The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-08-29
In the
Cover
By elliot maIksr
Copyright, 1901, by M. Wood

irritation still burned hotly in her
round cheeks, despite the appealing
brown eyes. Her voice was half re-
proachful, half indignant
The operator hesitated, biting his lip.
His face, too, bore traces of wrath.
Their first quarrel had been a sharp
passage, and he, being slower of tongue,
now stood at the door, with an angry
sense Of defeat
A chance for parting stab. He
hoped it would hurt. 1t hurt him more
than he expected.
NO! Pm not" he burst out gruf1y.
Wen skip that, Kate You women
think 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 lower
ing winter evening. Lawson slipped
on the frosty tracks as he glanced up
at the light glazing from the window.
From the heavy, settling sky fakes 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. l wish-no, don't. I'd
rather be here than uncomfortable in
the house with nagging woman. Is
that what | am going to get for ex-
pressing my opinion of mother-in-law's
prospective visit? She shan't GOMEZ
"Hello, jack You're welcome sight
| was getting nervous. Really it's pref
ty poky sitting here alone. Every time
the instrument calls l think, There's
troublev Poor Dickson! Who do you
suppose killed him, Jack = gang or
some ruffian2 All alone in the tower,
never dreaming of such thing, and
then-great heaven l wouldn't take
your job for $40 night. You ought to
have some one with you"
'Pshaw, Harryw Lawson threw off
his coat. You need seasoning, boy.
Dickson's was case of a man who car
ried 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 convenient
to nab him at his table. Tough?
know, but when you've been ten years
in this business one poor devil going
suddenly isn't subject to get nervous
prostration over. The big accidents are
what shake chap"
But the way of 1t, Jack The idea
"Oh, trot along home, lad. I've moth
ing to attract marauders except my
good looks. No one will bother me. Of
ten some fellow drops in fer chat, and
Bourne relieves me at midnight. Much
obliged for your spelling me, Harry.
1t gives me a chance for supper at the
house, and when mans married.
He stopped with shrug of his broad
shoulders, adding in a different tone,
"All clear?"
"All clear. Jack. Everything on time
No. rs went through at Gas. Fast
freight due TO pass in ten minutes.
Goodbye Take care Of yourself"
Likely boy" commented Lawson,
filling his pipe and sitting down Good
as any of 'em already; safe and level
headed. Got nervous, did he? Not the
only one on the line, l guess. We all
carry pop now. must say It's
handy companion
He licked off a message, rose, gazed
out, grinned, felt of his hip pocket and
scowled
Thunder he exclaimed. 81 forgot
1t. Confound Kate! She drove every
thing out of my head
Nothing but his good looks" The
man who stepped inside half hour
later TO greet the operator cordially and
to seat himself ungracefully was not In
search Of money.
Lawson supposed Sharpson was
lover it." Lately the disappointed low
er had appeared very friendly, even to
calling twice at the house Kate had
the way Sharpson had acted before
the wedding, but his eccentric temper
only rendered him a butt for ridicule.
A short thickset, slouching man, black,
of sparse beard and small close set
eyes, he held but sorry chances. in the
lists with John Lawson. 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 daughter Six
months now and the wrath of Sharpson
forgotten.
bad night" remarked that gentle
man, brushing his sleeves. Thought
I'd drop in a moment and warm up be-
fore my tramp
Where are you bound for? 'Tisn't
much of a night for walk"
Fright it amt Oh. I've got to go
clear out to Dashell's. He's sick, and
Pm on his job. Some things wanted
to ask him.
"That's lonely stretch: blamed
lonesome road, Seth. You go by that
Polish settlement. don't your Say.
they're an uneasy gang, all down on
everybody connected with the road.
Better wait till tomorrow / would"
Cant do it." he complained. wish
could. but l must report to the boss
at 5 a. IN. AS you say. Jack. 1t amt
safe for one of us fellers to go trait
ing out there in the dark I've III
weapon either. Say, I'll be back by
IL o'clock. You couldn't spare me your
gun till then. could you? l suppose
you've got one"
seth, left the blame thing at home,
Came away in hurry and never
thought Of it. Too bad. OF course
I'd have lent it to you. Been glad to.
Go around to the house and ask Kate
for It,"
head NO. said he, ITS a fifteen
minute walk and out of my way. I'll
step along. guess, and take my
chances before it gets later. The wind
is rising, from the way those wires
hum I'll be going, Jack, and maybe
drop in on my return. You're lucky
dog to be housed and warm. I'll think
of you when I'm ruhT;ing my ears
He laughed strangely, turned up the
collar of his heavy ulster, nodded and
departed.
Outside Sharpson did not start in
the direction of Dashell's remote home
Instead he picked his way across the
tracks and climbed into an empty ear.
They'll meet me here" he growled.
"I've luck for once"
An hour later Lawson turned as the
door opened softly.
"Katev he cried. startled. Whats
the matter"
''I've brought your pistol. Jack. l