The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-07-20
ON THE 2::32
By OHIO B. SENGA
Copyright, 1903. by T. c. Mcclure.

MT. DAVID Armstrong handed tele-
gram he had just received to his part
ner. "Isn't that just like school
girlY' ~ fi
Mr.. Brainers read it and laughed.
81 suppose she sent it 'collectY"
"Yes." And then both men laughed.
The message was as follows:
Dear Brother Davie-I am coming to
Boston. Please meet me at the South sta
ton. The train leaves Hinkley Heights at
/ o'clock and reaches Boston at 1882.
ALICE ARMSTRONG.
81 didn't know you had sister, Arm
strong"
81 haven't. This is my stepmother's
adopted child. l haven't seen her for
four years. She was a pretty little
thing then, about fifteen. When my
father and his wife went abroad two
years ago they placed the child in a
boarding school,
"T see she uses the name of Arm
strong"
oddly enough, that is her own
name. My fathers wife was Mrs.
Dana. In adopting Alice she did not
change the child's name, and when
she met and married my father she de-
clared that Alice's name was prophetic
of what was to come. must 60,
Brainerd. I've barely time to reach
the station"
In the crowd at the terminal he
found himself shoulder to shoulder
with Bob Tennessee, the detective.
"Hello, Dave! Going awayY
mo. Expect my sister on this 2:32.
Got a case here, Bob?"
Eyes. A young fellow from Blank
ton-bank messenger-got fifty thou
sand on him in cash and another fifty
in negotiable bonds" ......
The 2:32 came slowly to standstill,
and the passengers streamed out.
Armstrong had not long to wait. A
trim, stylish figure in gray, with skirts
Of ankle length, and two heavy braids
of yellow hair tied in several places,
schoolgirl fashion, with big black
bows, rushed up to him, exclaiming,
''Davie, Davie! Don't you know me,
Davie?" putting up pretty red mouth
to be kissed. ...
Armstrong was surprised. but he
wasn't at all ''slow," and as he walked
away with his pretty sister he decided
that Alice had improved.
Don't wait, Davie," pleaded Alice.
I'm in an awful hurry"
Just a minute. child. Bob wants to
speak to me-" ........ .....
Fooled some way, Dave ....
''Got off somewhere else perhaps"
"No; the 2:32 is express from Blank
tom
"Mr. Tennessee, Alice; my sister.
Miss Armstrong. Bob"
Alice did not offer her hand nor
raise her eyes to Bob's face as she
murmured a faint acknowledgment.
"Will you take a carriage, Davie,
please? 1 am going to the Cunard line
pier The Saxonia leaves at $50, and
/ have engaged a stateroom."
"You are not going alone, Alice"
.'Oh, yes; mamma sent for me. She
is to meet me at Queenstown"
Armstrong, watching her bright
face, thinking it very charming. ex-
claimed suddenly, "Alice, what have
you done to your eyebrows?"
He was shocked at the quick paling
of the girls face.
"Oh, don't scold me, Davie," she
pleaded. I'll had them darkened;
they are so much more becoming,
''Not with your light hair" said
Armstrong shortly. 'They don't look
natural Wash that off as soon as you
can, child, and don't do it again."
There was silence in the carriage
during the rest Of the drive. Alice
sobbed softly behind her handkerchief,
and Armstrong was i'll at ease. Why
wasn't he kind to the child in just this
little hour they were to be together?
Notwithstanding his dim memory Of
her, she seemed to have remembered
him very pleasantly, and she was GER
tainly charmingly affectionate little
thing. He put his arm around her and
drew her head to his breast. .s,
Here you are, STRIP called cabby,
opening the door, "Shall waltz
Eyes. I'm only going to see my sis
ter comfortably aboard"
"Please wait here, Dayie," said Alice
back in just minute"
She was away before he could an
swer. He waited patiently until the
warning came for "All ashore that's
going ashore" A smart looking boy
with closely cropped, black hair, wear
ing trim uniform of blue, with gold
braid on his cap, rushed up to him.
'Your sister was unable to return, Mr..
Armstrong, and sent this note. Hurry,
sir; they are about to lower the plank"
Seated in the hanson, Mr.. Armstrong
hastily reviewed the past hour. He was
annoyed and greatly dissatisfied. He
had disapproved of the elder Arm
strong's marriage, but nothing would
induce him to be other than courteous
to his fathers wife or kind to her
child. He had met his stepmother but
a few times and was really not at all
acquainted with this girl. But she had
frankly affectionate way, and he had
been unwarrantably harsh. Why had
he. allowed that officious boy to hurry
him off the steamer in that way? Poor
little thing, how she had trembled
as he held her against him in the car
riage!
Bob Tennessee was waiting at Arm
Office.
"I'm sour on all the world, Dave"
was his greeting. ITO think should
let that little rascal slip through my
hands! l can't see how it was DONE"
Armstrong wished Bob would go.
He wanted to read Alice's letter.
II spotted that girl when she first
got off the train, but when saw her
make a break for you l knew she
wasn't my bird"
what was the description Arm
strong asked, trying to be polite. ,f..
Bob handed him a telegram slip, and
ne read aloud, Height, five feet five
inches; weight, about $50 pounds; blue
eyes, black hair, brows and lashes;
dark blue, black silk braid;
visored cap with gold braid"