La Junta tribune., 1907-01-05

thaf Ne neglected even ordinary pre-
cautions. Most of us sere keeniy dis
appointed but IL Is too late now How
ever you made a good speech very
good speech. Mr.. Duacan. and you are
still younS-
Allan Duncan left the elevator At the
basement fo1r and went oat AT the
back entrance A few senators and
aumler of visitors were already ahead
Of him. waiting for the green car.
which was just coming in sight
A white haired man was standing
near the line with a girl beside him
As the ear swung toward them the old
mans cane slipped on the edge Of the
asphalt. and he lurched forward and
would have fallen directly in front of
the car only that at the same moment
Duncan. who was sewers; yards away.
made a quick spring. forcing the old
man hack 10 a safe foothold with his
left arm and saving himself from the
threatened fate by throwing his right
foot upon the forward end Of the car
as IL came to a stop beside them. II
was a daring act made with quick eyes
and dependable muscles. but none
knew better than Duncan himself how
Different the ending. might have been.
The old man and the girl. however.
seemed to realize something Of IL. for
their faces were white as they essaysd
to thank him Duncan listened pro
testingiy. The old man he did not even
bear, for lse saw recognition in The
girls face. a recognition In which the
Indignation was forced back 10y her
present gratitude. He mumbled some
words OF deprecation as he assisted the
agitated old man into the car and then
hurrisdly excused himself and sought
. seat At the far end. He did not care
now.
AZ the car ran up r street aud on 60
Fourteenth many Of the passengers
aiishtsd. others got al At the Arlington
and opposite the white House and still
oehers at X after the car turned up
Seventeenth by the time II reached
@ only they three were left Al the
next corner the girl touched buttoa-
The Old man WAS stiIl 90 agitatsd
fvUsn Ats aaevOw eorape that be tsem-
bid as he rose unsseadily 20 his feet.
In a moment Duncan was by his side.
"Allow me 20 help you. ar.- be said
courteousiy. Then a few Doments
later - they reached the pavement, is
your home farT'
'.Ihr~e blocks and down ths next o.
ley" the old man answered.
/ Duncan undss.soo1. and he made
motion for the car 20 go on. The
northwest was the aristocratic part Of
Washington. but three blocks and an
alley thus far beyond X WIS also PR
| sumptive Of economy. lie guided tbe
Old man 20 the sidewalk. The girl fol
lowed, her face full Of doubt. II
Il am afraid this r BOT your place
for leaving the ear" ske .hs<Natcd. u
saw you go past u street yesterday.
and other days you, have bern In slse
same car with us and ecne By
"why. really. had ha4.Ratlcei" with
q half apology In his voirs. "psut then
I am an ai,~entmInded- sort of fellow.
aud when in the car am uuusffy read
| ing or thinking. Easy. easy. my dear
sir ns the old man stumbled little;
lean on me until you feel stronger.
You have had good deal of-er-ex'
citement lately. I am afraid and that
narrow escape af the car was sufficient
| to unnerve any one. You will he all
right again In few hours"
| II am all right now" quaverei the
old man pettishly and as though asham-
ed of bctraying weakness. Il have not
slept any In about a week. and that has
upset me n tsife. We are very much
obliged t. you. sir. but will not intrude
| further on your time"
The old man threw back his shoul-
ders as though for Indignant denial.
but 1t was last effort OF the frail.
overwrought body. He swayed dizzily
| for a moment. then the tired old eyes
| closed In unconsciousness.
But as they did so Duncan's strong
arms closed about the slight form. lift
ing him as though he were a child.
Walk on ahead. miss" he com
manded. "as rapidly as you can. ! Will
keep up. II Is only temporary faint
ness. I think. but we must get your fa-
sAer into his bed ~ quickly M possible.
/ Then I viii telephone for ply sician-"
The girls face had grown white. and
/ after a quick. inquiring glance at her
I father she turned and sped away.
three blocks and down the next alley.
and then the girl fitted a key into a
| door which made Duncan's brows
come together irritably. II was not
economy: IL was poverty.
Ten minutes later he was hurrying
I toward the corner drug store TO tele-
/ phone for a physician. When the ply
.ic.an arrived he was back by the bed
7 side. He watched there that night In
/ spite of the girls protests and against
/ the old mans wishes. when at last the
weak eyelids fiu;tered open and faint
voice insisted that nothing was needed
except an hours rest. and In the morn
| ..=I..I. III. <xi.I .i6.z1-l r1r,c-l silu In