Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-24
CHAPTER TX.
A Talk Before Breakfast.


Looking at my watch, i found it was
little after 8, which meant in Washing
ton; allowing for transmission, telegram
would reach there in time to be on hand
with the opening of the departments.
therefore wired at once to the following
effect:
Postmaster General. Washington, D. c.
peremptory mandarnus has been issued
by territorial judge to compel me to deliver
to addressee the three registered letters
which by your directions, issued October
16, 1 was to hold pending arrival of
Special Agent Jackson. Service of writ
will be made at 3:45 today unless pre-
vented. Telegraph me instructions how to
act"
That done had good tub took brisk
walk down the track and felt so freshened
up to be none the worse for NY sleepless
night l returned to the station little
after 8, and, to my surprise, found Miss
Cullen walked up and down the platform.
you are up early!3 We both said to-
gether.
yes" she sighed. II couldn't sleep last
night
you're not unwell, I HOPPER
"No-except mentally
l looked a question, and she went on: Il
have worries, and then last night l
saw you were all keeping some bad news
from me, and SO ] couldn't Sleep"
Then we did wrong to make mystery
of it, Miss Cullen" I said 'for it really
isn't anything to trouble about Mr.. Camp
is simply taking legal steps to try to force
me to deliver those letters to him..
And can he SucceedT
mo"
How will you stop him?'
II don't know yet just what we shall
do, but if worse comes to worse 1 will
allow myself to be committed for contempt
of court
What would they do with your"
Give me free board for time
Not send you to prison?"
Yes"
"Oh!" she cried that mustn't be- You
must not make such sacrifice for u.s.
I'D do more than that for you, 1 said,
and couldn't help putting little empha-
sis on the last word, though / knew 1 had
no right to do it.
She understood me, and blushed rosily,
even while she protested, 1T is too
much
rupted, of my being able to assume
martyrs crown, Miss Cullen; so don't begin
to pity me till I'm behind the bars
But l can't bear to think
Don't" 1 interrupted again. rejoicing
all the time at her evident anxiety, and
blessing my stars for the lnck they had
brought me. why, Miss Cullen" went
on i've become so interested in your sue
cess and the licking of those fellows that I
really think I'd stand about anything
rather than that they should win. Yester-
day, when Mr.. Camp threatened to-"
Then l stopped, as 1t suddenly occurred
to me that 1t was best not to tell Madge
that I might lose my position for it would
besides, would only add to her worries.
Threatened what?' asked Miss Cullen
Threatened to lose his temper" l an
swered.
You know that wasn't what you were
going to say Madge said reproachfully.
mo, it wasn't | laughed
Then what was it?'
Nothing worth speaking about"
"But / want to know what he threat
ened."
Really, Miss Cullen 1 began; but she
interrupted me by saying anxiously:
He can't hurt papa, can he?'
mo- / replied.
'Or my brothers?"
HE can't touch any of them without
my help. And he'll have to work to get
that. l suspect"
manded Miss Cullen. Your refusal makes
me think you are keeping back some dan
ger to them"
why, Miss Cullen said, II didn't like
to tell this threat, because it seemed-well,
1 may be wrong, but l thought it might
look like an attempt-an appeal-Oh,
pshaw" l faltered, like a donkey-"I can't
say it as l want to put it.
"Then tell me right out what he threat
ened, begged Madge.
He threatened to get me discharged"
That made Madge look very sober, and
for a moment there was silence. Then she
said:
Il never thought of what you were risk
ing to help us, Mr.. Gordon. And I'm
afraid it's too late to-
Don't worry about me- / FASTENED to
interject Pm long way from being dis
charged and, even if I should be, Miss
Cullen, | know my business, and it won't
be long before have another place"
But it's terrible to think of the injury
we may have caused you,' sighed Madge,
sadly. ut makes me hate the thought of
money!
That's very poor thing to hate"
said, Except the lack of It,"
Are you so anxious to get rich?' asked
Madge, looking up ui-I1iss- ssfi..sckly. as we
walked.-for we had been pacing UP and
down the platform during our chat.
Il haven't been till lately"
And what made you changer she
questioned.
Well" 1 said, fishing around for some
reason other than the true one, perhaps l
want to take a rest 1.
You are the worst man for fibs 1 ever
knew she laughed.
felt myself getting red, while 1 ex-
claimed. why, Miss Cullen, never set up
for George Washington, but 1 don't think
LIN bit worse llar than nine men in"
oh" she cried, fnterruptfng me, Il
didn't mean that way meant that when
you try to ffb you always do it so badly
that one sees right through YOU Now,
acknowledge that you wouldn't stop work
If you coud?'
We'll. no. | wouldn't owned up.
''The truth is, Miss Cullen, that I'd like
to be rich,. because-well, hang 1t, / don't
care if do say it-because I'm in love-"
Madge laughed at my confusion, and
asked with money!
No. said with just the incest.
sweetest prettiest girl in the world
Madge looked at me out of the corner
of her eye, and remarked, 1T must be
breakfast time
Considering that it was about $3.50. I
wanted to ask who was telling a taradiddle
now; but | resisted the temptation and
replied:
mo. And / promise not to bother you
about my private affairs any more.
Madge laughed again merrily, saying,
You are the most obvious man ever met.
Now why did you say that?"
Il thought you weresmaking breakfast an
excuse, ] said, because you didn't like
the subject"
Yes, / was, said Madge. frankly. Tell
me about the girl You are engaged to"
/ was 50 taken aback that ! stopped in
my walk and merely looked at her
For Instance" She asked coolly, when
she saw that 4 was speechless. what does
She look like *