Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-02
CHAPTER II.
TWO STRANGERS

w ORRY wasted very little time. He
E dashed into the depot and up to
RI the operators window.
"Whats the nearest station
east of here:'
"P-," leisurely answered the agent
/ In some surprise.
"How far is it!"
"Four miles"
"Telegraph ahead and hold the train
\ that just left here
4 1.-The train doesn't stop there"
cts got to stop there or there II be
more trouble than this road has had
since it began business. The conduct
or pulled out and left two of his pas
sengers-gave out wrong Information
and he'll have to hold his train there
or bring her back here. If you don't
send that order. I'll report you as well
as the conductor"
Grenfnll's manner was commanding.
The agents impression was that he
was important. that he had right to
give orders; but he hesitated.
There's no way for you but to get
4 to p anyway" he said while turn
ing the matter over in his mind.
..You stop that train! III get there
inside of twenty minutes. Now, be
quick. Wire them to hold her. or
there II lie an order from headquarters
for some ninety day lay offs" The
agent stared at linn. then turned to his
instrument and the message went for
ward. Lorry rushed out On the plat
form he nearly ran over the hurrying
figure in the tan coat.
Pardon me. I'll explain things In a
minute" he gasped and dashed away.
Her troubled eyes blinked with aston
ishment
at the end OF the platform stood n
mountain coach, along the sides of
which was printed In yellow letters.
Happy Springs" The driver was
climbing up to his seat, and the cum
bersome trap was empty.
want to make $1O:' cried Grenfall.
"What say?" demanded the driver,
half falling to the ground.
Get me to P inside OF twenty
minutes. and I'll give you $40. Hurry
up! Answer!'
"Yes; but. you see. I'm hired to-
"Oh, that's all right! You'll never
make money easier. Can you get US
there in twenty minutes?"
Its four mile. pardner. and not very
good road. either. Pile in. and wei!
make 1t err kill old Hip and Jim. Miss
the trnini"
,,o,,c,.,tf ,.ouI~ INV eocn NTH
an express train, and don't ask ques-
tons. XIII 'em both il you have to.
I'll Ike buck in seconds"
Back to the station lie tore. She was
standing near the door looking UP the
track miserably. Already night was
falling. Men were lighting the switch
lanterns, ana the mountains were turn
Ing into great dark shadows.
Come quickly. l have wagon out
here
Resistlessly she was hurried along
and fairly showed through the open
door OF the odd looking coach. He was
beside her on the seat in an instant,
and her bewildered ears heard him
say:
"Drive like the very deuce" Then
the door slammed. the driver clattered
up to his seat, and the horses were of
with rush
"Wllere are we going?' she demand
ed, sitting very straight and defiant.
after that train. I'll tell you all
about IT when get my breath. This is
4 to be the quickest escape from diem
ma on record. provided it is an es-
cape" BY this time they were bump
ing along the ilinty road at lively
rate, jolting about on the seat In Il
most disconcerting manner. After a
few long. deep breaths he told her how
the ride in the Springs hack had been
conceived and of the arrangement he
4 had made with the dispatcher. He.
4 furthermore, acquainted her with the
/ cause of his being left when he might
have caught the train.
Just as reached the track, out of
breath. but rejoicing, remembered
having seen you on that side street and
knew that you would be left. 1t would
have been heartless to leave you here
without protection, so felt 1t my duty
to let the train go and help you out of
very ugly predicament."
How can ever repay your she
mnrmured. 1T was SO good and so
thoughtful Of you! Oh, should have
died had been left here alone! Do
4 you not think my uncle will miss me
and have the train sent back:" she
went Oh sagely.
"Thats sou he exclaimed. somewhat
Disconnected But l don't know, Ell
Their. He may not miss you for long
time, thinking you are in some other
car. you know Tint could easily hap
pen," triumphantly.
1 Can this man get us to the next sta.
/ ton in timer she questioned, looking
ut the black mountains and the dense
foliage. 1t was now quite dark.
'If he doesn't bump us to death be-
fore we get half way there. He's driv-
ing like the wind"
You must let me pay half his bill"
she said decidedly from the dark corner
in which she was budding.
He could find no response to this per-
emptory request.
1.-The road is growing rougher. III
| you will allow me to make sugges-
/, ton. l think you will see its wisdom.
/ of molly