The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-22


of the sleepy clerk.
Guess not" lie grunted. studying
the register.
I'll take it them" I announced. hur-
riedly.
Before he was through insisting that
single person could find no use for a
room with two beds in it had thrown
a bill on the counter and wos halfway
upstairs.
In a drawer Of the dresser found
the record for which was searching.
Without seconds delay slipped It
on the phonograph I carried. The voice
of Lois presently broke the breathless
silence.
"Aunt Rebecca thinks I am crazy"
it said. "Perhaps am. but it is not
because I talk to my phonograph all
the time. but because they are taking
me- away from you. Somehow, Frank,
I feel that you will follow us. I do
not know where We 50 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 1t was the voice
of Lois. and it cheered me and filled
me with fresh determine ton. I shut
my lips firmly and swore that would
follow the two ::unts and Lois through
every country on earth rather than
lose the girl.
Think 1 can remember everybody
that buys tickets:" growled the agent
at the station when I accosted him for
information. cursed him for fool.
1t was evident that the aunts were
using Lois money for bribes.
1t seemed that I 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.
cam yo' name Frank Bomer:" he
asked, eying me as I boarded his
train.
When had assured him that it was
he handed me package.
'From a pow'ful scared GAL" he
chuckled.
I unrolled the photographic record.
With the sight Of it came the awful
recollection that I 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. I could buy another
phonograph when the train reached the
city, but the chances We're 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 I sat thinking. and was evi,,
dently deeply curious as to the con-
tents of the package he had given me.
Now he stopped by my seat.
Dat part Of a phon'raph, sab" he
asked, looking at the record.
YES" explained; lit represents the
vocal organs"
He grinned. cam 20 de owner of
the phon-raph in de 'spress carr"
eelt 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 q do-nothing can accom-
plish wonders, while. an ordinary be-
ing-well. 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 I am
no longer a girl. To-day 1 am Of age.
free to marry whom please. If you
find me, Frank. I will become your
wife at once. 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:' l
asked the conductor, after l was back
in the parlor car.
"Just passed it, he growled.
I looked out of the window and
found that the train was bowling along
at too great speed to jump. Spring
ing to my feet 1 whipped at the bell
cord. The conductor turned with an
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 punch
could object. pinioned him to seat.
This time the train came to full stop.
When I dropped off the rear plat
form and started back up the track
dare say left car full of astonished
people. I know I left blaspheming
conductor and the i'll wishes Of a crew
whose train had been delayed two
precious minutes. But what does a
man care for hades when he is chasing
heaven?
There is no need of detailing the
| e+ane hv which I traced the record in