The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-16

get the report or tine muu agent. he Lad
put things to rights and told me that,
though the mail had been pretty badly
mixed up, only one pouch at worst had
been rified. This, the one for registered
mail, had been cut open; but, as If TO
increase the mystery, the letters had
been scattered, unopened, about the car,
only three out of the whole being miss
ing, and those very probably had fall
en- into the pigeonholes and would be
found on a more careful search.
confess I breathed easier TO think
that the road agents had got away with
nothing, and was so pleased that went
back to the wire to send the news of 1T
that the fact might be included in the
press dispatches. The moon had set, and
it was SO dark that had some difficulty
in finding the pole. When I found it,
Miss Cullen was still standing there.
What was more, a man was close beside
her, and as came up l heard her say,
Indignantly:
II will not allow it. 1t is unfair to
take such advantage of me. Take your
arm away or shall call for helpp
That was enough for me. One step
carried my 100 pounds over the inter
sum of the stride to help, I put the fat
Of my hand against the shoulder of the
man and gave him shove. There are
three or four Harvard men who can tell
what that means, and they were braced
for it, which this fellow wasn't. He
went staggering back as if struck by
cowcatcher and lay down on the ground
O good Is feet away. His having his
arm around Miss Cullen's waist un-
steadied her so that she would have
fallen, too, if I hadn't put my hand
against her shoulder. longed to put it
about her, but by this time 1 wanted to
do only what thought she would wish
and so restrained myself.
Before had time to finish an apology
to Miss Cullen the fellow was upon his
feet and came at me with an exclama-
ton of anger. In my surprise at recOg
ulzlng the voice as that or Lord Rallies
I almost neglected to take care of my
self; but, though he was quick with his
fists, I caught him by the wrists as he
closed, and he had no chance after that
against fellow of my weight.
ooh, don't quarrelr' cried Miss Gull
len.
Holding him, I said, Lord Rallies,
overheard what Miss Cullen was saying,
and supposing some man was insulting
her acted as did" Then let go OF
him and, turning, said, Il am very sor-
ry, Miss Cullen, if I did anything the
circumstances did not warrant, while
cursing myself for my precipitancy and
for not thinking that Miss Cullen would
never have been caught in such plight
with man unless she had been halt
willing, for girl does not merely
threaten to call for help if she really
wants aid.
Lord Rallies wasn't much Modified by
my explanation. You're too much liz
a hurry, my man." he growled, speak
ing to me as if I were a servant. BE q
bit more careful in the future.
I think / should have retorted--foI
his manner was enough to make a saint
mad-if Miss Cullen hadn't spoken.
sYou tried to help me, Mr.. Gordon,
and am deeply grateful for that, she
said. The words look simple enough set
down here. But the tone in which she
said them and the extended hand and
the grateful little squeeze she gave my
fingers all seemed to express SO much
that was more puzzled over them than
was over the robbery.