy" commented Lawson,
filling his pipe and sitting down.
Good as any Of 'em already; safe and
levelheaded. Got nervous, did he? Not
the only one on the line, I guess. We
all carry q pop now. I must say it's
. handy companion .~"'
He ticked OF a message, rose, gazed
out, grinned, felt of his hip pocket and
scowled. 4t
'Fhunder!" he exclaimed. II forgot
1t. Confound Kate! !. She drove every
thing out Of my head"
Nothing but his good locks" The
man who stepped inside half hour
later to greet the operator; cordially
and to seat himself 'ungracefully was
not in search Of money. 80
lawson supposed Sharpson was
''dver It Lately the disappointed
lover had appeared very friendly, even
to calling twice at the house. Kate
had made him welcome. It was non.
sense the way Sharpson had acted be.
fore the wedding. but, his eccentric
temper only rendered. him a butt for
ridicule. A short, thiclpet, slouching
man, black OF sparse beard and small.
clcsssst eyes, he held but sorry
chances in the lists with John Lawson.
A. foolish conceit, surely, that Kate
BARLEY cared for him, and would have
been his but for the arrival of the big
stranger from Wheeler Junction. who
promptly and effectively captured the
affections Of the ticket agents daugh-
ter. Six months, new, and the wrath
Of Eharpson forgotten.
bad night" remarked that gentle
man, brushing his sleeves. Thought
ia drop in q moment and warm up
before my tramp" 49,. -
WHARF are you bound for? 'Tisn't
much Of . night for a walk"
Right. 1t amt Oh! I've got to go
dear out to Dashnell's. He's sick and
a.