The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-31

the pnOn Srapn Tn de SpreSS carr
 I felt the hot blood rush to my head. Salvation was at my back.
 It required some judicious tipping and lordiy airs to gain access to the baggage car and secure possession of the phonograph. But when love backs a man even a do-nothing can accom- plish wonders, while an ordinary be- ing-well I wound the machine and waited for the voice of my sweetheart
 This is the most momentous day of
 my whole life,'' came the clear tones of Lois. Tt is my birthday, and I am no longer a girl. Today I am of age, free to marry whom I please. If you find me, Frank, I will become your wife at once. I hope the promise will spur you on. We stop tonight at Rugby The voice ended abruptly, and fan cied the aunts must have disturbed the girl as she was talking into the phono- graph.
 HOW far from here is Rugby" I asked the conductor, after I was back in the parlor car.
 Just passed It. he growled. looked oat of the window and found that the train was bowling along at too great a speed to jump. spdinging to my feet I whipped at the bell cord. The conductor turned with an oath and sienalled to go ahead. The train had barley slackened speed.
 It was a time for prompt and vigo-
 rous action. Grasping the bell cord once more I pulled it sharply and then, before the official with the ticket punch could object I pinioned him to a seat. This time the train came to a full stop.
 When l dropped off the rear plat form and started back up the track I dare say I left a car full of astonished people. I knew left blasphening com ductor and the i'll wishes of a crew
 whose train had been delayed two pre- cious minutes. But what does a man care for hades when he Is chasing heaven?
 There is no need of detailing the stepts by which I traced the record in Rugby. The station master pointed out the cab driver. who in turn led me to the hotel clerk. Lois had evidently been given the key of the room to de- liver when they went and had taken the opportunity of presenting also the photographic recordd, with instruct ions to turn 1t over to me.
 When had purchased a new phonog- raph I found that Lois message con- tained but one short sentence.
 We are going to Leighton" she
 told me. T
 It was the last day of June when my train reached Leighton. Rain was falling in perfect torrents. and the Missouri River already looked ugly and swollen. Housed in a comfortable hotel. with four reproductions of Lois heering talks, I watched the rain pour
 down day by day. The weather was at l one with my mood. for try as I might. I could find no new record from the girl. ~- Bit by bit the river rose Shanties and boat houses on the banks of the | Missouri were caught in the mad
 swirl and swept down stream. But
 still the water crept- higher and high CT.
 And then one night the railroad
 bridge trembled and finally gave away,
 cutting off all connection with the | country beyond.
 dawned clear For the first time I
 my further actions. The Post Office
 caught my eve. and. half jokingly. I
 asked for mail I was given Q phono- graphic record!
 1 Dear Frank" said Lois voice, when
 had fitted the record oh the cylinder
 ot my machine, T think there is a
 chance to overtake us. We got from l here to Berryville. just across the l river, where Aunt Sarah says we shall | stay for several days. mail this be- | cause Aunt Rebecca has become sus- pisious of the phonograph. I saw her | talking with the hotel clerk, and am sure she was warning him not to give anything to you should you be follow