The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-03-07
A''..:'e!::'p..s ve::pS, Romance
BY LESLIE w. oURK
&
BY LESLIE w. oUIRK.

of Lois presently broke the breathless
silence.
"Aunt Rebecca thinks I am crazy"
it said. Perhaps 1 am, but it is not
because l talk to my phonograph all
the time, but because they are taking
me away from you. Somehow, Frank,
l feel that you will follow us. l do
not know where we go from here, but
you may be able to learn from the
ticket agent. We leave at $50 to-mor-
row "wednesday morning"
That was all. But it was the voice
of Lois, and it cheered me and filed
me with fresh determination. 1 shut
my lips firmly and swore that l would
follow the two cunts and Lois through
every country on earth rather than
lose the girl.
"Think / can remember everybody
that buys tickets" growled the agent
at the station when 1 accosted him for
information. 1 cursed him for a fool.
1t was evident that the aunts were
using Lois money for bribes.
1t seemed that l was off the trail at
the very start. But the porter of the
parlor car of the $50 train the next
morning set me right
"Am yo' name Frank BomerT' he
asked, eying me as l boarded his
train.
When l had assured him that it was
he handed me a package.
"From a pow'ful scared GAL" he
chuckled.
1 unrolled the Photographic record.
With the sight of it came the awful
recollection that 1 had forgotten my
pronograph.
The situation was appalling. Here
was within sound of Lois voice, but to
all intents as deaf to it as a man with
out ears. True. 1 could buy another
| phonograph when the train reached the
city, but the chances were hundred
| to one that the aunts would bundle
Lois off at some little junction close at
| hand
Again the porter came to my aid.
He had been walking past me several
| times as 1 sat thinking, and was evil
IDENTIFY deeply curious as to the con-
tents of the package he had given me.
Now he stopped by my seat.
DAT part of phon'raph, sah?" he
asked, looking at the record.
"Yes," explained; at represents the
vocal organs"
He grlnned. cam yo' de owner of
the phon-raph in de 'spress car?"
l felt the hot blood rush to my head.
| Salvation was at my back
1t required some judicious tipping
and lordly airs TO gain access to the
baggage car and secure possession of
the phonograph. But when love backs
a man, even a do-nothlng can accom-
plish wonders, while an ordinary be-
ing-well, 1 wound the machine and
waited for the voice of my sweet
heart.
This is the most momentous day OF
my whole life," came the clear tones
of Lois. 1T is my birthday, and l am
no longer girl. To-day l am of age
free to marry whom 1 please. If you
find me, Frank, l will become your
wife at once. l hope the promise will
spur you on. We stop tonight al
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?"
asked the conductor, after l was back
in the parlor car.
"Just passed it," he growled.
l looked out of the window ant
found that the train was bowling alonl
at too great speed to jump. Spring
ing to my feet whipped at the bel
cord. The conductor turned with al
oath and signaled to go ahead. The
train had barely slackened speed.
1t was time for prompt and vigorous
action. Grasping the bell cord once
more pulled it sharply, and then, be
fore the official with the ticket puncl
could object. pinioned him TO seat
This time the train came to full stop
When l dropped Off the rear plat
form and started back up the track
dare say l left a car full of astonishet
people. l know | left blaspheminl
conductor and the i'll wishes of creM
whose train, had been delayed two
precious minutes. But what does {
man care for hades when he is chasing
heaven?
There is no need OF detailing the
steps by which l traced the record IL
, Rugby. The station master pointed
out the cab driver, who in turn led m'
| 10 the hotel clerk. Lois had evidently
! been given the key Of the room to de
liYer when they went, and had takei
: the opportunity of presenting also thu
, photographic record, with instructions
) to turn 1t over to me.
| When had purchased a new phono
[ graph, l found that Lois message con
: tanned but one short sentence:
D 1--WE are going to LNighton," she tol'
? me.
t II was the last day of June when m,
: train reached Leighton. Rain was fall
ing in perfect torrents, and the Mis-
= souri, River already looked ugly AM
e swollen. Housed in a comfortabl
: hotel, with four reproductions of Lois
e cheering talks, watched the rain pou
down day by day. The weather wa
a at one with my mood, for try as
might, I could find no new record fror
& the girl.
Bit by bit the river rose. Shantie
> and lighthouses on the banks of tn
Missouri were caught in the mad swiI
NJ - n.