The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-21
THE EVENING Story
Answering the can.
BY Dorothy Glenn. }

night. The south bound express was
| already overdue. AS soon as the long
train of coaches had Numbered past he
could close UP and go home.
Going home" meant a dash across
| the sodden field to where he had
1 pltcned his tent for the summer. Jack
Bailey, the regular operator at Haddon
Junction, owned a tiny house, one
tIement about the place, but Howard
Forsythe preferred the tent for the
summer and so the house was shut up.
Hard work had kept Howard For
sythe in bad health all winter, and the
physician had advised camping. he
had pleaded the necessity of earning
sufficient money to enable him to COM
plete his senior year at college, anu
SO the. doctor had suggested Haddon
Junction. Bailey was to be married
and was going out West on his money ~
moon. He expected to be gone al
summer and was glad to have maj Il
take his place who would be Wiling 10
give it up in the fall
Matters were arranged DetWeen
Bailey and the train dispatcher, and
ever since the college year had closed
Howard Forsythe had reported lne
trains on the main line and the httle
twenty-five mile spur that gave liie
Junction it's name.
There were dreary times between
and Howard spent q part OF HIS ~
sure in talking to Lottfe Bay1ss, the
agent in il. Green River, the first stop
on the branch line Lottie was cous-
in of Mrs. Fyce, who lived at the Junc-
ton, and it was her custom TO run
down on her bicycle after her once
was closed as soon as the s1x-tnlrty-
seven had gone up.
She found the station more inter-
esting than her cousin, and before the
middle of August she was wearing the
ring that Howard had ordered from
town. They were not to be married
until Howard had graduated, but the
thought was an incentive to the man,
and the days sped all too rapioly' until
the inevitable lovers quarrel.
That had occurred three days before
and I,ottie had not been down to the
Junction since. 1t was for tnat rea-
son, rather than because OF the Delateo
train, that Howard scowled into the
ia t.lvness as he looked down the track.
At last the headlight cleaned
family through the deluge growing
brighter. until with roar the tram
swept past. Howard reported the tram
to the dispatcher's office and prepared
IN close the station. He was just slip
ming into his raincoat when the instru-
ment on the Hampton line began to
click out his call, and without waiting
for a reply went on.
ST am alone in the station and rob-
bers are trying to blow open the safe
I am tied to a chair and cannot es-
cape. Come to my assistance"
Howard groaned. 1t was eight miles
to Green River and through the pelt-
ing storm he could not make it in less
than twenty minutes. Perhaps he
would be too late.
He ran to the shed where the track
bicycle was stored and ran 1T out upon
the rails. There was no use to carry
the raincoat He threw it in the shed,
together with his coat and vest, and,
making sure that his revolver was in
his pocket he stepped into the seat 1t
was I'D grade all the way to Green
Island, but the tracks were wet enough
to hold the wheels, and Howard bent
to his work. He had gained in health
since he had come to the Junction,
and no freshman working TO make the
f'eight" had ever bent his back to his
work as did Howard Forsythe speed
ing to the rescue of the girl he loved.
He was drenched to the skin, and /
the driving rain nearly blinded him,
but he fought his way between the
teeth of the half gale that was blow
ing, and at last the lights of Green
Island came into sight and encour-
aged him to make final squirt. With
a rush he drew into the station and
sprang from the bicycle. The station
was dark and apparently deserted.
AS quietly as he could Howard crept |
about the platform peering into the |
windows. He could see no sign of life
and at last he sought to force the /
doors in the belief that the robbery |
must have been accomplished. He
was still working upon the lock, when |
1 heavy hand fell upon his shoulder.
"Get yel'' was the triumphant excla-
nation. "Stole a track velocipede, did |
yer? Coin to rob all the stations in
he rain? Well, there's one consta-
Die that knows his duty
Are you the constable ?" demanded |
Howard. The other flashed his star
With a gesture of pride, and Howard /
vent on.
"I am the operator from the juno
ion. 1 had a message from Miss Bay
ISIS. She te1egraphed that she was in
rouble. and I came to her assistance"
81 guess Lottie Bayliss don't have to
,all on the Junction for no help while
I'M here" was the rejoinder. "Lottie
lever sent no message like that. That's
90 thin a story, young fellow"
But it is true" Forsythe persisted.
Force the door and you will find her
led to chair. There have been rob-
,ers here already"
The constable grinned.
you wont to tell me that she's tied
o a chair? 1 was over to Glenn Bay
ISIS tonight Jest came away from |
here. Lottie said goodnight to me.
,ome along now"
Are you going to take me to the
all ?" Forsythe demanded.
That's what I be- was the answer
n uncompromising tones.
Twill you stop at the Bayliss's on
he way there?" he begged 'aIt will |
My take a moment, and Miss Bayliss
viii identify me-"
The constable paused, uncertainty
tut at last he decided to grant the re-
uest and he led Howard up the trim
Talk through the Bayliss garden.
ST caught this young fellow trying
0 break into the station. He declared
hat Lottie telegraphed him to come
p" he explained to his recent host.
Lottie came into the hall at that
loment. T.
81 did not telegraph for Mr.. For
ythe," she said coldly. ct have not ;
cen in the station all evening"
But you did, persisted Howard. ,
You telegraphed me that you were I
eund to a chair in the station and !