The Monticellonian., 1905-03-09

pie? He was to have led the cotillion, you know, but he fluuked Nobody knew why, and he never told a soul. Everybody wondered especially when he kept the thing up-went off night after night-until his hostess must have been in a fine humor with him. And now it develops that he was work- ing to save young Voelker, a nice enough chap from Cleveland, who lost his head over a woman as old as" He paused. Smiles dangled not readi- ly at the end of his conversational line. Well. old enough" he said.
 How did it develop, Mir Fuller?"
 How? Not through Robinson, you may be sure. It developed through the boy himself. I met him as he was leav- ing for home. He says Robinson has saved his honor. You see, he was en- gagged to a mighty nice girl down there, but he lost his head Curious how some people form the habit, isn't it? hope you never lose your head, Miss Rabb."
 I'm afraid l always keep it, Mir Fuller. But about this mysterious affair How did MT. Robinson happen to be interested?"
 "Oh, he knew"
 'The woman?"
 Robbie Fuller shook his head. Wrong" he said; try again"
 'The boy, then" she pursued, petu- lantly.
 You are right, the boy They had been friends somewhere-the boy and his family and Robinson"
 Do you think you could get me to Petoskey in time for that Mackinac train?' she asked sweetly.
 You are going away?"
 'No-I should like to keep some one else from going" she said, with a charming flush; some one have been doing great wrong''
 He stared at her 8 moment before perception dawned, then a smile, know ing and approving, creased the tan of his face. He sat up, and swept off his hat. T will see that you do, Miss Rabb," said he and bent himself to the task.
 The passengers were all aboard. and the conductor was ready to give the signal to be off, when they hurried along the station platform.
 "Pll ask the conductor to hold the train minute and you rush ahead and find him." he panted.
 She sped along the platform, and porter seeing her, went to meet her. "Mackinac?' he questioned
 She nodded. and he swung her to the steps of car before she could protest Robinson, probably put there by fate, was at the very door of the car. and seeing her pretty. flushed face and her evident distress, hurried out to her.
 Were you-what is it, Isabel?9 he asked
 She stared straight at his tie; beyond that some2ow she could not lift her eyes. The bell rang, the porter said something to her, and the people in the ear were looking at them with cu- riosity.
 Wasn't it foolish to suppose the summer over because of one-of one little frost?" she said. and smiled. The smile alone would have done it.
 He caught up his bag, and they dropped from the car together.
 A second later the conductor rushed past them, and the train was off. From the crowd of tourists and eottagers emerged Robbie Fuller. flushed but tri- umphant, his cap rakishly awry. mis- chief and congratulation in his eyes.
 Well" said he, Eve did it, Robin son, but it took heroic measures. The conductor of that train is as unreason- able and unsympathetic a chap as ever saw. He was for moving right off Said it wasn't anything to him whether the lady found her-ah. friend or not; that his train had got to pull out on time. What could you do with a fellow like that 2"
 What did you do?" asked the girl.
 q put my arms about him. and held him good and proper When the lady comes down those steps with the gen. tleman at her side you can start your train any time you've a mind to-. said; but if you signal it off before, you stay here. sec? And" he added. with laugh, as he set his cap straight and possessed himself of the bag. "I guess he aw."-Woman's Home Con- panion.